The scarf tied around your waist is the unexpected accessory changing our looks One scarf, endless ways to reinvent our wardrobe

There’s a wildcard accessory we keep underestimating, but that could solve more than one late-summer, and fall, outfit dilemma: the scarf. Originally designed as a practical way to protect ourselves from the sun, wind or dust, throughout the 20th century it became one of the most recognizable symbols of elegance, moving from the wardrobes of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly to the runways and, more recently, our TikTok feeds. Now it is taking on yet another role: instead of sitting around our necks or in our hair, it moves to the waist, becoming a soft, colorful and decidedly less predictable alternative to a belt. After all, we already know that a belt can do much more than simply hold up our trousers. Following the season of layered belts, with multiple belts worn on top of one another, styling continues to turn seemingly secondary accessories into the real protagonists of an outfit. The scarf follows exactly the same logic. All it takes is one knot in the right place to completely change the silhouette of a look.

What is the trend?

A small silk scarf, a bandana, a lace ribbon or even a vintage style found at the back of your family wardrobe: almost anything can become an alternative belt. The trick is to thread it through the belt loops of your jeans, tailored trousers or a skirt and let it fall loosely, without worrying too much about symmetry. For fall, the key prints are paisley, geometric patterns, tartan, stripes and retro motifs, either chosen to contrast with the rest of the outfit or to complement it. The result feels more relaxed than a classic belt and can give some personality to the same pair of trousers we have already worn three times that week. The scarf can also be tied directly over an oversized blazer, a cardigan or a lightweight coat, cinching the silhouette and creating something close to a couture-belt effect. It is one of those small styling tricks that can make an outfit look carefully considered when, five minutes earlier, it was simply jeans and a sweater. The icons to look to? Our early-2000s idols, of course: the girls who walked the red carpets of Disney Channel, from Ashley Tisdale to Hilary Duff.

The outfits to try this season

For an everyday look, try a thin scarf threaded through the belt loops of a pair of straight-leg or baggy jeans, leaving the knot slightly off-center. Add a white shirt, a soft cardigan and loafers. The only real rule is to avoid making everything look too perfect. The charm of the scarf is precisely that slightly improvised feeling, as if you tied it around your waist before leaving the house and then realized, somewhat surprisingly, that it actually worked. If you want something more sophisticated, choose a silk scarf and wear it as a belt over an oversized blazer. Cinch it at the waist, let the ends fall down one side and finish the look with tailored trousers and pointed-toe boots. It is probably the easiest way to turn a classic office suit into something less corporate and much more personal. For skirt lovers, try pairing a midi skirt in denim or leather with a colorful scarf threaded through the belt loops. Add a fitted turtleneck, a cropped jacket and a pair of ballet flats or knee-high boots. If the look feels too serious, you are probably missing that little piece of silk hanging from your waist. And then there is the trench coat, which inevitably comes back to reclaim its place in our wardrobes every fall. Instead of fastening it with its original belt, replace it with a long scarf, tying it at the waist and leaving the ends loose. It is a simple styling trick that breaks up the rigidity of the classic beige trench coat and gives it a more retro, almost cinematic attitude. Finally, for a more maximalist effect, choose a bold print and let it interact with the rest of the look: a paisley scarf, high-waisted trousers, an oversized sweater and a structured bag. Because if fall is asking us to go back to dressing in layers, we might as well add one more layer that actually makes sense.