Le Songe de la Licorne – Hermes
turtleneck – Uniqlo, trousers – Uniqlo
Earrings – Ruifier, bag – Ippolito, boots – Born, jacket – Fenn Wright Manson
Earrings – Jennifer Meyer, bag – Betty and Betts, boots – Rag and Bone, coat – Hoss Intropia
Earrings – Stephanie Kantis, bag – Dareen Hakim, boots – Eileen Fisher, coat – Pleats Please by Issey Miyake
Earrings – Bronzallure, bag – Mary and Marie, boots – sole (sense)ability, down coat – John Lewis
Earrings – Michael Kors, bag – Ina Kent, boots – Mephisto, coat – Salvatore Ferragamo
Earrings – Mei-Li Rose, clutch bag – Sabrina Zeng, boots – Giuseppe Zanotti, coat – Burberry London
Okay, I’m the first person to admit that this is a LONG way to go in order to choose a scarf, but this is no small purchase for most people – a good deal of planning might be smart. And it’s always good practice to envision how you’ll wear something BEFORE it’s purchased – this can make all of the difference between good buys and bad ones, or the difference between a great purchase and walking away!
Janice – Thank you for a terrific lesson. I'm always amazed at what colors can be pulled out when building an outfit around a scarf, Hermes or any other brand. I am fortunate to own Hermes scarves, but readers can use your principles for any scarf, or even a statement necklace. Love this post, and welcome more like it.
I start every day with you, and look forward to what you will share. :)
Ann
Dear Janice
You surprise me .. everyday you are doing better and better
What a wonderful post
As you said a Hermès sarf it's not a small purchase.. but I think they are worth it..
Would you be so kind to build a wardrobe aroun this one???
http://spain.hermes.com/la-maison-des-carres/carre-twill-100-soie-90cm-voyage-en-etoffes-18-62818.html
Thanks again
http://spain.hermes.com/la-maison-des-carres/carre-twill-100-soie-90cm-voyage-en-etoffes-18-62818.html
And I must say its important to try on the scarf in person, if possible, to make sure the colors suit one's coloring.
I agree with the comments above that your posts are so inspirational. Have to resist the urge to go shopping, but you did put some beautiful ensembles together.
Genius at work (again and again and again)!
Yes, yes and yes again! This demonstrates once again how your talents are way above most style bloggers. Superb.
Deb from Vancouver
Another genius post — with the price tag on those scarves it is so important to think through the purchase, and now you've given us a system for doing it! I like the idea of gathering together a consistently favorite/successful outfit, key color combo, and set of good accessories then choosing the scarf colorway to match or compliment. This is much more sane and rational than showing up at Hermes – without a point of reference, without a clue & at the mercy of the sales associates. The end product will be a scarf that can be enjoyed for a lifetime rather than sitting on a shelf or put out to consignment (money loss either way). Do more of these kinds of posts please! As always, your approach is a breath of fresh air.
This is great. Perhaps if I ever come to Chicago, you can help me pick out a scarf. The choices make my head spin.
I agree with an earlier commenter–color next to one's complexion is key, and figuring out one's color season so liberating! You look like you share my season, soft autumn, Janice. Have you had your colors done? It was a revelation to find out why black makes me look like a corpse (sa cannot wear black or pure white). An Hermes scarf near the face in right colors can do a lot to mitigate the effects of unflattering clothing colors though!
Oh you make me want to buy them ALL!
I like to try on many scarves when I am purchasing a new one as my budget will not permit me to have them all….the clerks in Hermes are very helpful and I usually take my husband along for a second opinion.
Hermes should hire you to put together a book for their scarf presentations!
Oh, my. These gorgeous ensembles do make it seem entirely reasonable (on the day I manage to win the lottery) to buy this scarf in every color!
I enjoyed this post very much. I agree with the other commenters that the scarf must be tried on near the face to make sure the colors are complementary. When choosing to invest in one accessory that has so many colors, I typically will choose the one that has the MOST colors that complement my wardrobe, as to get more wears out of it. So in this reader's inquiry she mentions tan, camel, beige…this leads me to the scarf with the beige ground with a lot of tan and then some accent colors. This way it will go with a majority of her clothes and any accent color clothing she may own can be used to create an outfit. Great work, Janice!
In your choices I thought 4 or 5 would probably work best for someone who wears a lot of tan/beige.
Great advice Janice. My first Hermes scarf was an expensive mistake. I chose it because I loved the design and colours of the WHOLE scarf. While it gives me joy to look at, it doesn't suit me or my wardrobe. I'm off to London and Paris this December and will buy another as a memento of the trip. I've learnt so much from theviviennefiles and other blogs such as Maitai's, that I'm looking forward to having very long drawn out sessions with SA's at the various Hermes stores until I find the perfect choice. I remember being so nervous entering my first store. But I love how they they are so well trained they don't mind spending ages with a customer, even little old me.
Wow. I especially love the black scarf with the two-toned pink coat, but you have made fabulous choices here. What great food for thought. I have a Cynthia Rowley silk velvet/silk satin reversible oblong scarf in shades of turquoise, fuchsia, and purple with various other colors. So far I have only worn it with black or navy. Now I am going to purposefully see how many outfits I can create with what's in my closet. You rock!
Nothing short of brilliant!