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The Modern Guide to The Thing Before Preppy

Tuesday, December 8, 2020

A Reader Question for the Community: Silk Scarves? If, which, how, when, and with what?

 

Dear Editor,

I have a question for the community...what do others think about wearing scarves as an accessory? Specifically, silk scarves of various sizes, such as those made by Hermès or similar makers? Are they classic or stuffy? How are they best worn (or perhaps, with what?) 

Thank you for the daily dose of serenity!

 

21 comments:

  1. I would consider Hermes scarves classics. I have a few and wear them with everything from my coat to sweater sets and turtlenecks.

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  2. I still love my vintage Dunhill from England, and some woodland scene pattern ones, bought in Scotland many years ago! Thanks so very much for everything!

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  3. A silk and alpaca interwoven scarve, that’s a nice combination.

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  4. I have a number of large vintage silk squares that were my late mother's and use them year round. Remember when a large scarf over the shoulders of your coat was the trend? I still do that today.

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  5. To promote gender equality I submit that a silk paisley scarf is the perfect accessory to a man's topcoat and is surprisingly warm.

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    1. I'll agree with Tim. Nothing says dash quite like a lengthy silk (or wool) winter scarf wrapped around the neck and thrown jauntily over one's shoulder. Or bundled around the neck and shoulders when it gets really cold. I enjoy wearing and using both (for going on 40 years), depending on attire for the day, during the late fall, winter, and early spring.

      Heinz-Ulrich

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    2. Agree with both of you. And the ones on offer from Cordings, as an example, are quite substantial.

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    3. As usual, I agree with Tim and Satresky. In the cooler months, I often wear Cordings madder silk scarves with a covert coat, shooting jacket or one of my Barbours. If a bit more warmth is needed, Cordings scroll silk and cashmere scarves are highly recommended.

      Real British gentlemen, it should be noted, do not throw their scarves over their shoulders. That is a European affectation that has been adopted by the sad wannabes and attention seekers who post on menswear forums.

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    4. Many thanks to Ken and Sartresky for pointing me to the Cordings selection. I was looking at Sam Hober, but I believe the Cordings choices are a little snappier. After this pandemic being staid is not an attribute I want to overdo!

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    5. Cordings' madder silk scarves are great value money, much better than competitors such as Drakes. The colours are vibrant, especially the reds and blues that I love. The stag and hunting paisley designs (I have the rust) are a bit more muted for business wear.

      Due to the Covid crisis, it seems that Cordings' stocks are a bit low on some items. That may be also due to increased demand as online orders have rocketed. If you have decided what you want, I would buy it now. It's not worth losing it to save a few pounds in the sale.

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  6. I have a few Liberty silk scarves I bought in London over 20 yrs ago. I love scarves on other people, just a bit too much for me.

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  7. I wear my Hermes scarf tied in many different ways. It adds formality to a simple outfit, but it can be worn casually - it depends on how you tie it. There are many Pinterest, YouTube and Instagram tutorials available. I have a few smaller vintage scarves from my grandmother that I wear as a simple scarf - bandana-style, and I love my longer cashmere and alpaca scarves for a cozier look and feel. I'll admit, diamond studs or pearl earrings and a silk scarf can look stuffy, but it doesn't stop me from wearing them!

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  8. I love them to dress up an outfit.

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  9. If you love it, wear it. I'm a 30-something Interior Designer who worked for a time at a large commercial Architecture firm in the Portland Oregon area. On a "simple outfit day" (who am I kidding, all of my days are "simple outfit days"), I opted to accessorize with a vintage Hermes scarf. I was nervous about wearing it because my personal tastes already trend traditional/classic and in a business setting of modernists, well, you get the idea. I wore it with jeans, a button up white shirt, animal print flats (a neutral in my book and absolutely willing to discuss) tied in a jaunty way over one shoulder with minimal jewelry (wedding set, VERY small jeweled studs - not pearls, with hair pulled back to show off full scarf effect). I received SO many compliments: from Architects to other fellow Designers, from all genders, etc. I knew though that if I didn't want to make it a "thing" to wear it sparingly! But again, if you love it, wear it confidence! - hrplo

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  10. When it's chilly outdoors, I frequently wear mine as headscarves, with the "Knightsbridge Knot" at the tip of the chin.

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  11. I wear one to the mosque on Fridays but don't cover at any other time.

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  12. I wear silk scarves a lot in the winter, spring and fall. They look great with wool coats. There is nothing so delicious for winter weary skin in the late winter as a cashmere sweater and a silk scarf or shirt. I also wear smaller squares to tie back my hair. I think the scarves are considered pretty "la dee da" where I live in the mountains of Vermont, but I don't care! I have a couple Hermes, and several vintage Veras but the one I wear the most is a no-name silk with a grey and yellow floral pattern...it is huge and I can manage to make it look somewhat "hipper" by the way I wrap it around my neck. I usually wear this with a crewneck or cardigan sweater and a tshirt and pants.By the way, if you love silk scarves, ebay has 100s of Vera Neumann's available in the most beautiful patterns!

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  13. I don’t feel dressed without one, save for summer.

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    1. Everyday in the winter, yes, I wear one. Not everyday in the fall and spring, certainly, but often as necessary I wear one. They are made of wool, alpaca, cashmere, silk, blends, what have you. They’ve been bought in Peru, Laos, Italy, and the USA. I’ve a decent collection, culled from time to time. There’s even one I designed myself. Imagine. On a trip to Paris a lady friend added to the itinerary the street up by Montmartre where are found the fabric stores. “Hey, this would make a nice scarf,” I said, fingering a dense woven wool. “And maybe it could be backed up with this,” pointing to a complimentary silk. She said “I can sew that.” It’s the only clothing item I ever designed, or ever will.

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    2. From Anonymous at 3:52: I, too, have purchased a few lovely scarves in Paris that I wear frequently. Winter scarves tend to be tweed or tartan. I look best in sporty things, I think. Mostly I wear scarves under jacket lapels, not Dr. Birx-style! ;)

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  14. For how to wear, look to Dr. Deborah Birx!

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