Foulard de la semaine
This sheer silk square works well for all but the warmest weather. I love the mix of the autumnal hues of the scarf (olive, cream, rust, mustard) with the soft turquoise sweater.
This Liberty of London scarf was inherited from ma grand-mere, and is at least fifty forty years old. Over the weekend, I crossed my fingers and toes, and gently washed it in cold water with Palmolive to remove some grease stains on the border. It came through like a champ, sans stains!
Though some scarf aficionados recommend dry cleaning, many silk scarves can be hand washed, but it’s advisable to use a color catcher in case any of the colors bleed. Either way, it’s best to clean or wash only when absolutely necessary; usually just a bit of freshening is all that’s needed. Drape the scarf over the rung of a hanger, and hang in an open area with good circulation for a few hours (but never in direct sunlight).
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Charming heirloom scarf, so floaty and flattering. It’s remarkable it survived in such condition over the years.
Nice Chan Luu wraps, and a very cool turquoise bracelet!
Oh, so pretty, and how lucky you are to wear something that your grandma wore and have it still be so stylish!
Very pretty, and is that a green turquoise bracelet?
Duchesse – thank you. Though it has held up well, I realized my initial calculation was off; it’s probably closer to forty years old than fifty, based on when my grandmother was travelling.
Sal – thanks! this one was always sheer, but yes, they do age nicely.
dana – Thank you!
materfamilias – I think my grandmother’s style was mostly quite classic and timeless, though a few of her scarves and some jewelry are mostly what I wear. I have boxes of beautiful white cotton gloves in storage that I don’t anticipate will be coming back into style anytime soon…
Rita – thank you! The bracelet (not the small pearl wrap, but the other one) is actually green Swartovski (sp?) crystal beads with a rough cut tuquoise stone. It’s a very unusual piece I picked up a few years ago and wear often.
LOVE these colors together. And the history of the scarf is just the cherry on top.
That scarf is lovely– and I love BOTH of the bracelets. Altogether a very good combination of both colours and textures!
Gorgeous. I love the way vintage scarves get a bit sheer naturally.
I love a scarf with some history! I have a silk scarf that belonged to my great aunt – and must be at least 40 years old!
The scarf is lovely…can you give me some scoop on the bracelets? I really like them!
Great colors! And I love scarves! I wish I could wear them more here in Florida 🙁
hollarback – thanks!
Katriona – thank you. I love mixing textures as well as colors.
Meg – thanks. I think I would have a very tough time in a climate as warm as Florida.
Imogen – I hope you’ll show us that scarf soon!
Daffodil Planter – I’d never heard of them either until recently, but my scarf-loving friends swear by them. And thank you!
WendyB – it’s the best kind of vintage, for sure!
L – Thanks! The wrap bracelet with the small pearls is one of the Chan Luu bracelets I posted about on June 22. The other bracelet is one I’ve had for a while and don’t know the designer or brand. It’s a stretchy bracelet with green Swarovski crystal beads and a rough cut chunk of turquoise. It’s one of my very favorites!
Color catcher, eh? And I thought I knew all about hand washing.
The scarf is lovely on so many levels.
Wow! homegrown vintage.
Perfect weight scarf for the weather we are having. And, gorgeous colours!
I lovelovelove that color combination.
Wow Sue, how awesome that this vintage scarf came from your grandmother!
I love sheer silk scarves in summer. I find them to be very soft and sexy.
For your next Foulard de la semaine might I recommend the idea that appeared over at Manolo for the Big Chic at http://manolobig.com/2009/08/04/the-daily-kick-bitten-not-shy/
I thought of you.
Icy – ooh, intruiging idea! I’ll have to look into that option.