June 11, 2013
So one of you recently purchased a very beautiful scarf, and now you’re feeling…. stuck? unsure? It’s a common situation, and one that’s pretty simple to remedy.
Coup de Fouet scarf – Hermes. No longer available from Hermes directly; only in the resale market.
This is the lovely object in question, entitled “Crack of the Whip”. Striking graphics, and an unexpected juxtaposition of yellow in the middle of the purples and blues – those Hermes people are good…First thing you have to isolate is what color or colors drew you into this scarf? If it was the turquoise, for example, you might find that you already own the following items, to complement your scarf.
earrings- Kasturjewels, bracelet- Ralph Lauren, socks – Falke
Further, let’s assume that you own some version of The Common Wardrobe, a couple of simple dresses, and a black skirt.
all clothes – J. Crew EXCEPT black long-sleeved dress – T by Alexander Wang
When you bring in a couple of pieces of turquoise jewelry, and a humble pair of socks, suddenly lots of things fall into place – warm weather, cold weather, casual or dressy.
And what if it wasn’t the turquoise that attracted you???? Maybe it was the amethyst?
amethyst earrings – Scully and Scully, bracelet – Carolee, flats – Salvatore Ferragamo
Or the lilac? The plan is always the same…
earrings – Blue Nile, bracelet – Ted Rossi, socks – Falke
If a scarf that captures your heart share some colors with accessories that you already own and love, then you’re all set. Or you can take this opportunity to add a couple of small items to your wardrobe in order to incorporate a new accent color!
love,
Janice
THANKYOU —-<@
and BTW it WAS the turquoise 🙂
I really like the way you approach getting dressed. Since finding your blog, I have looked differently at my scarves and used them in ways I never thought of before. To my mind your single biggest accomplishment with your blog is to show middle-aged women to dress without ever paying mind to whatever may be trendy or not.
http://australia.hermes.com/woman/scarves/scarves-90/silk-twill/navyblue/configurable-product-002709s-28128.html?nuance=6 not sure if this link will work janice but im hoping it will because its a link to my coup de fouet … they must have slight modifications to each continent …??
That's fascinating- essentially the same colors, but arranged differently. Hermes just never ceases to impress me with their attention to detail.
By the way, i love it in the australia web site version! I can see why vpl fell in love with it.
Hi Janice,
I'm thinking about the Pink Pique Fleuri de Provence. It's got teal towards the center on it. My wardrobe is dove grey, navy, ivory and beige. Would you mind doing one for me?
Thanks!
You never cease to amaze me with your practiced eye! I agree that you have given me an entirely new perspective on (post) middle age dressing. Style is individual but clearly you prove, with every post, that style is not trend. thank you, thank you.
Wow! I love how this post shows an entirely different approach from yesterday's, yet they both work! In one, the core colors are already there and the scarf fits right in with "the family." In the other, the core basics are there and it only takes a couple of additions to make it all work. I'm looking forward to more of these posts. Thank you!
Love how the scarf and bracelet amp up the white shirt and jeans. 🙂
Thank you – this was more than a little inspiring!
Hi Janice,
Here is a fabulous book I have had in my personal library for 20 years. It is fabulous. I am hoping you might be able to find it locally as some of the prices on ABE books for it are incredible…$500-800.
http://www.amazon.com/Triumph-Individual-Style-Dressing-Beauty/dp/1563672693/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1370961488&sr=1-1&keywords=the+triumph+of+individual+style
Deb from Vancouver
1. I really like the revised common wardrobe with the skirt & dresses.
2. Congratulations on your brave and courageous changes!
Carla.
I love this post! I actually have this scarf but didn't even realize just how lovely this scarf is until you pointed it out to me 🙂 Thanks for that!
This is why I keep collecting those scarves, my clothes are so plain… and it's such a delight to play with them. Thank you! (Evvery tine I post on a scarf, someone suggests they are stuffy or "dadame"- so I direct that commenter to your blog.)
Duchesse, I now own three Hermes scarves, in no small part as a result of reading your blog and this one. I took your advice and all three of my scarves have great corners. Thank you! I wore one of them today–with cropped black pants and a loose white tunic/blouse. The scarf transformed my outfit. Thank you Janice and thank you Duchesse!
This is probably a silly question but I'm a non scarf person – do you fold it differently depending on which colors you want to emphasize?
Absolutely! Hermes often has 4 different corners, or at least 2. See Mai Tai's blog for folding and tying ideas
Coincidentally, I just saw this scarf for the first time this week on ebay (what shocking prices compared to our local online auctions!!) and noticed the whip lines, which appealed by their stark, art-deco-like shape!
I actually bought two scarves this week at very reasonable prices, one in red with brights (Grande Roue) and another in silver grey and gold and look forward to using them. Today I am wearing Couvée d'Hermes as a top (diagonal fold) with black pants and a black drape cardigan with a red thin belt and cherry red ballerinas – despite my ample bosom, this looks very nice (and the cardigan hides my bra straps) 🙂
It's fascinating how one scarf can make such a huge difference in the Common Wardrobe. I *live* in the Common Wardrobe, for work and play. It's pretty awesome to know that, with small tweaks, it can take you almost anywhere. My LBD's are both Eileen Fisher. My pants are from Talbots, LL Bean and J Crew. It's amazing how clothing that's 'basic' can truly multi-use. You helped me see how much I already had in my closet…and not what I think I need.
(And because I've inherited my mom's vintage Hermes and Gucci scarf collection, I'm pretty much all set…)
Oooh,lucky you! Some of the older Gucci scarves are gorgeous…
I adore the sight