A small and dainty triangle scarf is all it takes to look like you’ve got your life figured out—at least that's what I've learned from watching tastemakers tease their cold-weather style lately while Mother Nature flirts on the cusp of winter.
Everywhere I turn, I see a triangle-shaped knit scarf. I log onto Slack and see MC’s fashion news desk covering Kendall Jenner and Hailey Bieber going Babushka mode in knit neckerchieves. I open Instagram to find my fellow fashion editors calling &Daughter’s $300 cashmere foulard the ultimate outfit-finisher. I go for a walk down my Brooklyn block and see an impeccably dressed woman with a woolly triangle draped effortlessly over her coat, pushing a stroller with another kid in tow, and yet, somehow, looking unfrazzled and unbothered. (What's her secret? Meditation? Prozac? Or could it be her crafty-chic cashmere scarf?)
We're a month out from the official start of winter, yet the best triangle scarves have already emerged as an ubiquitous seasonal trend. They possess that kind of instant It magic I've only seen twice in recent memory: last year's barn jacket explosion and, two Septembers ago, when The Row made grown adults miss the jelly sandals they wore as '90s babies.
The popularity of knit triangle scarves isn't surprising considering they're a natural evolution of the silk ones that It girls wore all summer. The latter were a tool to look put-together—to exude the vibe of someone who uses "summer" as a verb and doesn't stress over layman issues like meal prepping or electricity bills. Triangle scarves are just the winter-proof version.
Moreover, the winterized triangle scarves possess the two necessary components for a fireball trend: style and practicality in equal measure. Similar to a vintage-inspired hair scarf or a silk bandana worn as a belt around the waist, they're a one-and-done accent that adds an elegant touch to any outfit. At the same time, the cozy knit triangle keeps your neck warm and winter winds at bay, without the bulk of a blanket scarf. Form and function—check and check.
That said, triangle scarves aren't a new trend. Designer brands like Toteme and CFDA award-winning The Row have sold the style for several seasons now, typically rendered in pure cashmere and averaging around $600. We're just now seeing the mainstream market's adoption of it, with isosceles-shaped scarves showing up at go-to retailers like Cos and Madewell, as well as fashion-girl favorites like Paloma Wool and Almina Concept (the brand responsible for Jenner's knit neckerchief of choice).
Worn loosely over your shoulders or tied tightly under your chin, as a color pop with a "main character" coat or as a neutral layer over a trench, the best triangle scarves are a low-effort, high-reward outfit hack. Ahead, you'll find more styles on my winter radar, as well as some styling ideas to replicate in the hopes of looking as chic as my scarf-wearing neighbor.
Shop More Triangle Scarves
How to Style a Triangle Scarf
