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 have a Hermes scarf and the quality and design are so unique and beautiful but I got it as a gift and had I not I would have definitely gone for something cheaper and beautiful but unlikely it would have been something I'd keep forever.

Forgot to add that there’s a thriving second-hand market for Hermès scarves, I bought some of mine second hand and some were great bargains.

One thing I would really advise you to do is to invest one of these too:
https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/bolduc-scarf-90-ring-H601463Sv00/

I had a Hermes scarf which I lost because it came undone and fell off my neck without me realising . There were A LOT of tears.

For second hand - I have no connection with this company other than bought a jumper from them and found service excellent.

Vintage Silk Scarves

I think a Hermes’ scarfs are just beautiful and such depth colour.
I would save for it.. it will always be treasured and you can pass it on to a daughter or niece.

I too have a collection of Hermes (and Dior) scarves. Hermes are by far the higher quality. Like other posters’ items, some of mine are more than 30 years old, others very recent.

I now tend to buy a scarf when we are on holiday in the EU. They are cheaper in Euros than the UK price in £ and you can also claim tax back, which saves again. I like to have an item connected with a special holiday. You’re not guaranteed that the shop will have the one you want in stock but it does mean that you can try them on - often the item that I’ve had in mind did not suit as well as a different scarf.

The are lovely works of art but I can't erase the image of the late Queen with one on her head tied under the neck.

This looks interesting...

https://hermesscarf.co.uk/all-scarves/

I think many people associate Hermès with their vintage designs with equestrian, nautical and military themes. I don’t think the late Queen would wear anything by Jan Bajtlik or Alice Shirley.

@Whowhatwerewolf I have 8 Hermes silk scarves: 90x90. Yes, there is a difference. They are quite a heavy silk and of course they are Hermes design. People who know Hermes know the designs. Several of mine were new, but 3 I’ve recently acquired from pre loved outlets. They are clearly photographed and documented and invariably cheaper. Some designs are more than others though. I absolutely love mine.

I've never had a problem with moths.

I've been having fun researching the different designers. Alice Shirley and Jan Bjatlik are amazing.

This one by Robert Dallet has caught my eye - it's beautiful and fun and the colours would suit me and my wardrobe
https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/jungle-love-forever-scarf-90-H001876Sv29/

If I don't buy until next year it gives me loads of time to research and decide.

I've been having fun researching the different designers. Alice Shirley and Jan Bjatlik are amazing.

This one by Robert Dallet has caught my eye - it's beautiful and fun and the colours would suit me and my wardrobe
https://www.hermes.com/uk/en/product/jungle-love-forever-scarf-90-H001876Sv29/

If I don't buy until next year it gives me loads of time to research and decide.

Jungle Love is popular, there have been several reissues. If it’s gone from Hermès (they are limited and do disappear, albeit slowly) you will find one second hand for sure. Just beware that this is one of the more faked designs. The other two notoriously faked ones are Wild Singapore by Alice Shirley and Cosmographia Universalis (Bajtlik).

I do find it quite a dated look, very middle aged woman, the pop of colour, and think it’s better being current, as a woman in that demographic.

if I was to buy one, I’d buy on vinted and just have it dry cleaned.

https://www.vinted.co.uk/catalog?search_text=hermès%20scarves%20silk&search_id=31635058371

Thank you again. @CortieTat I think my absolute favourite I've seen so far is Into the Canadian Wild by Alice Shirley but it must be very sought after as the prices are shocking. Any chance of a reissue of this one do you think? I'd be very nervous buying second hand as I obviously don't know what I'm doing 🤣

https://scarfsage.com/hermes-scarves/941-into-the-canadian-wild/5346

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/1834008942/rare-hermes-alice-shirley-into-the-wild

In terms of being dated - I think it's classic and depends on how it's styled and what it's worn with that determines whether it's dated. I'm fifty something and do wear modern clothes like barrel and wide leg trousers and lots of Uniqlo etc but want something timeless and high quality to pull things together.

Both would be useful for different things. The Joules is much smaller and easier to wear. Hermes scarves are big. And yes they are amazing quality, thick silk.

Have you looked on EBay or Vestiaire Collective for a preloved one in good condition?

One tip is not just to think about the design but specifically whether the colours work with your face and your clothes.

Yep, massive improvement - they’re the best. Heavy but soft. Don’t crease in unsightly manner.

Suggest go and feel one in shop.

Careful you don’t get them nicked, keep
them on when out.

I’ve only destroyed one once, otherwise they’re pretty bulletproof, survive washing machine etc..

I have bought H scarves from them, they are definitely authentic. Luckily I started my collection years ago before H became a thing. If 90s don't suit you @Whowhatwerewolf, try 70s or 45s. 70s work better for all seasons. My 140 CSGM were the current price of a 90. Happily, I don't much like most of the newer designers so I'm not tempted, although I have made an exception for Alice Shirley.

Not all are now silk screened BTW, some are digitally printed, they tend to be the less expensive ones.

You can definitely tell the difference between H and other brands. The silk twill is like nothing else.

How do you tell which ones are digitally printed? The 90s all cost the same on my website except for double-faced ones so I would not be able to tell.

It’s difficult to say what gets reissued. I have been looking for and waiting for Awooooo! and so far no luck.

Look at sold listings on eBay and VC to get an idea of what people are willing to pay, it’s much more accurate.

An important thing to consider is how a scarf looks worn, some designs are (IMO) acquired taste but they are very popular because they look good folded, or look good folded in every possible way.

My lovely mil who is in her 90s has kept every Hermes, Dior and Chanel item she has bought in her whole life, including receipts, dust bags and boxes. The scarves are just stunning.

I bought an Hermes scarf around 20 years ago when I was in Paris. It was lovely quality, but I was in my early 20s and never wore it, so I sold it. Even though I thought it was lovely quality I wouldn’t buy one again. I’d be too afraid of ruining it for one!

Nobody looking at you will probably know or care, but you might find the cheaper one puckers, bobbles or doesn't withstand the wash as well.

I am super into frugality, environmental and ethical issues around clothing and I think of items in terms of cost per use.

So if you buy a £100 scarf and wear it 100 times, that is better than a £5 scarf worn once.

There is also the environmental and human cost of producing, transporting and ultimately disposing of the item. If it goes to landfill in a short space of time etc.

Pre-owned or vintage garments are also often better quality for a fraction of the monetary, environmental and human cost.

Someone may have received the silk scarf you want as a gift or bought it on a whim and never/barely worn it.