How to Choose a Pashmina Shawl or Scarf

An excellent addition to any wardrobe is a quality pashmina shawls. However, because of confusion about terminology and misleading labeling, finding a pashmina that really is high quality is not always so easy. Here are some tips to help you get your budget's best pashmina.

What is pashmina anyway?

Many confusion about what pashmina is come from people who use the phrase " a pashmina " to refer to any type of big, soft, lightweight wrap. In fact, Pashmina is wool from the Capra hircus goat. The name pashmina comes from the Persian word "pashm" which means " inside " or " underside, " because of the area from which the wool comes. Although it is sometimes defined as high-quality cashmere, the same thing is actually pashmina and cashmere.

Pashmina Shawls

Quality material

So why are some shawls of pashmina going for $ 40 while others cost several hundred dollars? Much has to do with the kind of cashmere used to make the shawl. The highest quality pashmina comes from the upper chest and goat area. This wool is very soft but very delicate. It takes great care and time to weave, which increases the price of any product. On the other hand, lower quality pashmina is a gorge wool mixed with coarser wool from the belly and shoulders. This wool is harder to work with, so it takes less effort to weave. However, this is still considered pure pashmina. The most important factor is that the pashmina is not mixed with the sheep wool, which is noticeably more coarse, and the pashmina is of course no longer pure.

Pashmina shawl or scarf should be 100 percent pashmina (cashmere) or 70 percent pashmina and 30 percent silk to be of reasonable quality. Other pashmina and silk ratios can also be found. There is nothing wrong with a pashmina/silk mixture, as long as you know what you get. Just be aware that the sheen of a pashmina shawl is not an indication of quality; it only means that the cashmere was mixed with silk.

Quality workmanship

Handmade items are of generally higher quality than assembly-line manufactured items and the same goes for pashmina shawls and scarves. The better ones are woven by hand and any embroidery or any tassels is also done by hand.

Part of the workmanship quality also includes something that is not done. A quality pashmina product will need nothing to make it soft. When using low-quality cashmere, the shawl or scarf must be brushed or treated with chemicals to make it feel as soft as high-quality cashmere. This tough treatment stresses fibers and reduces lifespan. Shawls treated easily wear thin, ravel or tear.

Confusing labeling

Sometimes pashmina is incorrectly defined as a blend of cashmere and silk, some unethical manufacturers label pashmina-silk blends as "real pashmina”. Also stay away from pashmina shawls and scarves containing viscose. Viscose is a man-made material and although it has a silk-like sheen, it is not almost as soft or strong as either real pashmina or silk.

The best way to get the highest quality pashmina shawl or scarf is to buy from a reputable company that knows the true definition of pashmina and manufactures hand - woven products. Don't be shy with questions. If a salesperson tries to convince you that sheen is a sign of quality or admits that the pashmina has been mixed with " other natural fibers, " such as sheep wool, you will not be able to waste your money. However, take the time to find a really high-quality pashmina product and you will be rewarded with a lovely, comfortable wardrobe accessory that