Chic vs Cheap

I was just a little amused to find this striped pink scarf in a charity shop a while ago. It has ‘Paris’ literally stamped all over it – in lots of different fonts!

Metaphorically, however, it is not so chic, for it is printed polyester rather than woven silk. The artificial fibre also made it very difficult to tie into a ‘French twist’ (as this particular knot is called), as the disobedient fabric was so slippery and yet unpliable. Silk, the thinnest of natural fibres, is far more flexible and drapes beautifully. And in silk, the print would seem chic and quirky rather than cheap and nasty.

Alas, this scarf is just Not Quite Right. I’m sure Ines would veto it.