The ancient madder silk scarf. A thing of the past?

[Sartorial Caledonian]

Hello gentlemen.

I recently decided to treat myself to an ancient madder silk Paisley pattern scarf, but I didn’t realise just how out of favour they seem to be. An Internet search before popping into town showed that Drake’s seemed to be the only clothier that stocked them.

Upon arriving in London I made straight for Clifford Street and browsed their ancient madder silk, reversing to cashmere scarves and although they are beautiful, I wasn’t struck on this year’s colours.

I was sure that the usual suspects along Jermyn Street would keep some in stock, so I popped into Hawes and Curtis, Favourbrook, Harvie and Hudson, Hackett and Dunhill, all to no avail.

I did find one (the only one) in Budd that I quite liked and they raised my spirits when they said they were due to get more in time for Christmas. I kept that in the back of my mind as I went on to T&A who told me they had not stocked them for about nine years and said that were not likely to stock them again.

Onwards to Emma Willis and they told me they planned to get a small number in for Christmas but it would only likely to be 4 or 5 items.

My last hope before going back to Budd was Hilditch & Key. Here at last I came across three beautiful scarves and after some deliberation, my mission was finally accomplished.

I’m a firm believer in the mantra that style never goes out of fashion, so I was surprised that a stylish accessory such as the ancient madder silk scarf seems hard to come by these days. Do any of the Loungers still wear these things or are they consigned to the pages of history?

Yours aye,

SC.

[Rob O]

SC - congratulations on your persistence. Maybe a visit to Sam Hober would have saved you a lot of trouble?

http://www.samhober.com/macclesfield-pr ... k-scarves/

Nevertheless, a nice walking trip around Mayfair is always an agreeable activity.

[theoldesouth]

Delightful! I'll have to have a look, next time in London. Thanks, Rob.

And thanks, SC, for having brought up the subject.

[davidhuh]

Dear SC,

good topic, I just wanted to treat yours truly with a madder silk scarf. Other addresses to check would be New & Lingwood plus probably Anderson & Sheppard (both the tailoring business on Old Burlington St and the haberdashery around the corner).

Cheers, David