Well, I tallied my 2023 purchases yesterday, and will confess that it was a wallet slimming year
Following @Nomad’s fine example, I will say that I didn’t buy as many as last year, but it was still a
lot. After an exuberant January I took an extended visit to ban island for half the year, which makes my final total even more embarrassing. I’m not comfortable sharing my number publicly, but I am holding myself accountable by keeping a clear list of purchases; not just for H scarves (there were too many), but scarves from other designers (a few), bags, accessories etc.
To offset my frippery: a good number of these purchases were added to the scarf gift vault, which complicates my Oscarf counts a little. For the purpose of accountability: if I bought it this year, it counts as a purchase for the annual shame total, but for awards purposes, only scarves I have actually received will be eligible for nomination or awards.
So, without further ado:
The Oscarfs for
Most coveted by MrBelle, (and I do let him wear it) and for
Most likely to put a smile on my face go to:
Grrrrr / Yellowstone Forever men’s 100 silk.
I just adore this one for so many reasons. I missed the original issue, and was delighted to find this wonderful reissue for the Yellowstone Foundation on H.com earlier this year. Also, BEARS! Special nomination for Scarfie assist from
@LKBNOLA, who was kind enough to provide an appropriately sized orange ’den’ for it
🙏
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The Oscarf for
Designer of the year goes to:
Alice Shirley. A few Shirley’s entered my collection this year (overdue, I know!). A couple are represented here, and there is at least one more in the vault, purchased in 2023.
Best supporting nominations to
Daiske Nomura and
Jan Bajtlik for much loved designers that were represented my collection again in 2023. No Ugo Gattoni additions, which was a surprise given how much I love his designs and how much I loved Rendezvous Gallant. I SO wanted that design in regular twill, not vintage silk! (the creasing drives me crazy).
The Oscarfs for
Best small format as well as
First in format go to:
Chorus Stellarum Bandana.
I loved this design, but the CWs for the 70’s didn’t work so well on me, plus the creasing issue for the ‘vintage silk’ referenced above made me reluctantly pass. I was SO excited to see this in regular twill, plus a fabulous CW in the inky black with white design and matt gold overlay
. I was delighted to acquire this as my first bandana. Soon followed by a second, in All Aboard. It’s an easy and fun size. CS also gets a special mention because it was purchased when MrBelle lost a bet (and therefore also makes me smile when I wear it)!
.
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Oscarf for
Best supporting small format goes to
En Liberte twilly. I loved this design, but the scale and CW didn’t work for me in the 90, or the CSGM. Fortunately the twillies were just right (and I succumbed to a few!)
The Oscarf for
Cheeky elegance/Insouciance goes to:
Lazy Leopardesses.
I was a little late to the party with this one, but ended up with three colourways, plus a duplicate. Wow. I just love the leopard with its tongue poking out, and the almost metallic CW and rich depictions of fur give this design such depth and drama. This should probably also get a nomination for most multiples of the same design purchased this year.
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The Oscarf for
Best Reissue of a much loved design goes to:
Jungle Love love. A perfect valentines gift from MrBelle and one of the sweetest, most tender moments in a silk design. Honourable mention to Jungle Love forever, which might have taken a shared spot, except it’s in the vault awaiting a special occasion
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The Oscarf for
Most obsessive scarf hunt goes to:
La Vallee du Cristal. I stalked this one from the moment I saw it. I knew I had to have it. The purple was calling my name, but I was lucky enough to be blessed with a green beauty too, thanks to the insistence of MrBelle. Hence the first of my ‘special’ Oscarfs, below.
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Special Oscarf for enablement, support and enduring patience goes to MrBelle. He has not complained once at my scarf exuberance (and he knows my scarf number for the year!) and has encouraged many of my acquisitions this year, as well as giving valuable input to choices. He’s a champ, and deserving of recognition. Extending this thanks to all our dear ones who listen, encourage and support us in our obsession
Special Oscarf for innovation goes to
@bunnycat, inventor of the ‘Scarf Gift Vault’ and enabler of opportunity and impulse purchases through the magic of “it’s not another scarf purchase, it’s
for the gift vault…”.
Ahem. Thank you, I think?
The Oscarfs for
Grailiest Grail, and
Oscarf of the year, go to:
Into the Canadian Wild, Canada 150 Anniversary SE.
I could write an essay about how much I love this one, or what it means to me, but instead I will just post a picture of its fabulousness
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A final
Special Oscarf of awesomeness to all the residents of Scarflandia, who collectively make this such a wonderful place to be. 2023 has been a year, and I haven’t been able to post, or share, as much as I would have liked. I‘m sure I haven’t even shared all my new-ins this year (!). It’s been a most wonderful refuge and place to escape, as well as a bastion of support and friendship.
Thank you all!
ETA: bless the ‘edit‘ function!
Apologies for the late photo today, but days are short now here in the North.
