Pashmina pashmina

Until I came to London, I did not know what a pashmina was.  My conservative wardrobe was littered with jackets galore.  Traditional and tailored coats were not just staples; they were the only options.

If you talk to a Londoner about the trend of the pashmina, they will look at you as if you asked them to comment on the trend of shoes.  Pashminas are not a fad here.  They are a way of life.

Practical and simple, pashminas are as functional as they are elegant.  More than a wrap, pashminas are a way to swathe yourself in warmth and luxury.

Ironically, the word pashmina does not really refer to the actual wrap that most identify as a pashmina.  In fact, the word pashmina is literally the material from which the wraps are made.  It is a type of cashmere gathered from the undercoat of Himalayan mountain goats.  The material is so thin it cannot be woven by machine, only by hand.

 In the opinion of cashmere manufacturer and exporter company High Himalaya Garments, pashminas have always had an elite following: “For centuries, the Royalties and the wealthiest women in Nepal and other neighboring countries have relied on the fine Pashmina products to adorn their shoulders…Stylish women all over the world have used Pashmina as the icing on the cake of their designer wears.”  Perhaps the company is right, since Napoleon is even credited with presenting Empress Josephine with a pashmina in the beginning of the 19^th century.  

According to the website Pashmina Golden, high-quality stores and designers sell scarves woven from 100 percent genuine cashmere or a silk blend:  “But beware of fake ‘ordinary wool’ garments masquerading as pashmina on sale in less reputable shops.”

Although pashmina is truly high-quality cashmere, it is the style I enjoy, not the expensive material.  When picking a pashmina, I suggest worrying more about the colour than the quality of the fabric. 

A wrap of this style made of ANY material will look chic.  However, the wrong colour will make your face look sallow.  Remember that this is a garment worn around the face, and it should be a colour that flatters your skin type.  Golden yellow tones are a nice look.

Perhaps try a pashmina in one of this season’s hottest shades: purple.  If you tire of it or become too toasty, simply remove it from your neck and let it adorn your purse.

The possibilities are endless!  Grab a pashmina today and enjoy the versatility, freedom, and colour it will add to your wardrobe and your life.  You might just hang that jacket up forever.

Dacia Abel

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