The Luxury of Pashmina Shawls
Pashmina has become synonymous with every shawl, scarf or stole that is not made from wool or synthetic fibers. This can lead many people astray as they end up paying for something that is not original. I constantly endeavor to educate people about this beautiful material, which is type of wool.
A Pashmina scarf or stole helps me add that missing touch of elegance to my attire. Although I wear the scarf to feel good about, it surely helps when I am complimented by friends and acquaintances. Pashmina has become my trademark and I love the individuality and grace it lends to my outfits.
For those of you who are wondering what Pashmina is, let me explain to you. Pashmina is a type of wool that is harvested from a breed of mountain goats living in the Himalayas in India and Nepal. The goat is found at altitudes of over 10,000 meters and in order to protect itself from the icy cold, it grows an inner coat which is used to make Pashminas. Each hair from the inner coat is so fine that the diameter is around 1/6th of a human hair. The amazing thing is that Pashminas are extremely warm and comfortable.
Although the scarves and shawls have been around for thousands of years, it was only in the 1990s that Pashmina became a fashion statement. It was trendy to be seen donning one. But where my dressing is concerned, I have never bothered to follow the trends. I wear a Pashmina because I love the feel of the soft wool against my skin. It makes me feel very lady-like and genteel.
With years of experience in the fashion industry, I know that the best way to take care of your Pashmina is either to dry clean it or use cold water and baby shampoo to hand wash it. Remember, a hand washed Pashmina should never be squeezed. Instead spread it out on a flat surface and let it air dry. When I want to iron my scarves and shawls after washing them, I put a piece of paper over the scarves and shawls and run a warm iron.