Help, i keep going backwards & forwards!!..i buy H scarves, all from ebay (more often dissappointed with condition) think they don't suit me, tried the twilly too!, sell them on and start again. Phew...let me explain, when i buy from Hermes store i'm ok, i dont mind paying for what i want, but i never seem to be happy with ebay finds. do you think its all in the mind. some would say you can get a good scarf for under half price and often a discontinued line. so i decided to forget ebay and just buy a new scarf from Bond St in London but then i see another on ebay...,and i'm tempted again...help me out...oh and also when buying a scarf should you choose it on the strength of the design or the colour and whether that will suit you..Help me please...i'm going mad. Last ?..do any Hermes scarf lovers buy other scarf by other designers. Thank you.
Hermes scarf - help me out!!!
- Thread starter iwantahermes
- Start date
TPF may earn a commission from merchant affiliate
links, including eBay, Amazon, and others
A bargain isn't a bargain if you don't like it or wear it. I would stick to the Hermes boutiques for purchases. Many designs look entirely different when tied. Many beautiful colorways don't flatter. The only way to know for sure is to try them on.
If you keep making mistakes buying scarves on Ebay, then just don't look there anymore.
I've made some of the same mistakes. We're only human.
If you keep making mistakes buying scarves on Ebay, then just don't look there anymore.
I've made some of the same mistakes. We're only human.
I find that it's easier to buy at the boutique where you can try on, at least until you have a better feel for what suits you and what doesn't. A lot of scarves look very different when tied and it took me a while to develop an 'eye' for which ones I would like on me. I would often march into the boutique wanting a specific scarf only to try it on and find that it looked horrid on me. Now I am much better at guessing, because I've tried so many on. If you're having trouble getting things you like on eBay, stick to the boutique. As for condition, it helps to be in the habit of handwashing your scarves because a few spots are less daunting since you know what to do with them.
I have started collecting scarves just in the last nine months or so, so I am a relative newbie, but here is how I've gone about it (this is long, but it helps me out, too, to put it in writing, so I hope you don't mind)...
Regarding eBay: I have been pleased with a lot of my ebay purchases. I try to buy them systematically--I have a wishlist that I don't always stick to, but I am always familiar with designs/colorways I purchase and have been thinking about them a while. I've had great experiences with sellers recommended on tPF and have dealt with other good sellers too--usually collectors who may only sell scarves occasionally and take the time to post detailed pictures and descriptions of condition. I'm often tempted by low prices, but I try not to buy anything I don't want enough to pay near retail for, even if I don't actually end up paying that much.
As for choosing scarves: I have to like both the design and the colorway, although often one will grab me more than the other. There are designs I really like that I just can't find in suitable colorways or don't look right on me, so I haven't bought them. I generally gravitate toward intricate designs, usually more whimsical than literal in their depictions of animals (I think most of my scarves have animals on them) in bright, saturated colors; I like designs that relate to things I've long been interested in (places/cultures/etc.), although I don't limit myself to those. They should also tie well; if there's not much going on in the corners of the design it probably won't be that interesting when it's worn.
Inevitably there is some trial and error, but I've had a pretty good success rate buying scarves I love.
And I have to say, there's nothing like a brand-new scarf from the store crisply folded in its orange box. I have my grails, but I really love the scarves I've bought in the store, so maybe if you're not just feeling your ebay scarves you should stick to the boutiques. And in the boutique, as elle tee said, you can try on a lot of scarves and get a sense of what works on you. Oh, and to echo another thing she said--I just washed a couple of my scarves for the first time (there are several good threads about washing scarves) and they're very clean and touchable, so if I did happen to receive a scarf that needed a good washing I would have the nerve to do it now.
I hope that helps!
Regarding eBay: I have been pleased with a lot of my ebay purchases. I try to buy them systematically--I have a wishlist that I don't always stick to, but I am always familiar with designs/colorways I purchase and have been thinking about them a while. I've had great experiences with sellers recommended on tPF and have dealt with other good sellers too--usually collectors who may only sell scarves occasionally and take the time to post detailed pictures and descriptions of condition. I'm often tempted by low prices, but I try not to buy anything I don't want enough to pay near retail for, even if I don't actually end up paying that much.
As for choosing scarves: I have to like both the design and the colorway, although often one will grab me more than the other. There are designs I really like that I just can't find in suitable colorways or don't look right on me, so I haven't bought them. I generally gravitate toward intricate designs, usually more whimsical than literal in their depictions of animals (I think most of my scarves have animals on them) in bright, saturated colors; I like designs that relate to things I've long been interested in (places/cultures/etc.), although I don't limit myself to those. They should also tie well; if there's not much going on in the corners of the design it probably won't be that interesting when it's worn.
Inevitably there is some trial and error, but I've had a pretty good success rate buying scarves I love.
And I have to say, there's nothing like a brand-new scarf from the store crisply folded in its orange box. I have my grails, but I really love the scarves I've bought in the store, so maybe if you're not just feeling your ebay scarves you should stick to the boutiques. And in the boutique, as elle tee said, you can try on a lot of scarves and get a sense of what works on you. Oh, and to echo another thing she said--I just washed a couple of my scarves for the first time (there are several good threads about washing scarves) and they're very clean and touchable, so if I did happen to receive a scarf that needed a good washing I would have the nerve to do it now.
I hope that helps!
Capulet, great advice! You brought up another good point- I find it's helpful to know your favorite ways of wearing scarves. Certain knots show the center of the scarf, and certain ones show the border more. Depending on how you like to wear scarves, you may find that scarves with solid borders look very blah on you because your favorite knot shows the borders! I have some scarves that are well suited to some knots, and others that work better with different knots. Another reason why it's a good idea to find a friendly SA and spend some time trying on scarves, so you can figure out your preferences in this area.
thankyou capulet & elle tee - i had never thought of the points raised regarding the knots & corners. i still will deliberate i'm sure about ebay or h boutique...but then theres the price difference - although i'd rather spend the money and be happy!!