Scarves: Folding down a carré for petites or summer
The day she received her Hermès scarf bought in the Passage, a woman I'll call "Rose" e-mailed me with a diplomatically-phrased message of buyer's remorse.
She found her scarf gorgeous, but thought the volume overwhelmed her petite figure. For a sense of what she meant, here I'm wearing "Jungle Love" 'big'. I have petite friends who wear it just this way, but they are happy with that silk swath and Rose was not.
This was Rose's first carré; I thought maybe she didn't know how to literally take it in hand, so sent examples of tying the scarf 'down', posted on MaiTai's Picture Book. (To find these, search "MaiTai scarf knotting cards" plus "Vol I", "Vol II" and "Vol III" to see three different posts; the link does not appear on her blog.)
The elegant Mai Tai also has a few demos on her You Tube channel, MaiTai Collection (I especially like the "scarf as necklace"), or you could download Hermès' free app for iPhone and iPad.
Here's my favourite 'down' tie, a neat, much smaller effect:
Directions:
I tried the waist bag, more flattering than I'd guessed; filled with coin purse and phone, it felt comfortable and secure.
Directions:
I tested these bag directions:
I think the example above shows a large ("GM") shawl, not a 35-inch carré, which folds into a size that would tote essentials out to dinner. (If you knot for long handles on a 35-inch scarf, the body will be small; I found the proportions better as a handbag.) For a little shape I inserted the nylon triple pouch that I use to transfer my stuff between bags.
There are other bag options; one from Martha Stewart uses bangles as handles.
Exploring the book, I tried a head wrap. For fairly brief outings, I'd prefer it to a hat—it doesn't blow off and stows easily in a bag when not needed.
When you need a brim, you might use the scarf as a hatband, or tie it over the crown:
Rose replied with thanks. She said maybe she had been intimidated by her carré, and was experimenting with the ties.
These ties work for any 35-inch square made with good weight linen, cotton or silk, but silk drapes best; just look it in the eye and show it who's boss!
She found her scarf gorgeous, but thought the volume overwhelmed her petite figure. For a sense of what she meant, here I'm wearing "Jungle Love" 'big'. I have petite friends who wear it just this way, but they are happy with that silk swath and Rose was not.
This was Rose's first carré; I thought maybe she didn't know how to literally take it in hand, so sent examples of tying the scarf 'down', posted on MaiTai's Picture Book. (To find these, search "MaiTai scarf knotting cards" plus "Vol I", "Vol II" and "Vol III" to see three different posts; the link does not appear on her blog.)
The elegant Mai Tai also has a few demos on her You Tube channel, MaiTai Collection (I especially like the "scarf as necklace"), or you could download Hermès' free app for iPhone and iPad.
Here's my favourite 'down' tie, a neat, much smaller effect:
Directions:
I tried the waist bag, more flattering than I'd guessed; filled with coin purse and phone, it felt comfortable and secure.
Directions:
I tested these bag directions:
I think the example above shows a large ("GM") shawl, not a 35-inch carré, which folds into a size that would tote essentials out to dinner. (If you knot for long handles on a 35-inch scarf, the body will be small; I found the proportions better as a handbag.) For a little shape I inserted the nylon triple pouch that I use to transfer my stuff between bags.
There are other bag options; one from Martha Stewart uses bangles as handles.
Exploring the book, I tried a head wrap. For fairly brief outings, I'd prefer it to a hat—it doesn't blow off and stows easily in a bag when not needed.
When you need a brim, you might use the scarf as a hatband, or tie it over the crown:
Rose replied with thanks. She said maybe she had been intimidated by her carré, and was experimenting with the ties.
These ties work for any 35-inch square made with good weight linen, cotton or silk, but silk drapes best; just look it in the eye and show it who's boss!
Comments
I like the headband look on you. I am eager to go and practise when Monsieur wakes up. Merci.
Cathy Wong
Wendy
Mmm: Practically endless though I prefer the simpler ties.
LauraH: I was limited by space, there are many options and of course always tying it on a bag.
Cathy: Twill of that quality is very strong and I have never had 'stretch marks' (there :)) like you see in lower end silk scarves.
Cornelia: There are also many 'intermediate' folds like this one, that do not overwhelm a smaller figure: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/lagarde-luvvies--how-christine-lagarde-charmed-the-world-7788803.html
Wendy: You might knot them lower, like this:http://www.maitaispicturebook.com/2011/09/waterfall-necklace-autumn-colours-two.html
My friend Sandy, who has a voluptuous chin, does this.
frugal: As in my city, there has always been a voluminous scarf crowd but if you have ever been in Paris in July you will see far less, as AC is less universal there. There is also a summer weight, the silk chiffons, light cottons and linens.
Mmm: Practically endless though I prefer the simpler ties.
LauraH: I was limited by space, there are many options and of course always tying it on a bag.
Cathy: Twill of that quality is very strong and I have never had 'stretch marks' (there :)) like you see in lower end silk scarves.
Cornelia: There are also many 'intermediate' folds like this one, that do not overwhelm a smaller figure: http://www.standard.co.uk/lifestyle/london-life/lagarde-luvvies--how-christine-lagarde-charmed-the-world-7788803.html
Wendy: You might knot them lower, like this:http://www.maitaispicturebook.com/2011/09/waterfall-necklace-autumn-colours-two.html
My friend Sandy, who has a voluptuous chin, does this.
frugal: As in my city, there has always been a voluminous scarf crowd but if you have ever been in Paris in July you will see far less, as AC is less universal there. There is also a summer weight, the silk chiffons, light cottons and linens.
I love those Hermes scarf tying books...in have kept all of mine and have a set of scarf tying cards too which are fun.
You look great wearing it as a bandana.
Mardel: I probably own more than necessary but do enjoy them and they always fit!
LPC: Ah, the sidelines, I know that locale well.
Mardel: I probably own more than necessary but do enjoy them and they always fit!
LPC: Ah, the sidelines, I know that locale well.
Mardel: I probably own more than necessary but do enjoy them and they always fit!
LPC: Ah, the sidelines, I know that locale well.
So nice of you -- but that's you all over.
C.
C.: There are also a number of ties that sit up at the neck and therefore the scarf is not slippery at all. Maybe not for summer, but in fall, maybe you would like to try them.
And in summer, I just found this charming one:
http://www.maitaispicturebook.com/2011/08/collier-knot-cool-knot-for-high.html
Great post, as always. Thanks!
That full shawl look shows the pattern fully and I often wear it over a v-neck sweater- but, I live in a cold climate.