Burberry Check Cashmere Scarf 101: All you need to know

Having lived in a tropical country for a huge part of my life; winter was a welcome change. I was excited to finally be able to dress for different seasons. I was thrilled at the thought of knitted sweaters, knee high boots, snug scarves and cute beanies.

I personally love layering my outfits but dressing up for transitional weather can be a little tricky. However, I find that a good scarf elevates an ensemble in an instant which led me to my decision to purchase the Burberry Check Cashmere Scarf. I purchased mine from the Burberry Flagship Store in London during last Christmas.

If you are thinking of adding a Burberry scarf to your wardrobe but you have concerns or questions, then this post is for you. In this post, I will talk about the most important things to consider before you finally land on a decision whether or not to pull the trigger.

The Narrative

Burberry is a traditional English fashion house with over a century of history. This luxury fashion house was established in 1865 by Thomas Burberry when he was just 21 years old.

The brand had a breakthrough success in 1880 when Thomas Burberry created Gabardine - a lightweight yet durable weatherproof fabric that was used to make trench coats.

Burberry's signature trench coat was first crafted in 1920 and later grew into a symbol of class when it became an optional dress item for British Army officers, available by private purchase to symbolize their rank. Today, the trench coat has evolved from an army uniform into an iconic fashion apparel.

Burberry is synonymous with its legendary checkered print and this piece de resistance has withstood the test of time. However, you will be surprised to hear that this masterpiece was brought to life by a "happy accident" that rapidly became a fashion phenomenon.

Back in 1967, the manager of Burberry's Paris Store turned up the coats' hem at the display section to showcase the signature house check aka the inner lining in an attempt to add color to the otherwise dull-looking khaki coats. This pattern became an instant hit as it created a ripple within the fashion community which led Burberry to up its ante by featuring the famous check print on cashmere scarves. The rest is fashion history!

Burberry Cashmere Scarf - Where and How it is made?

Let me provide you with a little bit of context about how Burberry cashmere scarves are made.

As you know, cashmere is the epitome of luxury and style. Burberry has been weaving scarves for over a century and is the OG cashmere scarf producer.

Burberry's cashmere scarves are woven in a 200-year-old mill in the Scottish countryside. The weaving process is an intricate one which involves multiple manufacturing steps including a washing process where the cashmere is washed in local spring water to remove access oil from the weaving process. The cashmere is then meticulously hand brushed to its smooth and lustrous finish - the hand brushing produces slight gradients between the colors, making it simpler to identify counterfeit scarves as these gradients hardly exist in the latter.

The intricate craftmanship involved in the weaving process guarantees the high quality and durability of Burberry's cashmere scarves. Thereby rendering it an investment piece that will never go out of style.

Burberry Cashmere Scarf - Product Details

Burberry offers a range of scarves in various fabrics and styles. Click here to view the assortment of scarves.

I purchased the signature Cashmere Check Scarf which retails for 390 pounds. I purchased it from the Flagship Store which is located at Regent Street, London. The prices of Burberry products are comparatively cheaper in the UK because it is a British Brand. So it is best to purchase items direct from Burberry stores within the UK compared to other countries where import and sales tax are factored in. Stock is also more regular in the UK since it is their base. Thereby increasing the chance of you getting your desired scarf.

The quintessential color scheme from the 1920s is a classic but Burberry has expanded the range to include new colourways. Today, the scarves are available in 21 different colors.

I purchased the scarf in the shade Alabaster - it is a gorgeous off-white colour with a soft creamy undertone and hints of subtle pink. Those who know me know my love for understated color palettes runs deep.

Protip: Please bear in mind that the colours may appear differently on your screen. So I strongly recommend that you visit the nearest Burberry Outlet to see the scarves in person to ensure that you purchase the right colour for you.

The product features are:

• Dimension: 168 x 30cm/66.1 x 11.8in

• Material: 100% cashmere

• Shape: Rectangular

• Style: Fringing at both ends

• Washing Instruction: Specialist dry clean

• Made in Scotland

Burberry introduced its distinct complimentary monogramming service in 2014 which allows customers to personalize their scarf by inscribing their initials on the same. However, this service is only available when purchasing a new scarf.

Protip: Personalized items are non-refundable so please be sure of your choice before completing the transaction.

Burberry Cashmere Scarf - Purchasing Methods

Well, there are several ways in which you can purchase the scarf; the most obvious one being a store visit. I am a little old school when it comes to shopping as I prefer physically visiting the store to purchase stuff compared to doing it virtually.

You can also purchase it online via the official Burberry Website. You will find a store locater tool within the website that allows you to locate authorized retailers near you.

The website also has an inbuilt chat box for customers that require assistance. The customer care consultants are very responsive and helpful. You can reach out to them should you require help completing your online transaction. The consultants will also be able to arrange delivery of your scarf to your home (provided it is within their global shipping destination) at no cost.

I can vouch for their top-notch customer service through my own personal experience. I had initially wanted my scarf to be monogrammed but I was informed that the personalization service will take a longer time to action during peak season i.e. Christmas which was during the time of my visit. I was bummed because I really wanted it personalized.

Sensing my disappointment, the consultant that I was liaising with offered to place an order on my behalf immediately to allow the store sufficient time to arrange personalization. Thrilled by the idea, I immediately proceeded with the transaction, only to receive a cancellation of order email from Burberry.

I was confused so I reached out to them to seek clarification. As it turns out, Burberry has a very stringent security screening which I obviously failed. While I appreciate the strict security measure that they have in place; I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a tad annoyed.

Long story short, they detected a significant geo discrepancy in my order where my billing address is in Malaysia, shipping address is in UK store, IP address is in Jordan. For the reasons above, they were not able to accept my order. In hindsight, it does seem a little shady. Lol.

Anyhow, the cancellation ended up being a blessing in disguise because I originally chose the shade Stone but I absolutely hated it - it made me look washed out when I put it on. Imagine my relief - I would otherwise be stuck with a scarf that I did not like and it would have terribly set me back in a major way $$$ wise.

So I truly believe things happen for a reason. I was not able to have my scarf monogrammed but I ended up with one that I really love -so I consider this a win!

You can also go down the pre-loved goods route if you are looking to save a few bucks. As mentioned in my previous post, check out Vestiaire Collective. This is an exclusive online platform that sells high-end second-hand luxury good. You will also be able to filter goods based on their condition and the team also verifies the authenticity of the said product - so you do not have to worry about purchasing counterfeit products.

How to spot counterfeit Burberry Scarves?

Burberry's iconic check pattern is unfortunately one of the most widely imitated trademarks in the world. When you are purchasing the scarf online, it may be tricky to tell the original from a fake.

I found an article online that highlights a few indicators that one should look out for in order to determine the authenticity of a Burberry scarf:

According to the author, you should pay close attention to the following:

• Check the wash tag on the interior and the exterior sides. Mostly, the fake Burberry scarves have their text improperly font-weighted

• Analyze the exterior boxy tag. Usually, the counterfeit Burberry scarves have their text either too thick or too thin and improperly kerned between the letters

• Verify the tassels of your Burberry scarf. Most of the time, the fake Burberry scarves have their tassels looking too thin and too short

• Inspect the packaging of the Burberry scarf. The full package of the authentic Burberry scarves contains the receipt, a paper with the contact information of Burberry, an extra Burberry tag, and the box

Things to Consider before purchasing a Burberry Scarf

Fabric - As you are aware, Burberry scarves are available in many types of fabric and it is up to you to decide the type of fabric that best suits your needs. If you are looking at something that you can wear all year round; then a lightweight scarf in wool or silk blend might be a good fit. A cashmere scarf will keep you warm and toasty during winter. When wrapped around your neck, its cloud-like texture feels like a cozy soft hug. Keep in mind that the prices of the scarves vary according to the fabric.

Colour - In my opinion, the colour of the scarf makes a world of difference. I urge you to walk into any of the Burberry stores to find the right fit for you. Do not rely on the images you see on your screen - You will be surprised to find how different the colours are in person.

Longevity - I read a substantial number of reviews online prior to purchasing the scarf and each one of them vouched for the durability and longevity of the scarf. Long-term customers were happy to report that their cashmere scarves are not easily susceptible to pilling.

Versatility - Burberry scarves will add a touch of elegance to your outfit. Classic scarf teams well with any outfit and will always be in style. It is best to choose a style that works well with your wardrobe so that the scarf does not clash with the rest of your look.

Product care - Burberry advises against handwashing the cashmere scarf because of the delicate nature of the yarn used to weave the scarf. It is recommended that you use a specialist dry cleaning service to maintain and restore the soft finish of the scarf.

Storage - The scarves should be stored in a cool dry place - away from direct sunlight to maintain its luster. Make sure your scarf is completely dry before storing it. Cashmere should always be folded; hanging it can cause the fabric to stretch and crease.

Protip: Separate your cashmere from other clothing by placing tissue paper in between

Burberry Cashmere Scarf - Is it worth the hefty price tag?

There is no objective answer to this question and it all boils down to individual choice. I am a believer of quality products and I always gravitate towards pieces that are elegant, comfortable, and pair well with my wardrobe. I also like pieces that are timeless and will always be relevant.

When it comes to scarves, I personally feel that it is best to invest in a classic quality piece and Burberry was the way to go for me. Not only is the scarf made with materials of the finest quality; but it is also a statement piece that adds a sophisticated flair to a casual look.

Burberry scarves are likely to last forever, so they can easily be passed down to generations to come. If for some reason, you lose interest in your scarf you can always resell it at a higher price point compared to a regular cashmere scarf.

If you are a lover of checks or plaids and you find Burberry's pattern beautiful then it might be worthwhile for you to purchase the said scarf. I personally do not mind the price, taking into account the tremendous amount of hand labour that has gone into the making of the scarf and obviously, the brand counts for something too.

Burberry scarves have been in trend for centuries and are here to stay. So why not invest in a piece that's chic, cozy, and a timeless classic?

Till the next entry. Toodles.