So if my #1 rule for silk scarfs is to make sure it is 100% silk, rule #2 is pay attention to the hem. That's what is going to determine the service life of the scarf. A weak hem will come undone, and then your edges start to fray, and it's all downhill from there. Been there, done that.

Hermès likes to talk about their hems being laboriously hand-folded and stitched by little old Parisian dames, but I don't like the result. I think a machine serged hem is much better. (Other than the hem, the Hermès scarves are nice, and the silk screening process they use is really neat -- but, yeah, not really worth the price.)

(This discussion is really classing up the bike touring forum.)

The two places I buy from are Cowboy Images and Wild West Rag Co.