Musings on "Give me your tired..." of How to tie the not so perfect scarf perfectly...

A few years ago a friend who knows that the scarf design closest to my heart is "Fauna et Flore du Texas", gave me ( I say gave because the price for which she parted it to me, was nearly free) a Texas Wildlife that had reached her in a state other than described in an eBay listing.

The scarf was beautiful but it had some little holes near the hem of one edge. My friend feared that they were moth holes, I suspect that it had been chewed in a zipper. But it was after all a Texas, ( I own more Texas Wildlife than any other design it truly is very close to my heart, and I wear them a lot) and I believed that the damage was not the scarf's fault it still deserved to be loved and cared for as any other. (Actually I end up wearing this one more than all of the others, because I don't have to worry that something might happen to him.)

Many collectors have those pieces in their collections, that were not cared for properly by previous owners, and are always looking for ways to tie them to hide the imperfections.

Well today again I got out my tried and true Oliver Holy Turkey to wear to a doctor's appointment this morning. Allergies are leaving me feeling drained and blue, and I needed a scarf that would make me feel not so punky. My Turkey came through with shining colors.

As I was tying him on this morning I happen to realize that I was using my perfected plisse knot with still another carre. This caused me to pause and realize that this is the perfect knot for hiding any imperfections and still go on enjoying a scarf that deserves to be enjoyed.

Musings Again On So Many Scarves So Little Time...

London fashion designer Danielle Scutt answered the age old question for any scarf collector last week at a preview of her Spring "09" collection. That question "How to find the time to wear all of those scarves???"



Answer wear them all at once....


Sorry...I'm just not someone who could ever pull this off!

Musings on Hermes Vent Portant

The scarf pictured above is Hermes "Vent Portant" designed by Yannick Manier in 1992. It has never been re-issued. There was a later issue of a detail (a partial print of the original design). This scarf again has amazing detail.

Hermes uses an overlay of a heavier solid white dye called Matte Blanc on many of their designs especially the older pieces. Matte Blanc creates a light reflective sparkle which gives the design depth. There is an incredible use of Matte Blanc in this particular design on the waves. Giving them a very real appearance, you can almost hear the sound of the sea.

Yannick Manier was a very prolific artist of Marine paintings, his pieces show up quite a bit on the art auction circuit. He also illustrated many books on the subject of marine navigation. There is a very famous catamaran which bears his name.

This design does not come up often on the resale market. I recently placed mine up for sale at a reasonable price but did not get any takers. I think that was karma as I really don't think I wanted to sell it, as it ties beautifully and goes well with my favorite grey cashmere sweater.

Musings on Rings For Hermes Pochettes

Hermes Pochettes are just as collectible as their other scarves and shawls. Sometimes a design was released in a pochette, such as "Metamorphose D'un Carre" and "Jardins D'Eden". Pochettes can often be a fun way to start an Hermes scarf collection for the new collector, and they allow us to go ahead and wear a nice silk scarf when weather directs otherwise.

Recently I was involved in a discussion on "just what can be used as a scarf ring for Hermes Pochettes?" Now Hermes makes some nice rings for them, there are the twilly rings, and most recently horn, and metal "chaine d'ancre" rings that are quite nice, but some feel they run on the expensive side. I myself like them but feel they are a bit limiting.

I like to vari my rings as I vari my scarves. To me the wearing of a pochette while still sophisticated, also has a bit of an avant garde look to the style. Therefore I enjoy really coming up with unusual rings to wear with them.

I have found interesting vintage pieces such as bakelite pieces, old victorian scarf slides made of carved ivory, and gold; not only add texture, but attract the eye.

Here are a few of my favorite pieces from my vintage collection which I reserve for my pochettes.



This is one of my favorites given to me by my mother before she passed away. It is a smooth bakelite piece embeded with rhinestones and is flat towards the back and lays so nice upon the neck. It adds a touch of elegance to this "Musique des Spheres" pochette.

This is an unusual piece a mixture of wood, stone, rosegold, and shell. I think that it pairs well with this Legende Kuna Peuple de Panama. (You can click on any picture and it will open larger)

This is another vintage bakelite paired with rhinestones, piece, and pairs nicely with Metamorphose D'un Carre.

Yet another bakelite / rhinestone piece.

This is a gold victorian scarf clip it pairs nicely with this Effluves. This type of scarf clip is not easy to come by, it has an inner hinge that is smooth an pinches in to hold it in place.
This is a carved ivory piece in the shape of a belt with buckle. The buckle pieces are inlaid silver. It kind of says Hermes to me in a very vintage way.


This is an all glass millefiori paperweight ring and is a highlight when paired with a Sulfures pouchette.

As you can see the sky is the limit when it comes to finding vintage and antique pieces to use as scarf rings for Hermes Pouchettes. Make the most of your own style and imagination, most of all have fun.

Tying An Hermes Scarf Carre Using A Plisse Knot

I like to try at times to tie my scarves in such a way as to really see a lot of the design. One of the best ways I have found to do this is to use a knot technique that was originally developed for the Plisse scarf. Below is the picture from the Plisse tying booklet. I will attempt to show you photos of how to do this technique with a regular carre or 36 inch square scarf.

First I start with the scarf off of my neck, underside up. I then pleat fold two opposing corners. See the illustrations below. The pleat folding does not have to be exact in fact it should not be, as this is what gives the billowy look to the scarf while wearing.



Now you are going to grasp the scarf in the very center keeping the pleated area bunched, and place the scarf on your neck. It is a good idea to pull it down in front kind of taunt in order to hold the pleating or bunching in place at the back of your neck.
With the front points hanging down, pull out from the center edge two little "tugs" of the scarf edge. You will be tying these together in a knot.

Once you have the little pieces "tugged" out, loop right over left and pull up slowly and tightly in place below your chin.

Now you will have some lovely billowy poofs that you can either arrange and let hang softly at your neck or off to the side, as I did with the Les Merveilles de La Vapuer below.

Or you can follow through with a full know of the tugged out areas which provides the final look of the Chevaux de France I am wearing in the picture shown last in this post.

Musings On Hermes Scarf Artist Philippe Dauchez

On July 23, 1948, France named Philippe Dauchez their official Maritime painter. His father Andre Dauchez had himself served as the official painter of the Navy, and would have wanted to direct his son towards a career in science. But Philippe Dauchez had been surrounded by artistic medium since childhood, and his love of both art and the sea quickly took root.

During a time in history when the rest of the world is just discovering the world of pleasure boating, Philippe is quietly building hid own sailing vessel in order to devote time to his passion. This passion came to an abrupt halt with the onset the war. Having obtained the coveted title of official painter of the Navy, he will then cease to sail on the seas of the world for the pleasure of cruising and racing. Instead he will carrying out his duties to document the history through the painting of France’s National marine.

His painting is spontaneous and merry, it the precise rendering and character requested of the official painters of the Navy, but it also has the reflection of the artists feelings as we can see here in the Hermes scarf bearing his signature. Here we pause as if on the docks to notice the quiet resting place of the yachts of a yacht club. Perhaps on the morning, just prior to opening day.

Speaking of Washing. This Is Definitely Not Something I Would Advise Doing With An Hermes Scarf!

Art out of art is an interesting idea, but I am not sure how I feel about this piece. It does make me shudder!

So Many Scarves, So Little Time!

Sir Francis Osbert Sacheverell Sitwell the 5th Baronet once wrote "...a scarf is, admittedly, not a tapestry, not a dress; it is a mere square of silk or some other material intended to be worn around the head. But it can be treated as a work of art. It can be collected like a rare book or print..."


Ahhh! So many scarves and just not enough time!

Musings on Tying Hermes Pocket Scarves, Otherwise Known As Pochettes

I am always trying to experiment with Hermes Pochettes to find a way to tie them that lets a lot of the design show while wearing. Today is was playing with a pouchette and a Chaine d'Ancre scarf slide. I discovered a nice way to incorporate the slide to give weight and body to a sort of poof at the neck that is very nice with a simple jewel neckline.


Lay the pochette face down, bring opposite corners through the openings of the Chaine d'Ancre and tie it in place.


Once the Chaine d'Ancre is secure and in place, then you can flip the scarf over, and tie it into postion at your neckline.

The weight of the Chaine d'Ancre helps the pochette stay in place and assists the scarf to poof, displaying most of the design in a nice way at the base of the neck.

One Knot Three Scarves - A Good Basic Knot For Any Silk Scarf

There was a knot that we discussed and tried in the scarf groups a while back called the "Friendship Knot". It can be found by searching the web. Although it is a beautiful and interesting knot, many found it difficult to tie on a whim.

I was playing around with a chiffon GM one day feeling a bit rushed to get it tied and be on my way. I discovered a quick variation on the "Friendship Knot" theme, but much easier, and faster to accomplish. I don't have a name for it, as it is simply what happened when I flipped one end of the scarf this way, then that and was done.

The good thing about this knot is it is very versatile. I have often heard others say that they do not wear GM (the larger 54 x 54 inch) scarves because they are shorter in stature and feel they do not know what to do with all of the fabric. This knot solves that problem. It also works well for oblong scarves that are not square as well as the regular carre size.

Here is how it is accomplished:

If using a square scarf first start with a basic bias fold. Hold with one end slightly longer than the other end. With the longer end pinch a loop.


Then bring the un-pinched end over the top of the loop you made by pinching.

Coming down across the loop, bring that same end up against you and through the top of the opening at your neck.

Now bring that end up, over and down into the center of the pinched loop.

Pull tight and straighten to adjust. And Voila!

I have found that this knot is also great for when you think it might just be too warm to wear a scarf, as it can be tied so that it keeps a lot of the fabric away from the front of your neck. It hangs nicely and even creates a little cooling flutter.

Wearing Scarves - Scarf Tip

So you say that a particular scarf does not look good on you? Perhaps it is not the scarf, but what you have chosen to wear the scarf with. Try paring the color of the background or the border of the scarf with its complimentary color on the color wheel. That is the color directly opposite its position on the color wheel. Make sure to keep the tone consistent, that is if you have a muted blue, then pair it with a muted orange or pumpkin color. Try this and see the compliments you receive on your choice of colors.

Playtime With Hermes Pouchette Scarves

Recently I found these wonderful headbands that really lend themselves to wearing Pouchettes, (or Pocket Squares) as a headband in my hair. The headbands are made out of very soft and flexible rubberized plastic, and although they have little teeth they are very soft and do not harm the scarf.

The headband is a very swirly design with a lot of little holes making the scarf easily secured at each end.

I fold the pouchette on a regular bias fold, then proceed to secure by wrapping and knotting at the ends. Then Voila! The pouchette adds color and is a fun way to continue to wear my Hermes when the heat wants to prevent me from wearing a scarf.