I've been very fortunate in that when I was young I saw some of the most beautiful silk scarves that can be bought. My grandmother would travel to Italy and Paris.  And, she occasionally would buy one of these treasures. There is something very special about them.  And this article I wrote for Wrapped Beautifully explains what it is, in my view: http://www.wrappedbeautifully.com/scarves-now/2011/02/silk-scarves-what-makes-them-special.html