Fabrics used for scarves

Scarf, that piece of fabric worn around the neck, for fashion or comfort, comes in many sizes, fabrics and styles.  All of them are equally gorgeous but some of them are more of a favorite than others. Here I have tried to distinguish my favorite types of scarves according to the fabric used, the prints and patterns on it, and the trims attached to embellish them. 

If you are looking for classification of the scarves according to their style/size you may want to check out this post – Scarf size and measurements

Different types of scarves

1. Cotton scarves

Cotton is always a favourite as a dressmaking fabric but for lightweight scarves you need a thin cotton fabric. Thin printed or plain cotton, like voile is used to make pretty scarves. 

Because of the lightweight nature of these fabrics, they are great as summer accessories. They stay in place and are great for tying in various styles. You can pleat them and press them in a specific style and they will stay put. If you want an embroidered scarf cotton is game for that too. And they are available in all the colors you want. 

Related post :Different types of cotton; Voile fabric.

Check out the 12 different ways of tying a scarf 

2. Chiffon scarves

Chiffon fabric is lightweight, drapey, thin – all the better to tie around the neck without any bulk. You can add trims like lace at the short ends alone or all along the four sides. The chiffon scarf makes you look all feminine and ethereal. You can choose between brightly printed or pastel colored – they are all there. 

Only disadvatage I can see for chiffon scarves is that it slips off your body easily, especially the wider ones. And you cannot pin it on – chiffon is too delicate for pinning.

Related post : Chiffon fabric 

3. Net scarves 

Net fabrics are ideal for making scarves. You will have to choose fine and smooth net fabric like tulle instead of scratchy synthetic nets. Trims like sequins, chains or laces can be added to the edges. Embroidered net is my favourite – the embroidery stands out and it is as if you are wearing only embroidery around your neck. 

Check out this post on the different types of net fabrics

4. Silk Scarves

Silk is an expensive choice for scarves but they have a luxurious aura. Hand-painted silk scarves are much in demand, but will cost you a bomb, especially the branded ones. With silks, you have a choice of crispy silk scarves and flowy ones.

Silk Habotai scarves are affordable, flowy and great looking  – they can be dyed in bright colors. You can also paint on them using the many kits available for silk painting. 

Related post: Different types of silk. 

5. Cashmere scarves / Pashmina scarves

If you are giving me a choice between all kinds of scarves, I will choose a cashmere scarf or a Pashmina scarf. The Pashmina scarf is a beautiful hand-woven cashmere scarf. It is the ultimate in luxury. It is difficult to get hold of original cashmere shawls. You can easily be duped. Cashmere/pashmina is expensive, so do not buy it if you feel that you are getting it cheap – it surely is a duplicate. 

Cashmere fabric is a little picky – I mean, they are delicate, and you need to take care of them. But the look and feel of cashmere fabric are worth it. It is also very warm. And drapey. Overall the best scarf ever. 

Learn more about Pashmina and taking care of cashmere fabric here

6. Velvet scarves

Velvet is a heavy thick fabric with pile so using the whole width of the fabric as a scarf is absolutely not a good idea. Thin tube scarves in velvet are ideal. Silk velvet fabric is very luxurious and drapey. 

7. Wool scarf

Wool is always a winter scarf. And wool scarves which are drapey and lightweight is much in demand to fight against the cold. You can choose a muted colored stylish plaid wool scarf this winter to feel warm and still look cool.

8. Bandana scarf

A bandana is a square piece of printed cotton with a nice border and interesting prints. It is quite small for full coverage as a scarf but many wear it around the neck in novel ways.

Related post : Learn more about Bandana here.; You can also wear a bandana scarf as a mask as shown here.

9. Chequered fabric scarf

A chequered pattern is one of the most sought-after patterns other than the tartan pattern for scarves worn by men. Plaid is a type of woolen fabric with a chequered tartan pattern. Know more about the different types of check patterns here.

10. Hand knitted woolen scarf

Scarves are carefully hand knitted in many shapes and sizes before winter. Nothing like a hand knitted woolen scarf to ward off cold. And the best thing about hand knitting is the variety of yarns available for knitting – if you do not like the bulkiness of wool, you can go for lighter weight acrylic or go for a blend of wool and acrylic; if you want to go for more expensive yarn there are cashmere and merino wool yarns. The variety is amazing. Checkout the different types of knitting yarns available here.

11. Scarves with contrast borders

Whatever fabric you use you can decorate it with contrasting fabric stitched on the borders for a dramatic effect. Check out an easy way to give borders on your scarves here.

12. Crinkled crepe Scarves 

Crinkled or crushed fabric has a depth which makes it good for scarves of solid colors. Add fringe trims for more texture.

13. Scarves with tassels 

Tassels or pompoms are added along the scarf edge for a colourful and interesting look.

14. Animal Print Scarf

Animal prints are very very popular in scarf fashion. You can learn more about the different types of fabric patterns involving animal prints here

15. Fleece scarf 

Fleece is a fabric which is quite thick and as it does not fray, it is quite easy to make a scarf out of this inexpensive fabric. It is bulky but remember the warmth it can give you. 

Check out more about different types of fleece fabric here