Vintage Hair Scarf Styles – How to Wear Vintage Nylon Chiffon Scarves • The Dapper Dahlia

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As the weather heats up I start to look for more vintage-inspired ways to wear my hair up, so today I’m sharing my favorite vintage hair scarf styles to wear during summer. I love wearing vintage hair scarves, especially nylon scarves since they hold their shape and don’t slip as much as silk scarves do. Nylon scarves are also incredibly versatile. There are many ways to wear them, but I’ve picked my four favorite ways to wear vintage nylon scarves in your hair.

I recently extended my love for collecting vintage items by opening The Dapper Dahlia Shop on Etsy. In my shop you’ll find unique pieces of vintage clothing and accessories for looking dapper every day, including vintage scarves for sale, both nylon and silk.

In the photos in this post I show how to wear vintage nylon scarves using some of the scarves from my shop (as I write this, all have sold except for the green one but I’ll be adding more soon–very exciting and I am so, so grateful!).

About 1950s nylon scarves

Nylon scarves were a popular accessory for women in the 1950s. They are also often called chiffon scarves (chiffon is a sheer fabric that can be woven from natural or synthetic textiles, including silk, nylon and polyester; I recommend this MasterClass article on chiffon fabric for more information).

The scarves are square in shape and sheer, giving them an effortlessly romantic look. They come in all kinds of colors and are usually a single color, though I’ve come across gradient patterns as well.

Nylon scarves were worn tied around the neck or over the head and wrapped around the neck to protect hairstyles during a drive or daytime outing.

Where to buy vintage nylon scarves

You might find vintage nylon scarves at your local vintage stores or on eBay, if you prefer shopping online. Every now and then I’m lucky enough to find a few fabulous vintage scarves at an estate sale or even at thrift stores.

However, you can’t always be sure you’ll stumble across vintage scarves, especially scarves in good condition, while you’re out thrift shopping. That’s why I love Etsy. It’s a treasure trove of amazing vintage shops that sell all sorts of fabulous pieces, including vintage scarves.

How to wear vintage nylon scarves

Scarves are one of my favorite vintage accessories to collect since there are so many ways to wear them! You can wear them tied around your neck or experiment with vintage hair scarf styles. Here are my four favorite ways to wear them:

Vintage hair scarf style #1: Wrapped over the head

Perhaps the chicest way to wear a nylon scarf is to wear it wrapped over the head. This will only work well with larger square scarves closer to 30 inches wide. To get this look:

Start by folding the scarf in half, matching one point to the point across from it so the scarf forms a triangle.
Place the scarf on top of your head with the straight folded end near your forehead and the pointed end hanging down across the back of your head.
Wrap each side end under your chain and across your neck. You could leave it at that or tie the ends together behind your neck for extra security. You may also want to pin the sides in place near your ears if you’re planning on a windy drive.

This look also reminds me of Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. Midge’s wardrobe is so dreamy! By the way, if you’re watching the show while stuck at home during the pandemic, you should play my Marvelous Mrs. Maisel drinking game while you’re at it.

Vintage hair scarf style #2: Tied under the chin

If you’re inspired by Jackie O’s iconic style, this is the look for you. Tied under the chin may also maybe the easiest way to wear a vintage nylon scarf. To get this look:

Fold the scarf in half, matching one point to the point across from it so the scarf forms a triangle.
Place the scarf on top of your head with the straight folded end near your forehead.
Take the two side ends and tie them together under your chin. I think this looks lovely with the hair up or down.

Alternately, you could tie the scarf under your hair at the nape of your neck. This style is also cute with a bandana scarf!

Vintage hair scarf style #3: Tied as a headband with loose ends

Instead of purchasing a new headband, you can use a nylon scarf as a headband. This look works better with a square scarf closer to 21 to 26 inches wide. To get this look:

Fold the scarf in half, matching one point to the point across from it so the scarf forms a triangle.
Bring the top triangle point down to meet the bottom fold so you have a trapezoid shape.
Continue to fold the scarf until it’s as thick as you want your headband to be.
Place the middle of the headband on the back of your neck and bring the pointed ends up. Tie once at the top to secure. Continue tying until the ends are the length you want.

Try the nylon scarf headband with a ponytail, a half-up style or with your hair down. You can also leave the tie in the middle or twist it toward one side of your head.

Vintage hair scarf style #4: Worn as a headband and tied in a bow

Adding a bow to the scarf headband makes it extra cute! To get this look:

Fold the scarf in half, matching one point to the point across from it so the scarf forms a triangle.
Bring the top triangle point down to meet the bottom fold so you have a trapezoid shape.
Continue to fold the scarf until it’s as thick as you want your headband to be.
Place the middle of the headband on the back of your neck and bring the pointed ends up. Tie once to secure then tie into a bow.
Take the edges of the looped pieces of the bow and gently pull them outward to widen and shape.

Other ways to wear nylon scarves

In addition to vintage hair scarf styles, you can also wear nylon scarves around your neck, tie them around a handbag handle or draped across your shoulders as a shawl if the scarf is large enough.

Classic vintage scarf style: Worn tied around the neck

In lieu of jewelry, you can wear a vintage nylon scarf tied around your neck. You can try this with all lengths of scarves. To get this look:

Fold the scarf in half, matching one point to the point across from it so the scarf forms a triangle.
Bring the top triangle point down to meet the bottom fold so you have a trapezoid shape.
Continue to fold the scarf until it’s as thick as you want it to be.
Situate the scarf to one side of your neck with the two scarf sides equal in length. Tie the scarf around your neck and knot a second time to secure.

If you enjoyed these vintage hair scarf styles, save this page to Pinterest!