Hi everyone! My best friend asked me to write about different ways to wear foulards—which it turns out, doesn’t have an equivalent translation in English.
Le foulard, in French, is the general term for small scarves: silk scarves, bandanas, sophie scarves, handkerchiefs.
A fashion subtlety lost on Google:
It comes in all colors, patterns, fabrics and is the most versatile fashion accessory.
So today, we’re answering my bestie’s question with ideas and inspo to rock le foulard.
A quick history (and Hermès) detour
1930s: the start of fashion scarves
Scarves have been around since forever, everywhere.
But it was in the 20th century that they became a fashion statement with early Hollywood stars like Greta Garbo and Marlene Dietrich as the first ✨foularfluencers✨
1950s-70s: the rise of le carré Hermès
In 1937, Hermès introduced their very first iconic silk scarves: le carré. A few decades later it rose to fame thanks to style icons like Jackie Kennedy, Audrey Hepburn, and Grace Kelly.
To this day, these scarves are hand-rolled, hand-stitched and meticulously designed - often taking artists up to two years (!) to complete.
Flash-forward to today, le foulard is still one of the most classic fashion accessories.
(I’ll admit, this detour was mostly an excuse to share old Hermès ads and photos of these elegant ladies)
How to wear le foulard
📜 First, a small foulard manifesto:
Pops of color go with everything. Small scarves have the superpower of pairing well with anything: your colorful sweaters, your patterned shirt, all your jackets, your jewelry...they will always find their place in an outfit.
Smaller = easier to style. For example, 45x45cm or even smaller like the Twilly format from Hermès. Possibilities are limited, and that’s a good thing: no need for a YouTube tutorial on how to tie it.
Alright, let’s go!
1. The front triangle
One of the easiest way to pull off a small scarf. I also like when the triangle is tucked into a collared shirt (like in the above collage).
2. Tied at the front
Feels like the feminine version of a tie, and is always elegant.
3. The choker
A chic alternative or companion to a necklace. The Hermès Twilly scarf is perfect for this look.
4. The hair bandana
The styling trick that turns a basic outfit around and saves your bad hair day.
5. The headband
A graceful look I have yet to master but always adore on others.
6. The hair tie
And finally, a feminine touch for your updo. 🎀
These are just the tip of the iceberg. My friend Louise wears hers as a headband, featured above, as a belt, and even as a top (benefit of larger foulards).
Hermès cards for more inspo
Hermès makes this cute set of cards for all the ways you can tie their scarves. I love their illustrations! You can easily find these on Pinterest for styling ideas.
10 secondhand finds for you 🔮
Hermès Gavroche, 129€ (almost half retail price!)
Pierre Cardin, 12€ (two! and both the perfect size of 46cmx46cm!)
Handknit, 18€ (I wear mine on repeat)
Handknit, 22€ (for this season’s pop of pink)
Thanks for reading!
How do you love to wear your small scarves?
And let’s help Google out: what’s your best translation of le foulard?
See you next week 🫶
— Laure
Scarves are always on my no buy list because I never end up wearing them. Now I want to try again. I've noticed a lot of teen girls in Paris wearing them as a bracelet recently as well, if someone wants a different styling idea.
this post is for me! I’ve always wanted to wear (non-winter) scarves and have a couple of really long silk ones but I’ve always been too afraid to really try ‘em!!! (did sometimes wear as a hair accessory when I was rocking a longer cut) the smaller ones seem way less pressure and way more cute! thank you for the nudge!
p.s. Annie..?