My uncunningly punning mind went first to 'Cape Crusader' and then thought better of it. Next up, 'Cape of Good Goat' and shortly after I hit rock bottom.

So I went about doing something else (we're currently working on a bespoke print for a scarf for a famous London charity) so I did a bit of that and sent stuff off and got stuff back etc. Business.

And then, BOOM. Capability Brown. Capability Black. Cape-ability Black. Perhaps the last permutation is step too far. Perhaps not. Who knows? Who cares?

Vogue cares. Vogue cares about capes right now. (apologies for tattered edge of image. Was overwhelmed):

And that is something I am pleased about for I care for capes. They have been the mainstay of our Autumn/Winter collections for a number of years now. Last year, we introduced the black/bright contrast with this Black and Magenta Double-Sided Cape in Cashmere and Silk (£195) selling up a storm:

This year, we're backing the black/camel as the dead-cert, given that camel seems to be the colour and you really cannot go wrong with this combo. As indeed the black/ivory. Both are currently sold out but we expect new stock by the end of August.

Camel and Black Double-Side Cape - Cashmere & Silk      SOLD OUT

Black and Ivory Double Sided Cape - Cashmere & Silk    SOLD OUT

For Bright meanwhile we have been a little more experimental with a navy/ballerina pink version winging its way in and a coco/terracotta to boot.

Terracotta. Brown. Cape-ability brown. Capability Brown.

Ps. Our best-selling cape to date is this one:

Mirabel. Simple, elegant, timeless.

 Hibiscus Silk Print Scarf - 100% Silk. £120. BrightByBlack.co.uk

Isn't it good to know that when a woman gets hold of the subject of football she gets right to the heart of the things that matter?

And those would be:

1. Why does David Beckham look so dramatically better in the M&S for England suit than Capello?
2. Does Frank Lampard exfoliate and if so what brand does he use?
3. Isn't there a certain unexpected tenderness in Steven Gerrard's eyes when he does that interview thing at the end of the game?
4. (And crucially) How well dressed is the Germany coach?

Joachim Loew, the Germany coach, knows how to wear a cashmere scarf. Sorry to say it given Sunday's imminent tie, but he does. Regard Exhibit A:

As an Accessorist* I have an internal response mechanism that leads me to compare this scarf instantly with Black's cashmere scarves.

On this occasion I thought of the Rivington Superfine Scarf; lots of caps, er, etc. But it would not do just to post a standard picture of it. No. Because Loew wears it so well, we needed to step up to the plate. Go head to head.

Introducing Toby (and England), our Sales and Marketing Manager, wearing the Rivington Superfine Cashmere Scarf (£85):

Who wins in this crucial Scarf Tie**? England or Germany? Comments below please...

* Do not consult dictionary. This is a real word.
** We sell these too.

Back in stock and just in time for this sumptuous summer, drrrrrrrrrrum roll!

Safi Square Shawl.

When this shawl first hit the site it sold out almost instantly, thanks I think to the tantalising lusciousness of the colours (we were also featured in a magazine, which helped). We've had reports back from the customers who bought from our first delivery and, by consensus, it is an absolute favourite. These same customers report that they have been stopped in the street when wearing it by women who ask where they can get one. This is also, phenomenally,  the case with the Babylon Scarf.

So here we go, back in stock for all of you who have been keeping an eye out for it. I have one and find that it looks winning with grey marl and white; these neutrals really bring out the colour.  (NB: limited stock available).

Who am I kidding? Shame on me for skewering my agenda onto unwilling maxims. (See 'Justify my Glove')

Clearly, this is not the weather for long leather gloves. Imagine the result of the sweat/leather alchemy. A & E.

However, this is the platform for promoting our exciting upcoming products.

Today's are no exception: Anthracite and White Swarovski-Crystal Studded Black Suede Leather Gloves, lined with silk. This is the sort of thing that would make the sun shut up shop and humbly make way for the moon. (£199)

Additionally, expect to see these Long Leather Gloves with Leather Trellis Detail and Tassles - also silk-lined. Wear with a Highwayman-esque cashmere cape and a black beret and get on the plane to St Petersburg. TAXI! (£149)

And finally, we must not forget the racier of our glovely customers. Coming soon are these retro Cotton Crochet and Tan Leather Fingerless Driving Gloves. Vroom vroom. (£75)

Stock arriving June/July.  Made in Italy.

Yesterday, we received an appeal from a customer of ours, who shall remain anonymous. So stirring was her letter that how could a) we not share it and b) we not do something about it:

"This is a long shot and an absolute stab in the dark but last year I bought the Babylon Scarf and I fell madly in love with it. From the minute I saw it online to the months on end I wore it nonstop, it saw me through the long dull winter we seem to have had and made me feel great. To sum up, I absolutely loved this scarf, the colours, the feel, I have never before or since seen something I love this much.

Then last week on the tube in London I lost it. As soon as I stepped off the tube and the train pulled away I realised it had gone. I chased it and the tube for 2 hours to the end of the line, checking each station to see if it had been handed in. No sign of it anywhere. Luckily you still have the scarf and there's no way I can't not replace it, especially now the sun is out and it's even more perfect for spring. But I have to admit, it was expensive for me when I first bought it and to buy it again is going to bite, though worth it of course. So I just wondered if you were able to offer any kind of discount? I know it's cheeky and like I said a stab in the dark, I have to re-buy this scarf and I just thought if I don't ask I'll never know. Yours hopefully."

Now, with my Agony Aunt hat on - it should naturally follow that as an accessories specialist I should have access to any number of hats (literal or figurative) - I have no choice but to come to the rescue. For it is rare that we are on the receiving end of such delicate, halycon prose and I think it should be rewarded.

So tell me reader, how should I reward such fervent loyalty?

NB: The Babylon Scarf is now SOLD OUT. We would advise pre-ordering to avoid disappointment, given that there is a long waiting list for this scarf. Stock due in mid-June. Email black@black.co.uk for more details.

There's a first time for everything. So it was that over a week ago Black witnessed its very first wedding; not bad going for just under four years of trading. Worth underlining here that we accept that Black is an inanimate object and that what we mean is that other members of the Black team witnessed another member get married.

Here is a gratuitous snap:

The Black Wedding, as well as being a lovely affair, also marks the beginning of wedding season; a time of year where we pick up a number of calls from brides looking for the perfect ivory shrug, or lace gloves, or hair accessories for bridesmaids, or luxury shawls for wedding guests. With this in mind, we've decided to launch the Wedding Edit, where the wedding party can find all the accessories they need under one 'roof'.

The Wedding Edit launches May 20 2010.

I just shouted across the office to The Boss: "You know the word 'monochrome'?'.

'Yes', she replied.

"It means black and white, doesn't it?

'Yes', she replied.

" Well that's wrong isn't it? Mono is Greek for one?' (cue a quick honk on Google following what seems to be a very popular question:  'is mono greek or latin?')

"Yes," she concluded.

And that was that. But what am I to do? Reinvent the wheel? No. Enough Greekness.

So here we go. Enter the Monochrome Zone and explore our new arrivals:

Knox White and Black Scarf - Cashmere and Silk

Ivory/white cashmere mix scarf featuring contrasting black piping along all sides - the weight of which allows the ends of the scarf to flute. Lightweight and supersoft.

Black to Cream Shaded Pashmina Shawl - 100% Cashmere

This shaded pashmina ring shawl measuring 200cm x 100cm is made from pure, fine cashmere that is spun and woven by hand. The tie-dye technique makes for a dramatic look, with strong jet black bleeding narrowly into grey then thick, rich clotted cream.

Black and Ivory Double-Sided Cape - Cashmere and Silk

Black on one side and ivory on the other, this double-sided cashmere/silk cape is reversible; two capes in one.

Amid the chaos caused by the volcanic ash cloud suspended over Europe this minute, it feels strange to blog about the merits of a scarf. Soldiers are stranded, bone marrow stem cells are rapidly nearing the end of their 72-hour lives and Brits in the US who had planned to leave last Thursday are being told that the latest they can return home is at the end of next week. So it's certainly a 'thinker' to find an appropriate angle for this posting.

'Why post at all?' You may ask (You may not - I doubt you've even got this far. And I'm banking on that so I don't have to answer you).

Well, I found an angle. And it is tenuous and goes like this:

NEW! (SCREAM) at Black.co.uk: Black and Cream Shaded Pashmina Shawl -  100% Cashmere.

What happens when you mix black and cream (read white)? You get grey. What is grey? Ash is grey. This is our Volcanic Ash Cloud over Northern Europe Tribute Scarf. The ash may go, but this will last forever. (Available online from 20th April 2010)

About four years ago we decided to name men’s scarves after London streets. Our classic scarves, The Burlington Black Cashmere Scarf and the Cadogan Grey Cashmere Scarf are now referred to by us as the Burl and the Cad. Rather pretentious. I’d give it 5/10 on the scale where 0 is naming a spade a spade and 10 is not naming a spade at all.

This week we took delivery of a collection of spring summer scarves, mainly men’s. Up came the London street map. So we have:

The Downshire (a street in Belsize Park)

Tavistock (as above)

Pembridge (Notting Hill)

Compton (Soho)

Westbourne (Bayswater/Notting Hill)

Lancaster (Belsize Park)

And then we stumbled on this one, because it is part of our women's range. Toby (sales and marketing manager) advised Brokeback.  Tough sell. We opted for Portobello. Safe.