Wearable Art, Six Ways
Every scarf is printed and sewn by hand in Montreal, Canada, on demand. The artwork is the same across all six fabrics. What changes is the weight, the sheen, and how much of the design shows through on the back.
Natural fibers (printed with reactive inks, which soak the color into the fiber)
Silk Habotai. 100% silk and the lightest of the group. Feather weight, seriously drapey, with a moderate sheen on both sides and a high degree of print-through, so the design reads on the back too. Prints have a slightly soft-focus quality that comes with printing on very fine fabric. This is the one that floats.
Silk Charmeuse. 100% silk, a little heavier than habotai but still beautifully drapey, with an almost liquid feel against the skin, a glossy face and a matte underside. The shine pushes the neon colors hardest. This is the dressy one.
Cotton Silk. A cotton and silk blend. Breathable, more body than pure silk, softer matte finish, and far more forgiving in the laundry. My pick for hot weather and daily wear.
Polyesters (sublimation printed, which gives the most saturated color and the crispest lines)
Poly Chiffon. The heaviest of the polyesters, though still very light and semi-sheer, with a smooth surface, low sheen, and strong print-through. Airy without feeling delicate.
Satin Charmeuse. Lighter than the chiffon with less print-through, a shiny face and a matte back. The budget-friendly way to get silk-like shine.
Matte Crepe. The lightest polyester of the three. Soft, very drapey, low lustre instead of high shine, and the prints come out sharp. Silk drape, washing machine attitude.
Sizes: 16" x 16" (classic bandana) and 26" x 26" (square).
Still deciding?
- Most luxurious: Silk Charmeuse
- Lightest and airiest: Silk Habotai
- Boldest color: Matte Crepe or Satin Charmeuse
- Easiest care: any polyester
- Coolest in the heat: Cotton Silk
Mannequin is wearing the 26 inch.
