So This Is Why Hermès Baby Blankets Are in Every Chic Nursery These Days
Scroll through any #nurseryinspo images on Instagram or Pinterest, and within seconds, you’ll spot it: the familiar checkerboard pattern and serifed H’s of Herm`s’s Avalon baby blanket. It’s become the status symbol of stylish bébés everywhere-or perhaps their parents-appearing on the cribs of the Kardashian kids, fashion designer Rachel Zoe, and interior designer Kelly Wearstler, just to name a few. Google Trends data also backs this up, showing searches for the blanket spiking every holiday season and gradually building in overall interest over the past five years. It's become so popular that people are selling knockoff designs on Etsy and eBay.
Admittedly, it’s hard to put a price on what you’ll swaddle your most precious cargo in-until you realize that $980 is a whole lot of money to spend on something your baby will all-too-likely spit up on. Or have a blowout while wrapped in it. And will likely outgrow in just a few years, if not months. (Sorry for the graphic images, but hey, facts are facts.)
However, it turns out that the luxe, 90 percent merino wool, 10 percent cashmere blanket can serve another purpose, once your baby’s outgrown it: It’s the ideal-size throw for a chair, designer and Elements of Family Style author Erin Gates revealed. She hadn't planned on investing in one, but after finding herself with a $500 credit to use at Hermès, Erin decided to splurge. While it's technically a gift for her son, Henry, she's found she's probably gotten more use out of it than he has.
"It spends more time in my living room than in his room," she laughed.
At 39 inches by 55 inches, the throw won’t bunch up awkwardly or drag on the ground, making it a great finishing touch for that lonely armchair in your study, or draped on your sofa.
"They're less bulky," Erin explained. "Plus, you're not really using them-you're accessorizing with them, so that smaller size is perfect. And it's about half the price of the regular throw."
Gates has a point: Full-size Hermés throw blankets fetch $1,525 or more, so if you want the look without resorting to a dupe, you might want to scour the baby section. And, considering that the baby blanket has surprisingly good resale value-ones in "good condition" are being listed for anywhere from $325 to $800 on sites like Sotheby's Home, The Real Real, Tradesy, and eBay-you may finally have all the excuses you need to treat yo'self to one of those signature orange boxes.
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