My First Hermes Scarf - Les Clés / The Keys 90 cm Twill by Caty Latham

While unpacking another one of the endless boxes the other day,

 I came across my first very own Hermes Scarf.

It is an afternoon I will always fondly remember, 
I had just turned 21 and my mother and I were in Paris. 

 We went into the flagship Hermes store and she surprised me by telling me that I could have my very own bag.

As was the custom "back in those days" and still for some, 

a scarf would be tied to the handbag.

An example of he classic BCBG fashion of tying scarves to bags
(Not my bag) 
Via

My mother being in a generous mood told me to go and choose one.

I think if she weren't so busy browsing herself that she would have "suggested" something for me.

Via

As some may have experienced, 

choosing a scarf poses many questions.

Do I go for a lovely color?

Or do I go for an interesting design?

There was extra pressure on me as I knew this was a very special occasion and I wouldn't get many chances like this again so the heat was on.

Storage box for a plisse scarf

After much deliberation, I chose a classic and very popular design called Les Cles or translated and as the picture shows the keys.

It was designed by Caty Latham in 1965 and has been one of the top ten best selling scarf designs of all time.

So much so that most people who do own a Hermes scarf seem to own this one!

I remember deciding on a classic color of black, cream, and gold that I could easily match with outfits and one that went very well with my handbag.

About a decade ago, my mother and I were on a trip where I packed this scarf to wear.  During dinner a little sauce ricocheted onto my scarf. 

As we were traveling there wasn't enough time to drop the scarf off at a dry cleaners so she suggested that we soak the scarf overnight to make sure the stain was properly treated.  Now my mother isn't exactly Martha Stewart and her daughter( that would be me) didn't know any better either.  I just did as I was told. 

Well, good news was that the stain came out but so did a lot of the colors...
You may be able to see some of the color runs on the scarf
 on the pictures above.

90 cm silk scarf turned into a plisse laid flat

I wasn't able to wear the scarf as it just looked dirty and I only kept the scarf for sentimental reasons.

I couldn't sell it as it was damaged so it lay in my closet for many years.

But several years ago, I learned that Hermes offered a service that crimps or turns their scarves into the style they refer to as plisse.

Hermes no longer offers the plisse scarf readily but one must request a scarf to be sent away to Paris where it takes about 3 to 4 weeks.  If you have an Hermes scarf that you no longer wear due to damage or any other reason, it may be an idea to have it plissed.  If you have some plisse scarves already, then please do remember that the scarf must be stored rolled up in the box to sustain the shape.

I don't have to tell most of you that one shouldn't soak a silk scarf overnight!
But please remember that silk scarves really should not be worn in heavy rain and in the case of plisse scarves, please note that any drop of water will iron out and loosen the crimps! 

Rolled hem of a Hermes scarf.

If you do get the scarves dry-cleaned, please make sure to tell them not to iron the rolled up hems so as not to flatten them.  In the event that you would like to sell your scarves, the price will be much lower for a flattened hem as opposed to a nice rounded edge.
Also please try and keep the boxes that come with the scarf as the paper is acid free to ensure proper storage.