–SPECIAL– "HERMES" 90’s-00’s Double-faced reversible linen cotton cardigan

From HERMÈS, which has defined luxury through the quiet persuasion of materials and tailoring while integrating artisan techniques into daily life, we introduce a special reversible piece that embodies the philosophy of Margiela's era with elegance.

Thanks to the luxurious double-face structure of linen and cotton, this piece blurs the boundary between front and back, functioning both as a lightweight outerwear and a coat-like presence. The deep V-line makes the neck look sleek; whether buttoned or unbuttoned, the vertical flow remains beautifully intact, creating a refined aura as if draped in space.

First, I want to highlight the material design: the dry firmness of linen and the soft rebound of cotton balance within a single layer, making it resistant to losing its outline like woven fabric despite being knit, while also swaying gracefully when moved—highlighting its duality. The edge finishing is subtly designed to reveal a hint of the underside color, creating a visual effect similar to piping, adding depth without ornamentation—very HERMÈS-like.

The details are also remarkably refined, with front buttons made of thick horn engraved with an H, designed to be fastened from either side, establishing the reversible function as a design feature. The large patch pockets are placed to create a soft roundness at the waist, gently softening the typically straight silhouette of a long cardigan, ensuring a relaxed drape. The cuffs and hem are finished with ribbing typical of knitwear, maintaining overall length to create a sense of volume that separates from the body, allowing enjoyment of an unisex, airy silhouette.

Regarding its age authenticity, this piece has clear grounds: the care label uses the old JIS notation used in Japan from 1995 to 2016, confirming it is not a recent model. Additionally, the placement of the main HERMÈS PARIS label on beige satin and the tag structure with only Hermes Japonese markings align with Margiela's tenure, suggesting it likely dates from around 1998 to 2003. The absence of multilingual book-style labels or QR elements seen in current models further supports this.

What Margiela proposed at HERMÈS is not a flamboyant symbol but a quiet uplift born from luxurious structural simplicity. This cardigan, designed to erase the concept of front and back through its construction, physically embodies the philosophy of entrusting value to the wearer's gestures and time. The linen-blend double-faced fabric, prone to weight and difficult to craft, is rare when the collar and buttonholes show no stretch, and this piece meets those conditions, making it worthy of being called a MOOD special collection masterpiece.

In everyday wear, it is especially effective in situations that cross indoor and outdoor boundaries, such as when you want to maintain dignity without formality like a jacket, or when you want to strip down your outfit and rely on material persuasion. The reversible function is not just playful but works as a mechanism to switch moods through gestures, making each wear a quiet experience update—an exclusive charm of this piece.

Styling is most effectively highlighted by pairing a neat shirt with slacks, finishing with leather shoes for a quiet elegance reminiscent of Margiela-era HERMÈS. Layering a long coat over minimal tops as an intermediate layer, unbuttoning to create vertical lines, results in an urban, genderless mood. Additionally, adding subtle elements like a high-quality scarf or a slim leather belt enhances the texture gradation, beautifully resonating with the cardigan's dualistic philosophy.

Take this opportunity without hesitation.