Sweaters, Scarves & Hair: Why Your Fall Wardrobe Can Change Your Hair Routine

There’s a moment every fall when the sweaters come back out, the scarves find their way to the front of the closet, and suddenly your hair seems to have become part of the outfit again.

And then there’s the static.

The frizz.

The hair that was behaving perfectly five minutes ago until you pulled a sweater over your head.

Fall has a way of changing more than what we wear. It can change how we style our hair, how often we wash it, and even what we need from our haircut.

So if your hair starts acting a little differently once the layers come out, you’re not imagining it.

Your sweater can change the way your hair behaves

Those cozy sweaters we love can be surprisingly rough on our hair.

Friction from collars, knits, and heavier fabrics can contribute to tangling, frizz, and static, especially when your hair is already on the drier side.

You may notice it most around your ends or underneath your hair where it rubs against your clothes throughout the day.

This doesn't mean you need to stop wearing your favorite sweaters, obviously.

It just means your hair may appreciate a little extra moisture and a little less friction.

A lightweight leave-in conditioner or smoothing product can help, especially on the mid-lengths and ends. And if your hair tends to tangle easily, giving it a gentle brush before you pull that sweater over your head can save you from a lot of post-outfit wrestling.

Scarves and long hair have a complicated relationship

Scarves look great with long hair.

Your hair may not always agree.

If you wear your hair down with a scarf, all that fabric sitting against your hair can create friction and tangling throughout the day. Sometimes the answer is as simple as changing where your hair sits.

Pulling your hair forward over the scarf instead of letting it get trapped underneath can help. A loose braid or low ponytail can also keep your ends from getting rubbed around quite so much.

And if you're constantly fighting tangles in the same area, it's worth mentioning to your stylist.

Sometimes the problem isn't your styling routine.

It may simply be that your ends need a little attention.

Fall is when a good haircut really earns its keep

Summer hair can get away with being a little undone.

Air-drying, ponytails, beach waves, messy buns—we're all a little more relaxed about it.

Fall tends to bring us back to wearing our hair down more often.

Suddenly you're noticing your layers again. You're seeing where your shape has grown out. You're styling your hair around collars and scarves and wondering why it doesn't fall quite the way you want it to.

This is one reason fall can be such a good time to refresh your haircut.

You may not need a completely new style.

You may just need your existing shape brought back to life.

And then there’s the static

Static is one of those fall hair problems that can make you question every life choice you've ever made.

You smooth it down.

It pops back up.

You tuck it behind your ear.

It escapes again.

Dryer indoor air is part of the problem, and dry hair tends to be more prone to static. Keeping your hair properly moisturized can help, as can using a lightweight leave-in or smoothing product when needed.

The trick is not to pile on product trying to force your hair into submission.

A little usually goes much further than you think.

Your fall routine might need to get a little softer

If your hair suddenly feels drier once fall arrives, it may be time to make a few small adjustments.

You might add a weekly conditioning treatment. You might switch to a more moisturizing conditioner. You might find that your hair doesn't need to be washed quite as often.

Or you may realize that your summer products are simply too light for what your hair needs now.

There doesn't have to be a complete seasonal overhaul.

Pay attention to what your hair is actually telling you.

If it feels dry, give it more moisture.

If it feels heavy, use less.

If it's tangling around your scarf every day, change how you're wearing it.

Hair tends to give pretty good feedback when we actually listen to it.

Maybe your hair and your wardrobe just need to meet in the middle

The fun part about fall hair isn't necessarily finding a new color or a completely different haircut.

Sometimes it's figuring out how your hair fits into the way you actually live this season.

Maybe that means a haircut that looks good air-dried but also works with a sweater and scarf.

Maybe it's a little more moisture so your hair stays soft instead of staticky.

Maybe it's a few face-framing pieces that still look good when your hair is tucked into a coat.

Or maybe it's finally accepting that your giant cozy sweater is going to make your hair a little ridiculous—and deciding that's a fair trade.

Because honestly, that's part of fall too.

The hair doesn't have to be perfect.

It just has to work with your life.