How to Choose the Right Size for Custom Silk Scarves (And Why It Affects Your Cost)
Quick answer: LS Silk custom silk scarf sizes are four squares: a 12.2 in (31 cm) pocket square, a 20.9 in (53 cm) small square, a 25.6 in (65 cm) classic square and a 35 in (89 cm) large square. The 25.6 in (65 cm) square is the most popular for schools and gift shops, and the 35 in (89 cm) square is the classic large scarf, often sold as a 90. A larger scarf uses more silk, so it costs a few dollars more per piece. Long scarves and other sizes are available by quote.
When planning a custom silk scarf, most attention goes to the design. Size is decided last, and it deserves better. It changes how the scarf is worn, how the artwork reads and what each piece costs.
What sizes can I choose?
| Size | Name | Worn as |
|---|---|---|
| 12.2 × 12.2 in (31 × 31 cm) | Pocket square | Pocket square, wrist tie, bag tie |
| 20.9 × 20.9 in (53 × 53 cm) | Small square | Neckerchief, bandana, hair scarf |
| 25.6 × 25.6 in (65 × 65 cm) | Classic square | Neck scarf. Popular with schools and gift shops |
| 35 × 35 in (89 × 89 cm) | Large square | The classic large scarf, worn at the neck, over the shoulders or in the hair |
All four are squares, so prepare your artwork on a square canvas.
How do I choose the right size?
Start with how the scarf will be worn, then check the artwork and the budget.
- How it will be worn. A scarf tied once at the neck needs 25.6 in (65 cm). One that is draped, wrapped or worn as a headscarf needs 35 in (89 cm). A pocket square or a tie for a bag handle needs 12.2 in (31 cm).
- How detailed the artwork is. A painting with fine detail needs room. On a 12.2 in (31 cm) square, small motifs and text can become hard to read. Simple geometric patterns work at every size.
- Who it is for. For gifts handed to a large group, such as a graduating class, the 25.6 in (65 cm) square suits most people. For a retail scarf in a gallery shop, the 35 in (89 cm) square carries a higher price.
- Whether you want a set. A scarf and a matching pocket square share one design at two scales. See how that worked in our school commission case study.
How does size affect the price?
A larger scarf uses more silk and takes longer to hem. In a production run of 30 to 49 pieces, in silk twill at 14 momme with a hand-rolled hem, a pocket square is $30 each, a 25.6 in (65 cm) scarf is $42 and a 35 in (89 cm) scarf is $44. See our cost guide for every quantity.
The four sizes are not arbitrary. Silk is woven in fixed widths, and these sizes cut cleanly from the cloth with very little waste. That is why standard sizes cost less than odd ones.
Does the hem change the finished size?
Slightly. A hand-rolled hem uses about 0.6 in (1.5 cm) of silk on each side to form the roll. A machine hem uses about 0.4 in (1 cm). The same scarf therefore finishes about 0.4 in (1 cm) larger with a machine hem than with a hand-rolled hem. The Custom Studio shows both your canvas size and your finished size before you order. Read more in our guide to hand-rolled vs machine hems.
Keep important parts of your design, such as text, a logo or the inner edge of a border, well inside the edge so the hem does not take them. Our artwork guide gives the pixel size for each scarf.
Can I order a different size or a long scarf?
Yes, by quote. Long scarves, skinny scarves and other square sizes are not in the Custom Studio. Email support@lovesilk.com with the size you have in mind.
Ready to start? Choose your size, silk and finish and see your price right away. Choose your size in the Custom Studio →
Need a size outside the standard range, or more than 100 pieces? Email support@lovesilk.com.
Frequently asked questions
What is the most popular custom silk scarf size?
The 25.6 in (65 cm) classic square for gifts and school scarves, and the 35 in (89 cm) large square for retail and gallery scarves.
Is a 35 in (89 cm) scarf the same as a 35.4 in (90 cm) scarf?
In practice, yes. The 35 in (89 cm) large square is the classic large scarf and is often sold as a 90.
What size is a silk pocket square?
12.2 × 12.2 in (31 × 31 cm).
Does a bigger scarf cost much more?
No. In a production run, a 35 in (89 cm) scarf costs about $2 to $4 more per piece than a 25.6 in (65 cm) scarf.
Can I order a long or rectangular silk scarf?
Yes, by quote. Email support@lovesilk.com.
Related reading: The complete guide to ordering custom silk scarves in the United States · How much does a custom silk scarf cost? · How to prepare your artwork file · Choosing a border and hem color