If there’s one accessory that will see you through the summer while providing just the right amount of on-trend edge, it’s a silk scarf. Chances are you’re already familiar with this seemingly humble accessory’s ability to bring an outfit to life – whether it’s tied jauntily around the neck, festooned on a bag, or perhaps even fashioned into a headpiece. But a fresh new way to wear one is emerging courtesy of the style set.

Exhibit A is enduring fashion icon Alexa Chung, who recently stepped out in London wearing dark-wash jeans and a white T-shirt with a Gucci silk scarf folded into a triangle and tied around her waist. Despite its neutral colour palette of black and browns, the equestrian-print scarf made Chung’s simple outfit stand out.

Alexa Chung, styling a Gucci silk scarf with dark-wash jeans and a white T-shirt, in London in May this year - Neil P Mockford/Getty Images for Gucci

“I love layering a scarf over a plain white tee or replacing a structured leather belt with silk – it instantly softens the silhouette and adds a touch of bohemian luxury,” says Imogen Rolfe, founder of silk scarf specialist House of Rolfe. “Whether knotted at the waist, looped through belt hoops or draped asymmetrically, silk has an incredible way of elevating the simplest outfits with colour, movement and texture.”

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Another high-profile fan of the technique is Leandra Medine Cohen, considered the original fashion blogger by those in-the-know. She’s styled pretty patterned scarves with everything from silky chartreuse trousers and shirts to summer-ready crochet dresses, writing that the benefits range from breaking up “the monotony of a one-and-done dress” to concealing a camel toe.

Leandra Medine Cohen demonstrates the colour-on-colour waist-scarf look

As for the former, independent London-based brand Mondo Corsini has styled a black-and-white silk scarf with a white cotton poplin shirt dress as part of its spring/summer campaign. “We wanted to try styling the piece differently, so added a scarf as an alternative to a belt,” says founder Susan Corsini. “I think it worked well as it breaks up the dress a little. I’m a firm believer in adding a scarf but keeping it a nonchalant, last-minute addition. I gravitate towards monochrome stripes (think Toteme) or bolder colours via Hermès (but vintage).”

Mono Corsini champions a monochrome look as part of its spring/summer campaign - Gary Fitzwater

Duly inspired, The Telegraph fashion team decided to try the styling trick of the moment ourselves, seeing if a silk scarf could update outfits that were already in our weekly rotation. Is it as easy as fold, tie and go? And is the elusive combination of fashion-forward nonchalance accessible to us all?

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As stylist Anna Berkeley points out, the base outfit is an important consideration. “You will need a relatively flat surface for this to work well,” she says. “Flat-fronted trousers in light wool or silk, or a cotton or viscose skirt or dress work well. If you have gathers, large pleats or chunky waistbands to contend with, it will look bunched up.”

The Telegraph’s acting deputy fashion director Tamara Abraham had this in mind when she wore her silk scarf with a cotton dress, which provided an ideal smooth canvas for a colour pop. Meanwhile, I tied one between a white T-shirt and silky black trousers; despite a lot of vaguely irritating retying throughout the day, it did, as Medine Cohen suggests, break up a boring outfit nicely.

Tamara Abraham adds a stylish pop of colour with a silk scarf over a cotton dress

If you’re daunted, Berkeley suggests thinking of the scarf like a cummerbund, which is traditionally worn at the natural waistline, where a shirt is tucked in. There are, however, subtle variations to consider to ensure the most flattering effect. “If you have a straight figure, avoid wearing the scarf straight across your torso,” she says. “Instead, create a shape that points down at the front to give the illusion of curves. For curvier hips, creating a diagonal line works well (slicing into a curve rather than creating one). If you have a defined waist, wear it straight across like a belt.”

The final thing to think about is how you’re going to secure it, especially considering that silk is slippery and prone to moving around as you wear it. “It will work best if you can tuck it into a waistband on trousers or a skirt,” says Berkeley. “Or you could knot it and tuck the ends in on themselves.”

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Overall, it’s fun to have a play around with this accessible trend. However you style it, your silk scarf use is likely about to increase exponentially.

Three outfits to pair with your scarf

By Hansveni Dave

Trousers & T-shirt

trousers and t shirt

Cotton white t-shirt, £14.90, Uniqlo; Linen blend olive trousers, £99.95, Massimo Dutti; Metallic accent strappy heel sandal, £59, Charles & Keith

Maxi skirt and shirt

maxi skirt and shirt

Cotton yellow shirt, £120, With Nothing Underneath; Cotton Poplin skirt, £85, Arket; Leather cream flat, £236, Aeyde

Maxi-midi dress

maxi midi dress

Cotton maxi dress, £220, Mondo Corsini; Leather cut out sandals, £250, ATP Atelier