Hermès’s square silk scarf format is called the Carré, a French word meaning “square.” The house introduced its first silk scarf in 1937, establishing a product category that became central to its identity.
Hermès scarves are known for their detailed printed designs, rolled edges, and substantial silk twill. Each design is produced through a labor-intensive process involving engraved screens and layers of color, so a single scarf can require extensive preparation.
Carré is sometimes confused with Twilly, which is a narrower, elongated Hermès silk accessory. Kelly, meanwhile, is the name of a handbag, not a scarf format. These distinctions matter because Hermès uses specialized names for many of its products.
The square scarf became versatile as well as collectible. It can be worn around the neck, tied to a handbag, used as a head covering, or displayed as textile art. Its combination of illustration, craftsmanship, and repeatable styling helped turn a practical accessory into a major luxury-fashion signature.