How to choose scarves as a gift
Start with how the recipient dresses and where they live rather than with a logo. A scarf is worn close to the face, so colour matters more than with most accessories.
- For someone who dresses classically, a neutral cashmere or a silk square in navy, camel or ivory will work with most of their wardrobe.
- For someone who enjoys colour and print, a patterned silk carré can become the piece an outfit is built around.
- For a man, a fine cashmere or wool scarf in charcoal, navy or a discreet check is the safest choice. A silk scarf pairs well with a matching pocket square or one of our silk ties.
Scarves also work across occasions: a birthday, a thank-you to a colleague, or a gesture for Women's Day on 9 August, when Highveld mornings are still cold. Browse our gifts for her for ideas to pair with one.
Silk, cashmere and wool: materials and sizes
Silk twill is the material of the classic printed square. It holds colour vividly, drapes cleanly and is light enough for summer evenings. Look for hand-rolled edges, a sign of careful finishing. Silk chiffon and mousseline are sheerer and suit evening wear.
Cashmere is soft, warm and remarkably light. It suits Johannesburg and Pretoria winters, where days are dry and cold, and the damp Cape winter. Wool and wool-silk blends are slightly more structured and durable, and modal-silk blends offer a soft drape at a gentler budget.
Common formats include:
- Large squares, often around 90 cm, folded into a triangle, knotted at the neck or worn over the shoulders.
- Small squares, roughly 45 to 70 cm, tied at the neck, on a bag handle or in the hair.
- Long, narrow bandeaus, worn as a neck tie, headband or wrapped around a handbag strap.
- Long cashmere and wool scarves and wider stoles for cold weather and travel.
Signature scarves from the leading houses
Each house brings its own visual language to the scarf, which helps you match a gift to someone's taste.
- Hermès in Paris is closely associated with the silk carré, printed with intricately illustrated designs.
- Burberry, the British house, is known for its check, most familiar on cashmere scarves. See our guide to Burberry scarves.
- Louis Vuitton uses its Monogram on silk squares, bandeaus and wool stoles; read more on Louis Vuitton scarves.
- Dior often works with its Oblique motif, explored in our Dior scarves guide.
- Gucci draws on the GG motif and the green-red-green Web stripe, Chanel on the interlocking CC and the camellia, and Fendi on its FF motif.
A logo-heavy design suits someone who enjoys being recognised; a quieter print or plain cashmere suits someone who prefers understatement.
Caring for a silk or cashmere scarf
Always follow the care label first, but these principles apply to most fine scarves.
- Silk: professional dry cleaning is the safest option. If hand washing is permitted, use cool water and a gentle detergent, never wring, and press on a low heat setting on the reverse.
- Cashmere and wool: hand wash in cool water with a wool detergent, press out water in a towel and dry flat. Remove any pilling gently with a cashmere comb.
- Storage: fold rather than hang, keep away from direct sunlight, and store knitwear with cedar to discourage moths. Let scarves rest between wears.
If you have a particular house, colour or occasion in mind, tell us what you are looking for and we will come back with options.