Pashmina Cashmere Directory

Pashmina Quality

Quality of Pashmina : Increasingly sought-after by stylish women of all ages who recognize the elegance of these shawls - a well-chosen Pashmina can transform the simplest attire into the most chic ensemble - and appreciate their practicality and versatility as a snug muffler, coat or blanket.

Most department stores and designers retail scarves woven from 100 percent genuine fiber or blended with silk. But beware of fake "ordinary wool" garments masquerading as pashmina on sale in less reputable shops. This luxurious accessory can also be purchased on the internet through several pashmina websites and online stores.

"A pashmina is worn close to the face and the color must suit each persons skin tone". The colors that are particularly popular are shades of purple; from pale lilac to a deep violet shade of prune, ivory, black etc. Pashmina trends are slightly ethnic embrodiery and pleats.

Pure Pashmina is a luxury item so weavers combine the 12-14 micron thick Pashmina fibre with silk or angora to impart durability and lustre to the material. Although this dilutes the purity of the fabric but pure Pashmina is coarse and too delicate to wear.

It takes the wool from four goats and over 200 man-hours (spinning, weaving, dying and decorating) to make just one pashmina shawl. Hand-spinning the wool for a single pashmina takes 15 days, so naturally the labor-intensive production is reflected in the quality of pashmina.