Can you tell the difference in quality (silk scarves)?

[Whowhatwerewolf]

I'm considering saving up for a Hermès silk scarf. I'd make a deal with myself that if I wear my cheaper silk scarves consistently this Spring then next Spring I will treat myself. I'm just wondering whether they're worth it, though?

For example, I think these are both nice. But is the Hermès really over 20 times nicer?

https://www.next.co.uk/style/su788565/w27892

https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/academia-hippica-scarf-90-H004281Sv09/

If you have a Hermès silk scarf do you love wearing it more than other scarves? If you see someone wearing a scarf can you honestly tell whether it's a super expensive one or not?

I can tell the difference between my Aspinal scarf and scarves I've got from TK Maxx so I'd like to think that Hermes really stands out. My Aspinal scarf is larger, softer, lovely clear print and stays tied when knotted.

I don't like either of the 2 silk scarves you've posted - although I do wear silk scarves on occasion.

I wouldn't notice an expensive one. I'd only notice a nice looking one. I'd probably notice a cheap looking one too.

Why is it important to you to have people notice a very expensive scarf?

I can't say I've ever noticed whether scarves on other people look expensive or not, I'm more likely to notice how well they've been tied, whether they go well with the outfit, hair, other accessories etc. I'd worry that if I spent that amount on a scarf I'd want to wear it all the time despite it not necessarily working really well with the other clothes. I'd also be worried about losing it, but I'm the sort of person who gets too warm in them and ends up taking them off.

I think size makes a difference, and often the cheaper scarves are also skimpier.

I could not justify the price differential for myself, and Hermes scarves are not my style. But if it makes you feel good then that’s what’s important.

I think I can tell the difference but I don’t really care as I don’t wear them.

I can definitely tell the difference in quality between silk items, but I’m not convinced that the difference in price between an Aspinal scarf and one from TK Maxx is only based on quality rather than the supposed prestige attached to some brand names. Im sure you would be paying 20 times the cost for an Aspinal or Hermes scarf purely because of the name.

You can absolutely feel the difference too. If you can afford it, it's an investment.

I've got a few Hermes 90 scarves I wear regularly, I've also got some pucci and some karen mabon. Hermes is by far the superior silk twill. They are heavier and that makes them drape beautifully and the quality and details of the print and design are better.

If you don't currently use scarfs I'd have a think about whether you will truly wear it, so in that sense it might be a waste of money.

I LOVE my Hermes scarves and get so much wear out of them that I have managed to convince myself that they are actually cost-effective since some of them are now over 20 years old. The quality is superb - I have Aspinal and cheap ones too and the Hermes quality really is way higher - the weight, hand-finished hems and the printing. If you look after them they really last. As a regular scarf wearer, I do notice others' scarves. I think it is a "thing" with regular scarf wearers (scarfies?) since I regularly get asked about mine (possibly since I work in corporate professional environment there are more of us in close proximity). I have already had a couple of comments on today's effort (Aspinal) since it is new and I haven't worn it to the office before 😀

I even have a vintage Hermes scarf Le Neige D'Antan that I can only wear in December since it is very Christmassy which I love

Have got a few through Vinted but you have to be careful there with fakes

I would say go for it!

I inherited a YSL scarf and Dior one from MIL, and they are STUNNING. I adore them. They drape and tie beautifully. I feel fab wearing them and that, for me, is the main thing.

My MIL has two Hermes scarves and yes, they are lovely quality, definitely noticeably better.
For me, with my own money, it’s not so much better that it’s worth it. But then, I wouldn’t get much wear out of it so I’m not the right person on that aspect.

Your question about if you see someone wearing a scarf can you tell if it’s expensive or not - I think very few people can tell if you just walk past them in the street (unless they recognise the specific design), and most people could tell if they held the scarf in their hands and had a cheaper one to compare it to, and then some people will be able to tell if you are wearing it while chatting to them.

I have several Hermès scarves, also silk from other brands: Inoui Editions, Liberty, Le Chalê Bleu, Arlette Ess. You can definitely, absolutely tell the difference between H and the rest and the difference is huge. They are screen-printed so that’s the first big difference, all my other scarves are digital prints, so you are paying for craftsmanship at Hermès. Second the silk is much thicker and it’s a really nice plump twill. It’s can be a problem actually because a Hermès scarf is stiffer than the rest so a bit more difficult to style.

Whether it’s worth the price? How long is a piece of string? They consistently go up in price by 7.5% every January, at least for a few years now. The first scarf I bought was significantly cheaper than the last one, they have become really expensive recently, IMO. I tend to buy a scarf for myself for a significant milestone in my life and it makes them feel special for me, every time I wear one it brings me joy. Otherwise I would not bother.

I don't know about you but I've never had a moth chew a hole in my S&S Isa.

I think it’s also important to find the designer you like and Hermès has many to choose from. I don’t like the vintage ones, designed by Hugo Grygkar. They looked lovely on Queen Elisabeth II but not necessarily on me. I prefer more playful ones.
My favourites are by Christine Henry, Jan Bajtlik and Daiske Nomura. I tend to stick to a few designers, there are so many Hermès scarves to choose from that I prefer to narrow down the selection somewhat.

Well don’t sit full price for one thing. I got two Liberty scarves half price (£95-425 normally) during their sale. Maybe Hermes doesn’t have sales, but I’d argue you could get a much better than Joules scarf at Liberty’s that are more beautiful than Hermes. It’s a good middle ground price wise - you get excellent quality and a recognised name, but not the premium of a designer name.

This is a very good point. I love wool and my wardrobe has industrial strength, military grade moth protection, but it’s still a worry.

I don’t treat my scarves as investments, I wear them a lot. In theory they don’t lose value but in practice some designs are quite dated and only appeal to hardcore collectors.

I need to know more about your moth protection! We had issues with case-making moths when we lived in a flat with v.unhygenic neighbours and even though we've since moved and I've not seen a clothes moth since, it's really put me off buying things like silk and cashmere as they seemed to love it much more than my other wool/wool blend clothing.

I think I'd cry if they started feasting on an expensive, treat-myself scarf.

This.

My first Hermès scarf is over 30 years old and as good as new. Hèmes silk is noticeably better than other silk. There is a weight to it and the rolled edges never unroll.

I have Longchamp and Delvaux scarves and they don't come up to Hèmes quality.

The most important thing with avoiding mothvdamage is making sure your clothes are perfectly clean when put away as moths will lay eggs on anything slightly soiled. Do you wash your mixed blend clothes more?

Thank you so much for all the advice. @CortieTat I will look up those particular designers as I must admit I got the idea for a Hermès scarf from one of your posts a few weeks ago and it's stuck on my head ever since.

I love the look of a crisp white or cream silk shirt, a little denim or utility or leather jacket, and a beautiful scarf around the neck. I think it's a classic look that relies on the quality of the items and if a scarf is cheap looking it could ruin it.

I never even thought about moths! That's a scary thought. I'm definitely the type to lose things though but I've developed techniques to avoid losing my best stuff over the years so that should be ok. Stains are another worry I suppose. But I guess I wouldn't view the scarf as an investment more like a substitute for buying a larger number of less expensive items which I think is a good idea generally.

@Whowhatwerewolf I wash all my scarves (yes in water). There are tutorials online but honestly it’s just common sense. I have years of experience washing and removing stains from various wools and silks so scarves with a big flashing “dry cleaning only” signs were just another boundary to trample with grace. I can remove makeup stains without any problems but I also found products and ways to put makeup on so it doesn’t transfer.

Washing is one of the reasons I avoid vintage scarves, the dyes used on vintage Hermès run and bleed in water, so they have to be strictly dry cleaned.

@YouHaveAnArse I wear everything and wash regularly, I wash all my wool sweaters at least once a year. I hover my coats and jackets, and have them dry-cleaned every second year. Whenever I buy something new it goes to the freezer for a week, at least (-18) to quarantine. I also deep clean the whole wardrobe once a year and keep wool and silk in bags and containers. I have moth killer sachets in every drawer and hanging from the main rail in the wardrobe too plus cedar balls. The wardrobe is never left open. So far I have not had a single moth damage since I left my parents’ home at 18 and I am in my forties. It sounds like a lot of work but in practice only cleaning the wardrobe takes time, maybe 1-2h. The rest is just making sure the moth killer sachets are changed regularly. Currently I have ones from Acana.

There will be variations in the weight and handle of the silk and possibly in how well the edges are finished. Personally I don’t think the difference will be as great as the price multiplier. I will pay more for a premium brand if it is genuinely better or more ethically made, if I love the design, if it will last for ever and if it is in a sale!

I've had a look at the Liberty silk scarves and there are some lovely designs. Maybe I should sign up to their beauty boxes again and put the money towards a scarf in their sales? Hmmm now there an idea.

I know now that the Hermès ones are nicer but I've got more worried about the idea of moths as I definitely am not the type to be so vigilant about them as you are, @CortieTat .

@Whowhatwerewolf I forgot to add that I have several suitcase bags (very useful, highly recommended), so whenever I travel with wool or silk they travel zipped up in the bag. You never know what you might bring home.

I have several Liberty scarves, you might have seen them in the Shopping my wardrobe thread. They are lovely, thinner silk and not screen-printed but good quality and the edges are hand-rolled. I bought them in sales and for my loyalty vouchers. I also like Inoui Editions, their design called Piranesi is quite Hermèsque and mine is a drapey wool-silk blend, really good quality and the price was reasonable.

I think styling the scarf is also a consideration, I admit I wear mine with basically everything, because I don’t care, for me it’s about feeling good more than looking great. But some more “classic” outfits result in my family asking where we are flying! A scarf can turn you into a flight attendant quickly 😅.