How to Tie & Style a Wild Rag

Wild rags are an essential statement piece of western riding attire and culture. Just about every cowboy and cowgirl owns a wild rag. But what exactly is a wild rag? 

A wild rag is a square scarf, usually made from silk or a silk blend. It’s worn around the neck of a western rider. These lightweight scarves make the perfect accessory on cold days for warmth and hot days for protection and cooling. 

There’s a wide variety of designs when it comes to wild rags. From different patterns to styles to materials, no matter how you wear your wild rag, you must know how to tie and style it properly. We’ve covered some of the basic tying methods for you below. You can add a bit of flair to any of these knots with a concho.

Basic Square Knot

The basic square knot is the easiest way to tie a wild rag. To start, fold your square wild rag into a triangle. Then, pick up the wild rag and keep the triangle pointed downward on your chest. Bring the two long ends up, over, and around your neck.

Now, as if you were tying a regular knot, take the right piece in your right hand. Go over the left portion, under it, and then back over. Bring the left part in your left hand over the right piece, under, and back around.

Now your square know is complete! Adjust the knot to make the end pieces even. Then, pull down on the triangle point on your chest to tighten the wild rag just how you like it.

Windsor Knot

The Windsor knot is another beginner-friendly technique to tie and style a wild rag. To begin, fold the wild rag in half. Hold it by the tails, and place it in front of your neck. Then, cross the tails behind your neck and bring them to the front to tie them together.

Next, place one tail over the other. Wrap the top tail around the bottom, then pull it down straight in front of you. Keep holding the top tail down straight, and the bottom tail should be directly underneath it. Now, you’ve completed a Windsor knot!

Buckaroo Knot

The Buckaroo knot is a bit more complicated than the square and Windsor knot. If you’re up for a challenge, this knot is for you! To begin, fold your square wild rag into a triangle. Then, pick up the wild rag and keep the triangle pointed downward on your chest. Bring the two ends up over and around your neck.

Here’s where the Buckaroo knot gets more complex. Make a "rock on" sign with your left hand. Hold the left piece in your right hand. Wrap the end once over your pointer finger and tuck the excess underneath your pinky finger.

With the right piece in your right hand, bring it under the straight section in your left hand below your pointer finger. Bring the part up and around your left hand, then back under to the right side.

Let go of the left piece from under your pinky finger, but keep it secure in your left hand. The left piece must stay underneath the right part. With the right piece in your right hand, slide the end through the hole around your pointer finger.

Tighten and adjust your Buckaroo knot to ensure the end pieces are even. Pull down on the triangle point on your chest to tighten the wild rag just how you want it.