I thought it was time to revisit this subject matter, as I do get a lot of inquiries to assist in authenticating a scarf that someone inherited, received as a gift or recently purchased from a possibly too-good-to-be-true online source.
To visit my original blog post on the care tag, please follow the link.
Flattered by these inquiries, time permitting, I try to assist, but understandably, cannot spend a lot of time authenticating scarves. With that in mind, hopefully this article and photos will be helpful.
The question, “do all (authentic) Hermes scarves have a care tag?” comes up often. The simple answer is “NO”.
All modern scarves when purchased brand new come with a care tag. Sewn in one of the corners of the scarf with a couple of stitches using the same color silk thread as the forward facing hem. This way it can easily be removed without affecting the integrity of the hand stitched hem, the roule.
If you are like me the first thing when you purchase a new article of clothing is not just to remove the price tag but also the care tag or anything else that may scratch my persnickety neck. I do not need a care tag to remind myself, that I am wearing the “REAL THING”. So from a purely personal preference, I get rid of tags as quickly as I can.
Now my attitude towards the care tag as a professional seller and a collector, changes completely! A care tag or a “store” tag together with the copyright can be instrumental in the provenance of a carre. Is the scarf from the original issue or a later re-issue? A care tag can certainly help answer that question. Even where a scarf was originally purchased can be glanced from a care/store tag.
Not all scarves will have a care tag and understandably, many vintage carres have “lost” theirs along the way. Originally, Hermes did not use any and we begin to see the use of a small folded over care tag by early 1950s.
Does a care tag increase the value of a carre? I dare say, yes. As with the Quai aux Fleurs, the fact that that care tag has hung on for more than half a century is quite an accomplishment! Well done you!
Sometimes a scarf may have up to 3 “care” tags (2 care tags and a store tag, such as Neiman-Marcus for example).
An example of a more modern care tag on a Les Ballets Russes (1996) by Annie Faivre.
Today Hermes uses a smaller care tag, which can be both white or black depending on the colorway (or maybe the mood of the seamstress).
2001
Hopefully, this post has answered some of the questions surrounding the Hermes carre care tag.
Here photo of the most current care tag used by Hermes.
Should you require authentication or valuation services, please contact me for a quote at carredeparis@gmail.com.
Due to time constraints, I can no longer provide this service free of charge.
With or without a care tag, you can be assured you are purchasing an authentic scarf when you purchase from one of my stores.
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