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Comparison Silk scarves and shawls

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf vs Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: which one should you buy?

Quick answer

Buy the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf if you want the definitive silk scarf. Buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf instead if you want great cashmere for less.

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Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf
Buy

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf

Best for The silk scarf

Typically $595–$695

Check Price on Amazon Paid link
Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf
Buy

Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf

Best for Value cashmere

Typically $200–$300

Check Price on Amazon Paid link

Quick comparison

FeatureHermès Carré 90 Silk ScarfJohnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf
VerdictBuyBuy
Typical price$595–$695$200–$300
Best forThe silk scarfValue cashmere
Key featureHand-rolled silk twill square, printed in LyonScottish cashmere scarf
MaterialSilk twillCashmere
Size90 x 90 cm25 x 180 cm
FinishHand-rolled hemFringed
Made inFranceScotland
Where to buyCheck Price Paid linkCheck Price Paid link

Main differences

Material

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: Silk twill; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: Cashmere.

Size

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: 90 x 90 cm; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: 25 x 180 cm.

Finish

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: Hand-rolled hem; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: Fringed.

Made in

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: France; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: Scotland.

Why buy it

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: hand-rolled silk twill square, printed in Lyon; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: Scottish cashmere scarf.

Made for

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: the silk scarf; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: value cashmere.

Usual price

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf: $595–$695; Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: $200–$300.

Which should you choose?

Choose the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf if you

  • you want the definitive silk scarf
  • value iconic
Check Price Paid link

Choose the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf if you

  • you want great cashmere for less
  • value superb value
Check Price Paid link

If neither feels right

Neither is the only answer. See every piece we would buy (and the ones we would skip) in our list of the best silk scarves and shawls.

Not sure about either? Consider these

Loro Piana Cashmere Stole

Loro Piana · Silk scarves and shawls

Loro Piana Cashmere Stole

Buy it if you want luxurious warmth.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Cashmere wrap
Typical price
$1,500–$2,200

Pros

  • Exceptional

Cons

  • Pricey
Hermès Carré 90 Brides de Gala

Hermès · Silk scarves and shawls

Hermès Carré 90 Brides de Gala

Buy it if you want the classic.

Verdict
Buy
Best for
Classic print
Typical price
$595–$695

Pros

  • Iconic

Cons

  • Pricey

Frequently asked questions

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: which should I buy?

Buy the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf if you want the definitive silk scarf. Buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf instead if you want great cashmere for less.

Is the price difference worth it?

The Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf usually costs $595–$695 and the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf $200–$300. Pay more only if the differences above matter to you.

Opulique Editorial Team

Part of the Opulique research team. We compare specifications, documentation and real-world trade-offs so you can decide faster.

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf: the full reasoning

Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf or Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf? Both are strong silk scarves and shawls, which is exactly why the choice is hard. The short version first: buy the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf if you want the definitive silk scarf, and buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf if you want great cashmere for less. The rest of this page explains why, with usual US prices.

Where they differ

The Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf wins on hand-rolled silk twill square, printed in Lyon. The Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf answers with Scottish cashmere scarf. Material: Silk twill on the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf, Cashmere on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf. Size: 90 x 90 cm on the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf, 25 x 180 cm on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf. Finish: Hand-rolled hem on the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf, Fringed on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf. Made in: France on the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf, Scotland on the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf.

Reasons to buy the Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf

Iconic, Hand-rolled, Holds value. What to accept: pricey. Usual price: $595–$695. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Hermès Carré 90 Silk Scarf review.

Reasons to buy the Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf

Superb value. What to accept: plain. Usual price: $200–$300. Our verdict: buy. Read the full Johnstons of Elgin Cashmere Scarf review.

Neither one?

Our list of the best silk scarves and shawls has every other piece with its own call. Silk weight: heavier twill (around 14 momme and up) drapes better and lasts longer than thin chiffon.

Also consider the Loro Piana Cashmere Stole ($1,500–$2,200): large cashmere stole. Buy it if you want luxurious warmth.

Also consider the Hermès Carré 90 Brides de Gala ($595–$695): brides de Gala print. Buy it if you want the classic.

Buyer tip

An Hermès carré rarely discounts and holds resale value; other houses discount seasonal prints in end-of-season sales.

Buying in Europe: Italian (IT 38, 40, 42) and French (FR 36, 38, 40) clothing sizes are not the same; IT 40 is about a US 4 and an FR 36. Check each house’s chart, and keep returns in mind when you order from another country.

Luxury prices move in a different rhythm from everyday shopping. The great houses (Chanel, Hermès, Louis Vuitton, Dior, Rolex) raise prices once or twice a year, often in January and in spring, and almost never discount their icons. Seasonal pieces, colors and many shoes, coats and knitwear drop 30–50% in the end-of-season sales in January and from late June. Watches from brands such as Omega, TAG Heuer, Longines and Breitling, and most fragrance, see the best prices around Prime Day and Black Friday. Judge any deal against the usual price we show.