Foulard de la semaine
“Aux pays des épices” Hermès carré, worn entirely un-ironically. I like how these colors work with my navy blazer.
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Sorry about the deletion – early morning middle aged brain.
The scarf is lovely! I like how the colors in it accent the color of your hair. You make looking stylish so effortless. I am uncertain in the area of scarves but I’m getting warmer to the idea of experimenting.
Do you think scarves draw attention away from or to large breasts? I’d like something that would not draw more attention to them as they make enough of a statement on their own.
Special (The google account is giving me trouble-not sure why)
Special – Thanks! Yes, by all means play and experiment with your scarves in front of the mirror, then wear around the house until you find some stylings that feel comfortable and organic. My passion for scarves developed only a few years ago, and it took lots of trial and error before they felt like a natural part of my ensemble.
I think scarves can *definitely* draw attention away from a large chest. I often use a scarf to create the illusion of a v-neck when I’m wearing higher neck tops, to mitigate my larger bust (the horizontal/vertical lines fool the eye). Of you can wear kerchief-style as I’ve done above. Scarves generally draw attention upward toward the face, always a good thing for those of us who are full-busted.
Now THAT’s how to wear a carré! You are so right about drawing the eye up; they also flatter a not-so-smooth neck and really change up my basic tops.
I love those colours on you, especially against the navy — what a rich-looking scarf! Do I detect a new hairstyle in this photo — are you growing it out? Whatever, it looks great!
Tres chic!
Gorgeous!
Pseu; I love those rich autumn colors. They do make a lovely complement to your navy jacket and hair color. This fall I’ve been wearing my carres tied with a large triangular knot in the center so that it looks like a chunky necklace.
I really do enjoy all of your scarf postings. You give me so many good ideas.
Stunning the way you’ve made it look wavy and fresh instead of uptight and da-dame. Very pretty.
Color heaven! To say nothing of shape…
Lovely. And so un-ironic.
Don’t care what the French are doing (or not doing) with their Hermes scarves– they are stunningly beautiful on their own terms. I’ve occasionally seen one or two that did not impress, but generally they qualify as wearable art. Twenty years from now they will still have a place in a woman’s wardrobe, because they give the wearer distinction and elegance. Your photo is a perfect example–it looks gorgeous with your colouring!(My favourite of yours, though, remains the green “A Walk In the Park”. Yum!)
P.S. I also love them because they retain their value over the years–some socialite remarked in the New York Times that in this recession, her Hermes collection of scarves was worth more than when she got them–something she couldn’t say about her financial portfolio.(Also, I’ll always be able to wear them no matter how big my hips get—you gotta love that!)
The big 36″ scarves have always seemed a little overwhelming on my short (5’2″) frame. I do, however, love neckerchiefs and 28″ square is perfect. The Hermes 70 cm size (that’s 28″ square) is new to me. I would love to have one of those. I have indulged in the men’s pocket squares (pochettes?) which are 17″ square but their uses are limited. Great post and I love the color against the navy.
Katriona, it is not “the French”, but “les Parisiennes”, and a certain class of Parisiennes, as I thought I’d explained in relating the snark of some of these. These are people who can afford these scarves but consider themselves utterly too cool for them.
Indeed they are classic, and if they temporarily go out of “fashion”, it won’t have any lasting impact on their value, as the latter also depends on their craftspersonship.
As for this scarf, from what I can see of it it is one of my favourite Hermès I’ve ever seen. Googled it – WOW! Nothing horsey about this one. A photo shopping in areas redolent of “Oriental” spices in a Paris market is de rigueur on your next visit, Mme pseu.
Special, agree about scarves and busts – but it isn’t so much a matter of “drawing attention away” but of preventing the unpleasant, heavy, uniboob look. Nothing wrong with breasts of any size, but I have that dressing problem as well.
One of the great benefits of this and the constellation of blogs linked to (I started looking at these via “the thoughtful dresser” but Linda isn’t posting much these days) is that it really trains or retrains our eye as to how to wear scarves, clothes and other things, whatever our resources, the scarves we have access to or our personal style. I don’t have any Hermès – I would like this one – but I do have some nice Italian silk scarves and interesting artisanal ones.
Mmmm, like liquid caramel.
Charming! But how does it stay in it´s place; I mean when you turn this way and that way and..?
Love that colour on you so much and looks very chic with the navy too ….
Duchesse – thanks!
What A Splurge – yes, I think the full-size carrés can be tricky for those of us who are more petite. I’m on the lookout for more of those 28″ vintage scarves.
materfamilias – thank you! This is another favorite…the colors are so rich. Yes, stay tuned for a Hair Update tomorrow.
That’s Not My Age – merci beaucoup!
Belle – thanks!
Laurie Ann – thanks so much. I’m glad to help provide scarf inspiration.
tishjett – thanks so much!
LPC – thank you. The colors in this one are indeed fabulous.
metscan – the drape does shift, but basically the scarf stays in place.
Miss Janey – thank you!
Katriona – thanks, and yes, I think there will always be a place in my wardrobe for these scarves. One of the great things about Hermès scarves is the variety of colors and designs. Something for almost everyone!
lagatta – you might be surprised; there are a lot of Hermès scarf designs that aren’t at all stodgy or horsey. The colors can range from almost monochrome to rich and saturated, as with this scarf. When looking at a case full of scarves, I tend to zero in on colors first, then look at designs. But sometimes I’m head over heels for a design (as with Les Toits de Paris) and then keep hunting until I find in a colorway I like.
Sue – thanks!
Anoninoz – merci!
Lagatta– I stand corrected, and you are absolutely right–that those Parisiennes are in category all to themselves, snarkwise.And long may they sniff, if they leave all the Hermes Carres to me..that L’Espices one really is gorgeous in that colorway.
Speaking of Italian, I also love Pucci scarves for their exuberance. Completely different from Hermes, but so extrovert!
Lovely, lovely! I wear an Hermès nearly every day (today it’s a vintage Couvertures et Tenues in a lemon yellow and crayon green)but I don’t yet have Epices! So cruel!
Btw, your Dorothy Parker quote is actually Diana Vreeland, from her memoir, DV.
The quote is “Vulgarity is a very important ingredient in life. I’m a great believer in vulgarity — if it’s got vitality. A little bad taste is like a splash of paprika.We all need a splash of bad taste. It’s hearty, it’s healthy, it’s physical.”
Plumcake – thank you! This is one of my favorite designs, and the colorway is right up my palette.
And thanks for the correction on the quote…you’d be amazed how many websites have it wrong! I’ve fixed it on the sidebar.