About Fashion Scarves

Silk is favored for high fashion scarves.

The concept of the scarf as we know it today probably originated in ancient Rome. A linen cloth called a sudarium ("sweat cloth") was an accessory used for wiping the face and neck. Romans wore these cloths around their necks or waists in a knot. Eventually, the sweat cloth developed into a fashion item rather than one used merely for function. It evolved into the scarf.

Evolution

In the 17th century the scarf served a military purpose. Fabric scarves identified soldiers by their rank, with the officers among them distinguished by silk versions. By the 18th century, the scarf was an accessory worn by men and women alike. It became the fashion to indicate one's political persuasion through the colors of a scarf.

Aviator Scarf

The aviator scarf has a romantic image; it was long, luxuriously silky and worn by flying legends such as Amelia Earhart and Howard Hughes. In addition, the U.S. Army manufactured the scarf in black and red, and the Flying Tigers military pilots wore their own special design of aviator scarves. Motorcyclists and race car drivers also took up the aviator scarf fashion.

Manufacturers and Materials

Hand-knitted wool scarves are sought-after accessories.

Manufacturers experimented with different fabrics for scarves, and wool grew in popularity for its warmth and comfort. Today, the most popular fashion scarves come in silk, wool, cashmere, pashmina and fleece. China, India, Hong Kong and Indonesia are among the world's leading manufacturing centers of scarves. The versatility of silk scarves as fashion accessories keeps them popular. Models wear them on fashion runways as headgear, belts, sashes, draped on handbags and in other styles to complement their clothes. Because silk is porous, it is cool in the summer and warm in the winter, making it a natural choice for a scarf. The sheen of silk creates a chic and beautiful look.

High-Fashion Designers

Among the top French couture houses that create exclusive fashion scarves are Chanel, Christian Dior, Hermès, Louis Vuitton and Yves Saint Laurent, each with its own unique design themes.

Hermès Scarf History

The renowned French high fashion retailer, Hermes is synonymous with signature silk scarves. However, when Thierry Hermès first founded the company in Paris in 1837, it was as a harness workshop catering to European nobility. Today, the company's carriage with horse logo is easily recognizable as a sign of impeccable quality and craftsmanship. Hermès introduced its first classic, custom-made carre (scarf) in 1937, a print of fashionable ladies in white wigs playing a period board game, called "Jeu des Ombinus et Dames Blanches." At a dedicated factory in Lyon, the creation of hand-printed, hand-sewn Hermès scarves from specially imported raw Chinese silk became an art. Hermès' horse motif scarves are especially popular among the more than 2,500 designs introduced since 1937. Famous wearers of Hermès scarves include Queen Elizabeth II, Hillary Clinton, Sarah Jessica Parker, Oprah Winfrey, Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis, Princess Grace of Monaco and Audrey Hepburn.

References

• Scarf Aid: Ties That Bind---History of Fashion Scarves
• Flight Store: Aviators Silk White Flying Scarf
• Your New Fragrance: Hermès

Resources

• Soft Pedia: That's A Wrap
• Modern Nights: French Fashion Designers