From necklines to waistlines, transform your scarves into a chic waist belt this season

One unexpectedly basic accessory is making a big comeback in a season when fashion is happily erasing boundaries between the past and present, and it's not where you'd expect it to. Introducing the scarf-as-a-waist-tie trend, a modern twist on an outdated item that can be worn with lehengas, power suits, and slip dresses.

We've tied scarves to our totes, wrapped them around our necks, and worn them in our hair. Now, though? Their time is at the waist, where they may be knotted, cinched, or draped to bring a little character to even the most basic of ensembles.

The beginning of it all

Despite its current popularity, this tactic is not new. Scarves, which were frequently wrapped low on the hips or around the waist to create a freewheeling, layered charm, were a mainstay for bohemian superstars like Brigitte Bardot, Stevie Nicks, and Talitha Getty during the free-spirited 1960s and 1970s.

You'll notice it once more in the early 2000s, when it was a part of the wild Y2K layering trend, when breaking fashion laws was the norm. However, this trend feels different in 2025. It's more fashionable, more deliberate, and unquestionably more adaptable.
 
Why it's everywhere right now

Accessories are becoming an effective means of self-expression thanks to post-pandemic fashion. We now dress to play, to tell a story, and to feel something instead of only for practical reasons.

Scarves are airy, flowing, and often nostalgic pieces of fabric, so it makes sense that they are making a comeback.

Tying a scarf around your waist is the simplest way to add flair to an outfit without making a big effort, especially with trends like coastal granny, scarf dressing, and boho revival popular on TikTok and Pinterest.

Designers are on board, too. Jacquemus, Etro, and Zimmermann all showed scarves knotted at the waist on the Spring/Summer 2025 runways — over skirts, shorts, swimsuits, and even tailored separates. Closer to home, Indian designers like Payal Singhal and Saaksha & Kinni are weaving scarves and dupattas into modern silhouettes, proving that this is a global moment with Indian-ness at its core. 

The scarf-as-a-waist-tie look can be styled in five easy ways:

1. Over a dress

Wrap a flowing midi dress in a scarf made of silk or cotton. It provides your ensemble a pop of colour or print in addition to adding definition.

2. Wearing denim

Tie a patterned scarf off to the side after passing it through the belt loops of your pants. Imagine off-duty, laid-back model energy.

(Also Read: Make pearls the ultimate fashion statement of the season)

3. Swimwear cover

Plans for a poolside? Over your bikini bottoms, tie a sheer scarf around your waist like a sarong. You'll look fantastic if you put on some large sunglasses.

4. Over-tailoring

Want to soften a sharp blazer or a co-ord set? A scarf belt adds contrast, personality, and that “I’ve got style without trying” look.
 
More than just a styling tip, the scarf-as-waist-tie trend serves as a reminder that clothing should be fun, expressive, and incredibly personal. Sometimes all you need is a lovely scarf and a little imagination to totally reinvent a look in a society that is preoccupied with bright trends and quick cuts. It is evidence that reinvention is not necessary. Literally, just a different spin.

(Also Read: Ranbir Kapoor's luxury closet is every collector's dream)

Text by Tanisha Sawhney

Edited by Sabrina Mathews