The epitome of luxury, silken clothing and accessories have been coveted for centuries.
From the creation of a network of dedicated trade routes between Europe and Asia which carried the lucrative textile fabricated in China between 114 BCE – 1450s CE, to sumptuary laws forbidding the general population from clothing themselves in such fine garments – silk continues to be hankered after in the modern age.
The natural fibre is produced by silkworms which dwell solely on mulberry trees and is spun from the cocoons they form before the larvae become silk moths. As you can likely imagine, producing copious amounts of the fine cloth takes an abundance of time, skill and precious silkworms – and the process is only becoming more expensive as the desire for true silken garments becomes more widespread.
True silken garments take on an almost liquid form and pass along the skin like the brush of a feather. The light-as-air fibre is most commonly woven into square scarves featuring detailed designs which can be considered a work of art in themselves – so much so that some people use these accessories are pure decoration, mounting them in frames instead of wearing them around their necks.
It goes without saying that these silken scarves aren’t exactly a winter warmer, nor were they designed to be. While silk had been used to denote nobility for centuries, it wasn’t until Queen Victoria ascended to the throne in 1837 that silk scarves in particular became a popular accessory for members of the upper echelons of society.
The suppliers? You guessed it, luxury fashion house Hermès. Though founded in the same year that Queen Victoria was crowned, it wouldn’t be for another 100 years that the fashion house would begin production of their iconic silk scarves to finally meet the popularity of the highly desired accessory.
Robert Dumas, son-in-law to Emile Hermès, was the very first person to design a piece of art to adorn a Hermès silk scarf. To this day, 84 years later, the scarves are produced in the very same meticulous manner. One scarf takes a shocking 18 months to complete, is made from the silk of 250 mulberry moth cocoons, and it takes roughly 750 hours to engrave the screens which print each design.
Now that you have the details regarding the silk scarves which served as the blueprint for the modern accessory – a favourite of the beloved Queen Elizabeth I – keep scrolling for a curated edit of the best silk scarves on the market right now.
Shop now
Is This a Love Story? scarf 70
Starting off with an option from the luxury fashion house credited with bringing bright and beautiful silk scarf designs to the forefront, this attractive contemporary design is available in an array of colourways. This 100 per cent silk scarf is hand-rolled and measures approximately 70x70cm, though dimensions may vary slightly due to the hand-crafted nature of each piece.
Buy now £305.00, Hermès
Liberty Aquarius 45 x 45cm Silk Twill Scarf
You needn’t be born under the sign of Aquarius to enjoy the enchanting design printed on this 100 per cent silk twill scarf by Liberty.
Buy now £66.50, Liberty
COS Floral Print Pure Silk Scarf
Part of the exclusive capsule collection resulting from the collaboration between Stephen Doherty and Cos, this beautiful, printed scarf has been crafted from pure Mulberry silk and features the artist’s signature at the bottom right corner.
Buy now £75.00, COS
Abstract Floral Silk Scarf
We adore an orange and blue colour combination, and this modern abstract design by Aspinal of London is sure to elevate any outfit – casual or formal.
Buy now £150.00, Aspinal of London
Silk Skinny Scarf Strathberry
Flirty and delightfully feminine, this colourful silk skinny scarf from Strathberry would look beautiful braided in between strands of hair, worn as a makeshift belt or simply tied loosely around the neck.
Buy now £75.00, Strathberry
Lescarf Border Print Scarf | Sand
Sleek, chic and wonderfully discreet, this simple bordered design by Lescarf serves as the perfect daily accessory.
Buy now £62.00, Lescarf
"Tulip" Silk Skinny Scarf - Orange
Designed to incorporate an almost childlike, nostalgic quality, this silk scarf by Lost Pattern NYC is sure to bring the feeling of warm summer sun and park picnics to your ensemble – no matter the season.
Buy now £46.00, Wolf & Badger
Totême Striped square-shape silk scarf
Simultaneously hypnotic yet wonderfully minimalistic, the vanilla/mocha colourway of this stunning silk scarf by Totême serves as the ultimate retro-inspired outfit accompaniment.
Buy now £160.00, Selfridges
EKD Silk Scarf
Timelessly stylish, this royal blue silk scarf featuring classic Burberry livery would serve as the ultimate Christmas gift this year.
Buy now £350.00, Burberry
Rose Print Silk Skinny Scarf
The newest collection of Burberry silk accessories designed by Daniel Lee for the 2023 winter collection is so supreme, we couldn’t help but include two options. Crafted from silk twill, one side of this skinny scarf features a delicate rose design while the other boasts printed Burberry lettering.
Buy now £170.00, Burberry
Fabio Almeida Silk Scarf
Designed by Brazilian artist Fabio Almeida, this gorgeous 100 per cent silk scarf reflects the artist's influence from the modernist movement in South America in its joyous, colourful composition.
Buy now £120.00, TOAST
