Scarves Your Grail Scarf

[Joannadyne]

"Overpriced" will always be subjective, of course, but this post of marietouchet's helped me a lot:

Your Grail Scarf

In particular, her observation that "Rencontre Oceane went for obscene prices a few years ago when it got talked up, now, no one cares any more hardly."

My grail mantra now is: Patience, grasshopper. If Rencontre Ocean fever settled down, so will most others eventually.

Also, I look at hunting-for-grail-at-good-price as a pleasure--years long, if necessary. It's nice to have something specific to search for on the bay and other places, instead of just aimlessly browsing. Makes the process more relaxing and takes away some of the itchy-trigger-finger pressure to buy something you know isn't great for you but it at a good price. Hold out for the design and cw you want, at the price you want, and enjoy the hunt. It has become for me almost as much of the pleasure of the grail as the having of the grail itself.

That's a really thoughtful answer, belphoebe, and I appreciate the reference to Marietouchet's post. I've found that to be true as well.

However, while I mostly agree with your hold-true-to-your-heart philosophy, I admit I've taken the opposite approach in my quest for grails at good prices but not quite the best cw. More often than not, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that I'm able to wear colors that I initially didn't think would be ideal. Tohu bohu is one - I have a pale blue cw, and I really wasn't sure I could pull it off. But I found it for less that $100 (I still can't believe it!) and couldn't pass it up. To my delight, I really love it now and it's helped broaden the scope of possibilities of colors I can wear. [emoji5]

Also, sometimes that ideal cw just never comes along (or so it seems, anyway!). In those cases, I've found that getting another cw satiates my desire for the design and will hold me off until THE ONE finally comes along. That's why I have two Magic Kellys. [emoji23]

 

[Belphoebe]

I definitely agree with holding out for the colorway that you really want.

For me at least: I found that paying $50-100 extra to get what I wanted in good condition now saved me money in the long run. I stopped looking and being tempted by other things. I felt satiated and my buying really dropped off. I found all of the scanning to be quite dangerous to the wallet.

That's a really thoughtful answer, belphoebe, and I appreciate the reference to Marietouchet's post. I've found that to be true as well.

However, while I mostly agree with your hold-true-to-your-heart philosophy, I admit I've taken the opposite approach in my quest for grails at good prices but not quite the best cw. More often than not, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that I'm able to wear colors that I initially didn't think would be ideal. Tohu bohu is one - I have a pale blue cw, and I really wasn't sure I could pull it off. But I found it for less that $100 (I still can't believe it!) and couldn't pass it up. To my delight, I really love it now and it's helped broaden the scope of possibilities of colors I can wear. [emoji5]

Also, sometimes that ideal cw just never comes along (or so it seems, anyway!). In those cases, I've found that getting another cw satiates my desire for the design and will hold me off until THE ONE finally comes along. That's why I have two Magic Kellys. [emoji23]

The common thread perhaps is, Know thyself -- thy habits, weaknesses, and budget.

Applicable not only regarding Hermes grails but in life in general.

 

[ksuromax]

"Overpriced" will always be subjective, of course, but this post of marietouchet's helped me a lot:

Your Grail Scarf

In particular, her observation that "Rencontre Oceane went for obscene prices a few years ago when it got talked up, now, no one cares any more hardly."

My grail mantra now is: Patience, grasshopper. If Rencontre Oceane fever settled down, so will most others eventually.

Also, I look at hunting-for-grail-at-good-price as a pleasure--years long, if necessary. It's nice to have something specific to search for on the bay and other places, instead of just aimlessly browsing. Makes the process more relaxing and takes away some of the itchy-trigger-finger pressure to buy something you know isn't great for you but is at a good price.

Someone else -- frou frou, maybe? I can't find the post now -- recommended holding out for the exact cw and size you want. If you settle on another, you'll very often find yourself still hunting for the first one anyway. Not true for everyone and every scarf, of course, but in general, a wallet- and closet-space-friendly policy.

Hold out for the design and cw you want, at the price you want, and enjoy the hunt. It has become for me almost as much of the pleasure of the grail as the having of the grail itself.

I definitely agree with holding out for the colorway that you really want.

For me at least: I found that paying $50-100 extra to get what I wanted in good condition now saved me money in the long run. I stopped looking and being tempted by other things. I felt satiated and my buying really dropped off. I found all of the scanning to be quite dangerous to the wallet.

thank you dearly
will share my small trick - Noel in dark blue is listed imo way higher than it's worth, plus it is not 'flawless', but getting it in pale blue cw in "brand new in box" helped me to hold back and wait patiently for the perfect one.
idea of having it really keeps the itch down. And i set my benchmark - i got a new one at 425$ delivered, next one shall be at the same, or lower tag

 

[ksuromax]

That's a really thoughtful answer, belphoebe, and I appreciate the reference to Marietouchet's post. I've found that to be true as well.

However, while I mostly agree with your hold-true-to-your-heart philosophy, I admit I've taken the opposite approach in my quest for grails at good prices but not quite the best cw. More often than not, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that I'm able to wear colors that I initially didn't think would be ideal. Tohu bohu is one - I have a pale blue cw, and I really wasn't sure I could pull it off. But I found it for less that $100 (I still can't believe it!) and couldn't pass it up. To my delight, I really love it now and it's helped broaden the scope of possibilities of colors I can wear. [emoji5]

Also, sometimes that ideal cw just never comes along (or so it seems, anyway!). In those cases, I've found that getting another cw satiates my desire for the design and will hold me off until THE ONE finally comes along. That's why I have two Magic Kellys. [emoji23]

+1

 

[momasaurus]

That's a really thoughtful answer, belphoebe, and I appreciate the reference to Marietouchet's post. I've found that to be true as well.

However, while I mostly agree with your hold-true-to-your-heart philosophy, I admit I've taken the opposite approach in my quest for grails at good prices but not quite the best cw. More often than not, I've been pleasantly surprised to discover that I'm able to wear colors that I initially didn't think would be ideal. Tohu bohu is one - I have a pale blue cw, and I really wasn't sure I could pull it off. But I found it for less that $100 (I still can't believe it!) and couldn't pass it up. To my delight, I really love it now and it's helped broaden the scope of possibilities of colors I can wear. [emoji5]

Also, sometimes that ideal cw just never comes along (or so it seems, anyway!). In those cases, I've found that getting another cw satiates my desire for the design and will hold me off until THE ONE finally comes along. That's why I have two Magic Kellys. [emoji23]

Yes. I had two c'est la fetes before I got the one I really wanted. I enjoyed them and it all worked out OK.

 

[Joannadyne]

Oh, one more topic for grail discussion: I have learned to trust the tpf-scarf-collective-hive-mind when it comes to grails. I thought ELeK was too busy. I bought one and it's not, it's achingly perfect! I thought Tohu Bohu was a little plain design wise. Nope, it's gorgeous! I thought Mythique Phoenix was too much flora for me but again, a big fat no! It's stunning! So I have learned that you ladies have great taste and to sometimes just trust that a grail is grail for good reason.

So that's why C'est la Fete is on my list though I initially thought the skeleton figure was too goth for me. I'm also now considering adding La Femme to my list, too, after ogling many photos here.

Anyone else experience this?

 

[momasaurus]

"Overpriced" will always be subjective, of course, but this post of marietouchet's helped me a lot:

Your Grail Scarf

In particular, her observation that "Rencontre Oceane went for obscene prices a few years ago when it got talked up, now, no one cares any more hardly."

My grail mantra now is: Patience, grasshopper. If Rencontre Oceane fever settled down, so will most others eventually.

Also, I look at hunting-for-grail-at-good-price as a pleasure--years long, if necessary. It's nice to have something specific to search for on the bay and other places, instead of just aimlessly browsing. Makes the process more relaxing and takes away some of the itchy-trigger-finger pressure to buy something you know isn't great for you but is at a good price.

Someone else -- frou frou, maybe? I can't find the post now -- recommended holding out for the exact cw and size you want. If you settle on another, you'll very often find yourself still hunting for the first one anyway. Not true for everyone and every scarf, of course, but in general, a wallet- and closet-space-friendly policy.

Hold out for the design and cw you want, at the price you want, and enjoy the hunt. It has become for me almost as much of the pleasure of the grail as the having of the grail itself.

You are so right! Grails come and go and prices go up and down. I have not paid more than $500 for a 90 silk, and even if a bag of money falls in my yard, I won't in the future either. Other people have other needs and budgets and tolerance. Patience is the best mantra!!! However, I have a bad habit of "aimless browsing" but am not quite ready to give that up (so I guess it might be an addiction....), at least for scarves. I have stopped "aimless browsing" for bags, however! So I guess it can be done, LOL.

 

[EmileH]

Oh, one more topic for grail discussion: I have learned to trust the tpf-scarf-collective-hive-mind when it comes to grails. I thought ELeK was too busy. I bought one and it's not, it's achingly perfect! I thought Tohu Bohu was a little plain design wise. Nope, it's gorgeous! I thought Mythique Phoenix was too much flora for me but again, a big fat no! It's stunning! So I have learned that you ladies have great taste and to sometimes just trust that a grail is grail for good reason.

So that's why C'est la Fete is on my list though I initially thought the skeleton figure was too goth for me. I'm also now considering adding La Femme to my list, too, after ogling many photos here.

Anyone else experience this?

Absolutely. I didn't understand some of the grails at first. But they are grails for a reason. They tie beautifully. It's definitely a learning process.

 

[werner]

I'm down to one grail from two....and have decided on a $ limit. It's a CSGM and initially thought "the sky's the limit". Over time, that's changed...sanity won out, thankfully. Now, the hunt has become a pleasure, rather than an obsession.

 

[ksuromax]

Oh, one more topic for grail discussion: I have learned to trust the tpf-scarf-collective-hive-mind when it comes to grails. I thought ELeK was too busy. I bought one and it's not, it's achingly perfect! I thought Tohu Bohu was a little plain design wise. Nope, it's gorgeous! I thought Mythique Phoenix was too much flora for me but again, a big fat no! It's stunning! So I have learned that you ladies have great taste and to sometimes just trust that a grail is grail for good reason.

So that's why C'est la Fete is on my list though I initially thought the skeleton figure was too goth for me. I'm also now considering adding La Femme to my list, too, after ogling many photos here.

Anyone else experience this?

Speaking about collective hive mind, i do exactly the opposite, i SET my own Grail and then go to the tPF and do searching to find the way it looks tied, etc.
i go by the artist. So far my most fave ones are Ledoux, both Rybaltchenko, father and son, and in general my most preferred designs are horses, ships, and something statemental, such as King Tut
i open the online pics gallery by Artist, study all their designs and find the ones which become my Grail - La Flore, Noel, King Tut, some others...
other designs i pick only by colour, if it's MY colour, off it goes straight to the cart, if not, no matter how rare and 'saught after' the design is, i will pass...
i agree on general approach, e.g. Tohu Bohu, looks very simple, but completely changes when tied! but again, here i will only go by MY colours.

You are so right! Grails come and go and prices go up and down. I have not paid more than $500 for a 90 silk, and even if a bag of money falls in my yard, I won't in the future either. Other people have other needs and budgets and tolerance. Patience is the best mantra!!! However, I have a bad habit of "aimless browsing" but am not quite ready to give that up (so I guess it might be an addiction....), at least for scarves. I have stopped "aimless browsing" for bags, however! So I guess it can be done, LOL.

sharing this experience helps greatly, i will speak for myself - when you see something you really want at a price of 2, or even 3 other designs, it's really difficult to make a right choice, besides, when there's someone paying certain amount for one scarf, this definitely encourages the Sellers to keep the prices up and rising, knowing that there will be always someone ready to pay
Patience is the key.
i have my Grail on 'watch list', if the price does not drop below 500, i might take it as BD gift, or something big for an occasion, ykwim, but this will be a WEIGHED and well thought decision.

 

[momasaurus]

I'm down to one grail from two....and have decided on a $ limit. It's a CSGM and initially thought "the sky's the limit". Over time, that's changed...sanity won out, thankfully. Now, the hunt has become a pleasure, rather than an obsession.

Good to hear! And best of luck in the pleasurable hunt.

 

[momasaurus]

Speaking about collective hive mind, i do exactly the opposite, i SET my own Grail and then go to the tPF and do searching to find the way it looks tied, etc.
i go by the artist. So far my most fave ones are Ledoux, both Rybaltchenko, father and son, and in general my most preferred designs are horses, ships, and something statemental, such as King Tut
i open the online pics gallery by Artist, study all their designs and find the ones which become my Grail - La Flore, Noel, King Tut, some others...
other designs i pick only by colour, if it's MY colour, off it goes straight to the cart, if not, no matter how rare and 'saught after' the design is, i will pass...
i agree on general approach, e.g. Tohu Bohu, looks very simple, but completely changes when tied! but again, here i will only go by MY colours.


sharing this experience helps greatly, i will speak for myself - when you see something you really want at a price of 2, or even 3 other designs, it's really difficult to make a right choice, besides, when there's someone paying certain amount for one scarf, this definitely encourages the Sellers to keep the prices up and rising, knowing that there will be always someone ready to pay
Patience is the key.
i have my Grail on 'watch list', if the price does not drop below 500, i might take it as BD gift, or something big for an occasion, ykwim, but this will be a WEIGHED and well thought decision.

I think we have similar taste for the older designs. When I first started collecting it was ALL Ledoux, etc. with horses and flowers and boats and historical themes. It was easy to get the designs and CWs I wanted. Back then I thought the new stuff in the boutiques looked like crazy and random color bursts! (I still think that, to a certain extent, lol)
Good luck on your hunt also!

 

[ksuromax]

I think we have similar taste for the older designs. When I first started collecting it was ALL Ledoux, etc. with horses and flowers and boats and historical themes. It was easy to get the designs and CWs I wanted. Back then I thought the new stuff in the boutiques looked like crazy and random color bursts! (I still think that, to a certain extent, lol)
Good luck on your hunt also!

 

[marietouchet]

Speaking about collective hive mind, i do exactly the opposite, i SET my own Grail and then go to the tPF and do searching to find the way it looks tied, etc.
i go by the artist. So far my most fave ones are Ledoux, both Rybaltchenko, father and son, and in general my most preferred designs are horses, ships, and something statemental, such as King Tut
i open the online pics gallery by Artist, study all their designs and find the ones which become my Grail - La Flore, Noel, King Tut, some others...
other designs i pick only by colour, if it's MY colour, off it goes straight to the cart, if not, no matter how rare and 'saught after' the design is, i will pass...
i agree on general approach, e.g. Tohu Bohu, looks very simple, but completely changes when tied! but again, here i will only go by MY colours.


sharing this experience helps greatly, i will speak for myself - when you see something you really want at a price of 2, or even 3 other designs, it's really difficult to make a right choice, besides, when there's someone paying certain amount for one scarf, this definitely encourages the Sellers to keep the prices up and rising, knowing that there will be always someone ready to pay
Patience is the key.
i have my Grail on 'watch list', if the price does not drop below 500, i might take it as BD gift, or something big for an occasion, ykwim, but this will be a WEIGHED and well thought decision.

Brava ! Brava ! Patience and research ! Ahead of time ... Before «I have waited 2,341,567 years, just saw it, and have to have it» impulse buying sets in
I see it all the time in the authentication thread ex the scarf is authentic but a gavroche at 90cm prices, a dilemma - not my place to comment on price
Or an authentic oldie with the idiosyncracies of the 1950s scarves - what no signature ? Well, what I wanted was really the reissue ...
Or a recent scarf 90cm badly hemmed but at 2X retail , yes, today, Hermes does manufacture scarves with bad hems, wrinkles etc
There are just a lot of authentic scarves that will not make people happy - so patience ! research ! yes yes yes - Way to go !

 

[werner]

Good to hear! And best of luck in the pleasurable hunt.

Thank you