9 Ways to Wear Your Handwoven Blanket Scarf in the Autumn Winter 2026 /2027 season

Oversize scarves, shawls and blanket scarves are making a comeback in the AW 2026 / 2027 season. Celebrated for warmth and comfort but also for their ability to be styled in many different ways they are a super versatile wardrobe staple!

There are plenty of ways to incorporate this large versatile scarf into your wardrobe. Here are nine ways to style it - proof that one handwoven piece can do the work of a whole capsule wardrobe.

What Is a Blanket Scarf?

Blanket scarves are scarves or shawls that are big enough to use as a blanket. A blanket scarf is one of the most versatile pieces you can own.  Its generous size means it can be knotted close and cosy on a cold morning, draped loose worn over one shoulder, or belted and pinned into something closer to a wrap. Emma has woven a range of blanket scarves in a wide range of colours and designs so there are plenty to choose from.

1. The Classic Drape

Fold the scarf and leave it draped over both sides of your shoulder - perfect for adding a pop of style and for wearing underneath a coat or jacket when you want warmth without any bulk.

2. The Off-Shoulder Drape

Let the scarf fall diagonally across one shoulder, trailing almost to the hem of your coat. Secured with a pin at the waist.

3. The Twisted Knot

A slight variation on the classic: twist the scarf before knotting for a softer, more sculptural finish at the neck. Small change, entirely different mood - smart enough for the office, still soft enough for the weekend.

4. The Asymmetric Wrap

Wrap around the body and secure using a shawl pin. It's an effortless, undone kind of styling that suits an oversized coat or a simple jumper beautifully. Here we have secured the shawl using a shawl pin. This method of styling allows the full beauty of the handwoven fabric to be evident.

5. The Long Loop

Fold the scarf in half, drape it around your neck, and thread the ends through the loop for a neat infinity-style finish. This is the most streamlined of the wraps - ideal for adding extra warmth around the neck.

6. Belted

Wrap the scarf loosely around the shoulders like a shawl, then cinch it at the waist with a simple leather belt. Suddenly it's not a scarf at all - it's a whole outfit, closer to a wrap dress or poncho, and a brilliant trick for transforming daywear into something you'd happily wear out in the evening.

7. Pinned at the Shoulder

Drape the scarf like a true shawl across both shoulders and secure it with a brooch or shawl pin at the collarbone. This is the most heirloom of all the looks - the kind of styling that makes people ask where it's from.

8. The Cowl

Bunch the scarf loosely around the neck without a formal knot, letting it sit high and soft like a cowl. Wonderfully warm, and the easiest option for a lazy Sunday.

9. The Diagonal Knot

Cross the scarf diagonally across the body, shawl-style, and fasten with a knot at the shoulder for something that reads almost like a garment in its own right - striking enough to be the whole outfit.

Why a Handwoven Piece Is Worth It

A printed scarf can only ever look one way. This one changes character depending on how you tie it, because the colour and texture are woven all the way through - not a pattern applied to the surface, but part of the structure of the cloth itself. Merino wool means it is warm without being heavy, soft against the skin, and built to last for years of wear, not one season.

Pieces like this take real time on the loom, and no two lengths of handwoven cloth are ever quite identical which means the one you choose is genuinely yours.

Ready to make it yours? You can find this handwoven merino blanket scarf, along with the rest of the collection for delivery within the UK, to Canada and USA, at Handwoven Scarves, Snoods and Shawls | Emma Baker Handwoven Textiles UK

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