A silk scarf is a square of cloth that can be a headband, a belt, a bag charm or a collar. Hermès made its first one in 1937, and the idea has outlived almost everything from that decade. This is how to wear one so it looks like you meant it.
The Silk Scarf: A Small Square With a Long Memory
The first one was a carriage scene
Hermès made its first silk scarf in 1937. It was called Jeu des omnibus et dames blanches, designed by Robert Dumas. The house that began as a harness maker had found a new way to carry its horse-and-carriage heritage. After years of logo bags and statement belts, the silk scarf is the accessory that carries quiet confidence. It does not announce a label, it just announces that someone has taste.
Know your sizes
A scarf is not one size. A large square, the classic carre, is the one to start with. It can be folded into a triangle, rolled into a band or knotted at the neck. A smaller bandana is better for hair or a bag handle. A long, skinny scarf, like the ones from Burberry or Ferragamo, is made for the neck or around the handle of a tote. Weekend Max Mara, Echo and lescarf all make a good beginner square. Choose a print that you would wear on a plain white shirt without anything else.
Four ways to wear it
Start with the neck knot, a small flat knot at the side of the throat. Then try it as a headband, folded into a long strip and tied at the nape. A third option is to wrap it around the strap of a bag so the tails hang down like a little flag. The fourth is to thread it through the belt loops of jeans. Picture her in a navy blazer and a striped tee, a paisley square knotted loosely at the neck, walking through a farmers market. It looks effortless only because she practiced the knot.
Pick the print like you pick a perfume
Equestrian prints, paisleys and florals are the classics. A graphic print with two or three colors is easier to wear than a busy one with ten. Pull one shade from your coat or bag so the scarf feels connected. Alémais and Zadig and Voltaire lean bold, while Burberry and Max Mara stay safely classic. If you are unsure, a brown or navy print goes with nearly everything in a fall wardrobe. And silk should feel cool and slightly crisp in your hand, never slippery.
What I would skip
I would skip polyester scarves that look like silk, because they will not hold a knot. I would skip tying it too tightly around the neck, which makes the whole look feel like a uniform. And I would skip matching your scarf to your outfit exactly. A scarf that is a shade off from your coat looks like you found it, not bought it. Wash it rarely, by hand in cool water, and iron it on a low setting while it is still damp.
