How to Match a Headscarf to Your Outfit (Tichel, Snood and Scarf Colors)

A headscarf is the first thing people see when they look at you. It frames your face, it sets the mood of the whole outfit, and on the days it matches just right, everything else feels easy. On the days it doesn't, you feel it all day.

I've tried a lot of tichels, snoods and scarves over the years, and I've learned that matching them isn't about owning one in every color. It's about knowing a few simple rules. Here's how I put my headscarf together with what I'm wearing.

Start with the outfit, then choose the scarf

Most mornings I get dressed first and pick the headscarf last. It's much easier to find a scarf that works with your clothes than to build a whole outfit around one scarf.

Look at what you're wearing and ask yourself one question: do I want my headscarf to blend in or stand out?

• Blend in when your outfit already has a pattern, a bold color or a statement piece. A solid scarf in a quiet shade lets the outfit shine.
• Stand out when your outfit is simple, like a navy top with a denim skirt or an all-black dress. That's when a print or a pretty color makes the look.

Once you decide which one you want, choosing the scarf gets much faster.

Pull a color from your clothes

The easiest way to match is to repeat a color you're already wearing.

• Match the skirt. A dusty-rose scarf with a dusty-rose skirt ties the top and bottom of the outfit together, even when there's a cream sweater in between. This is one of my favorite tricks because it looks planned without trying too hard.
• Match the top. A navy scarf with a navy top makes one calm line from your face down, which is lovely and very flattering.
• Match a small detail. Pick up the color of your shoes, your bag, your jewelry or a thread in a print. A gold band on a black snood with gold earrings or a gold clutch looks quietly polished.

If your outfit is patterned, find the color that appears most in the print, or the darkest one, and use that for your scarf. It will always look right.

Neutrals that go with almost everything

Every woman who covers her hair needs a few scarves that work with anything. If you're building a collection, start here:

• Black for evening, Shabbos and all-black outfits.
• Navy for denim, cream, grey and white.
• Cream or ivory for light outfits, camel and soft colors.
• Camel or taupe for brown, rust, olive and fall colors.
• Grey or heather for grey knits, burgundy and blush.

With these five, you'll have a scarf for almost every outfit in your closet. After that, add colors you love wearing near your face.

Choosing colors that flatter your face

Since the scarf sits right next to your skin, the color matters more than it would on a skirt. Hold a scarf up to your face in daylight in front of a mirror. If your skin looks bright and fresh, it's a good color for you. If you look tired or washed out, save that shade for your shoes or bag instead.

As a loose guide, warmer shades like camel, rust, olive and cream tend to look lovely on warm skin tones. Cooler shades like navy, grey, burgundy and dusty rose often flatter cool skin tones. Soft muted colors such as blush, sage and mauve tend to work for most people. But your mirror is always the best judge.

How to wear prints

Printed tichels are so pretty, and they're a wonderful way to make simple clothes feel special. A few rules keep them from feeling busy:

• One print at a time. A floral scarf with a solid top and solid skirt looks fresh. A floral scarf with a striped top competes.
• Let the print match something solid. A navy and white floral tichel looks best with something navy or something white in the outfit.
• Small prints feel everyday, large prints feel bolder. Tiny florals and dots are easy to wear with anything. Big paisleys and bold geometrics look best with very plain clothes.
• Stripes and checks work like a neutral if they're in classic colors like navy, black or brown.

If you're new to prints, start with a two-color print that includes one of your neutrals. It's much easier to style than a multicolor one.

Matching the fabric to the season and occasion

Color isn't the only thing that matters. The fabric of your headscarf changes how dressy it feels.

• Cotton and linen are breathable and matte, perfect for summer and everyday errands.
• Jersey is soft and stretchy, stays put well, and is great for busy days with kids.
• Wool, cashmere blends and knits are warm and cozy for fall and winter.
• Velvet is rich and dressy, beautiful for Shabbos, winter simchas and evening.
• Satin and silk-feel fabrics have a soft shine that looks elegant at weddings and events.

A good rule: match the dressiness of your scarf to the dressiness of your outfit. A velvet snood with a sweater and sneakers feels off, and a cotton tichel with a satin gown does too.

Tichel, snood or scarf: which to wear when

Tichels are the most flexible. You can tie them in a simple knot, a braid or a wrap, and layer two together for extra color. They're my choice for most everyday outfits.

Snoods are quick and neat, especially when you're running out the door. A plain jersey snood is easy for weekdays, and a velvet or satin snood with a band or a little detail looks very dressed up for Shabbos or a simcha.

Square and long scarves give you the most room to play with shape and volume. They're lovely when you want a fuller look or a soft drape at the back.

Easy pairings to copy

Autumn walk. A dusty-rose headscarf, cream cable-knit sweater, long dusty-rose pleated skirt and tan ankle boots.

Weekday morning. A navy and white floral tichel, navy long-sleeve top, long denim A-line skirt and white sneakers.

Evening out. A black velvet snood with a gold band, black long-sleeve midi dress, sheer black tights, black pumps and a gold clutch.

Shabbos lunch. A cream satin tichel, camel knit dress and cream flats.

Winter errands. A charcoal knit snood, grey turtleneck, long burgundy corduroy skirt and black boots.

A few quick rules

• Get dressed first, then choose the scarf.
• Repeat one color from your outfit, and the look will feel pulled together.
• One print at a time.
• Match the fabric's dressiness to the occasion.
• Keep a few neutrals on hand, and add colors that make your face glow.

Once you start picking your headscarf this way, getting ready gets faster and your outfits look more finished. It's such a small piece, but it's the part of the outfit that's closest to your face, and it's worth getting right.

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