Do you have a vintage silk scarf that’s just too pretty to wear in your everyday life? When I was studying abroad in Paris, I bought a vintage Lanvin scarf that I had no intention of wearing. It was that beautiful! But the problem was I didn’t know what to do with it. I knew I wanted to display it somehow, but I wasn’t sure the best way to go about it. After five long years of storing the scarf, I finally came across the perfect solution: framing it!
By the end of this post, you’ll know exactly how to turn a silk scarf into a piece of art you actually get to enjoy. I’ll walk you through where to find vintage scarves (and modern ones with a vintage feel!), how I framed mine, and a few ideas to help you decide the best way to frame a scarf of your own.
Here’s what’s in store:
- The Story Behind My Vintage Lanvin Scarf
- Shop Silk Scarves
- Tips for Framing Your Own Vintage Silk Scarf
- Framing Inspiration
This post contains affiliate links, which means I may earn a small commission if you purchase through them (at no extra cost to you!). I only share products I truly love and recommend.
How I Framed a Vintage Silk Scarf
The Story Behind My Vintage Lanvin Scarf
During my sophomore year of college at Rhode Island School of Design, I studied abroad in Paris for six weeks. I took a black and white film photography course, and our small class size allowed for plenty of time for sightseeing and photographing. My friends and I spent many an afternoon eating macarons, speaking in broken French, and riding the Métro all over the city.
One of our favorite adventures was to the Marché aux Puces de St.-Ouen (here is a great New York Times article about the market). This flea market is absolutely huge; you could easily spend an entire day roaming the shops.
During our first trip to the flea market, I stopped into a shop with vintage Chanel and Louis Vuitton in the window. A vintage Lanvin scarf folded on a shelf quickly caught my eye. It had a delicate floral pattern with vibrant colors. I toyed with the idea of buying the scarf, but it was over my souvenir budget. My nervousness about bargaining in French probably kept me from buying, too!
I left the store without purchasing, but it didn’t leave my mind (a sign you should definitely buy something, right!?). A week or so later, my friends and I returned to the flea market. Luckily, the scarf was still on the shop’s shelf. I left so happy I’d made the purchase. It’s by far my favorite souvenir from my time in Paris.
P.S. If you’re into commemorating trips, check out this post to see how I designed two travel photo albums for my honeymoon and a trip to Ireland!
Shop Silk Scarves
Since you might not be able to make it to the Marché aux Puces de St.-Ouen anytime soon, I rounded up some similar silk scarves for you! Whether you want to go vintage or find a new scarf, any of these will be perfect to turn into art.
A note on sizing: You can go with a large statement scarf like mine or a smaller neck scarf, depending on how big you want your art to be. Neck scarves usually start around 17″ x 17″, and larger scarves range from 25″ x 25″ up to 35″ x 35″.
Vintage Finds
New Silk Scarves with a Vintage Feel
Tips for Framing Your Own Vintage Silk Scarf
If you’re planning to frame a vintage silk scarf of your own, there are a few key things to consider before you start. After framing my Lanvin scarf, I learned what makes the biggest difference in preserving delicate materials, and when it’s worth hiring a professional instead of going the DIY route. If you’ve ever wondered how to frame a vintage silk scarf, here’s what I learned along the way.
DIY vs. Professional Framer
Before deciding whether to frame your scarf yourself or take it to a professional, think about the delicacy of the fabric and how much time you’re willing to invest in the project (framing fabric is trickier than paper prints!).
I decided not to DIY this project because I had no clue how to frame a textile, and I wasn’t willing to mess it up! My local Charleston framer, Artizom, has a textile specialist on staff, so I knew it would be in the best of hands. They also used museum-quality glass that protects against UV light to preserve the vibrant colors. The total framing cost came in just under $400, which I consider a steal, especially since oversized frames alone can cost that much before factoring in expert labor.
Framebridge is also a great place to frame textiles online! You just upload a photo of your scarf, enter the size, choose your frame, and send your scarf in. Note that they can only frame textiles up to 24″ x 34″ unless you go into a store near you.
Prepping Your Scarf
Before taking your scarf to the framer or starting your DIY project, make sure it’s clean and wrinkle-free. If it’s especially delicate or valuable, bring it to a professional dry cleaner experienced with silk. A freshly cleaned and pressed scarf will look noticeably sharper and more polished in your frame!
Matting vs. Floating
I originally planned to frame my scarf between two panes of glass. Ultimately, I decided against it because I knew the color of the wall would always affect how the scarf looked. If I painted the wall a darker color, it could change the whole effect.
My framer also explained that floating a scarf between glass can make it harder to keep dust out and get the scarf perfectly straight. They recommended mounting it with a textured matte instead, and I love how it turned out!
Framing Inspiration
Several of my photography clients gave me inspiration for framing vintage silk scarves. The first was artist Sam Sidney, who had floated a retro Florida-themed scarf between two panes of glass. In this case, I’m obsessed with how her black and white dot pattern shows through around the edges of the frame!
Interior designer Jill Howard also showed off a framed scarf she sourced in Romania during her brand shoot. I couldn’t resist using it as a backdrop in her branding photos.
Frame Your Scarf!
Framing a vintage silk scarf is such a fun home decor project. Deciding on the safest and most beautiful way to display my scarf took a few years, but it was worth the wait! My Lanvin scarf is my absolute favorite piece of art hanging on our walls.
Now that you have my helpful tips and inspiration for how to frame a vintage silk scarf, check out my post Ways to Display Framed Art in Every Room of the House!
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