Saturday, November 12, 2011

Pashmina Shawls - Soft, Warm and Practical

By Agus Rahman


In the style industry, pashmina shawls are considered a must-have accessory.

For centuries, this delightful fabric/wool has been associated with status plus the upper-class,. Doing research on them, created me realize how crucial and popular this model accessory is. No doubt even today pashmina shawls are associated with status....

For me, it's unthinkable to be seen without my shawl. Its soft and captivating feel is only out of this world. My wardrobe is full of scarves and shawls created from Pashmina and when I want a satiny finish look, I only carry out my blended silk Pashmina, which is durable and strong.

In the course of my research when I was endeavoring to find out more regarding this wonderful fabric, I learned that this elegant fabric is created using the soft hair of mountain goats. These goats live in the Indian state of Kashmir and the neighboring country of Nepal at an altitude of over 10, 000 meters, way up in the Himalaya Mountains. In order to protect itself from the vagaries of weather, the goats produces a fine soft hair underneath their thick outer coat which are collected and woven into gorgeous Pashmina scarves and shawls by the local artisans.

Pashmina is obtainable in different colors and is used to enhance apparel and attire for any event. However, most colours are pastel with peach, silver gray, cream and light blue being the most often obtainable. But, I too own a bright coloured one in burgundy and royal blue. I too found out there are ideal sizes for pashmina scarves and shawls. This got me running to my wardrobe. I heaved a sigh of relief to find out that my shawl was the correct size of 30" X 80"; my scarf measured 12" X 60"; while my stole was the mandatory 28" X 80". It was a relief to know that when I was starting out in the fashion industry, I did not end up making a style faux pas.

The reason I love my Pashmina shawls and scarves is the versatility they offer me when I apparel. I may use it to shield myself from the cold, or only wear it to enhance a dull looking apparel. Better still, I can make a fashion statement by draping it confidently across my shoulders. As a teenager, while my peers and friends were experimenting with lipsticks and eye shadows, I was busy trying to find ways to enhance my appearance with something as simple as a scarf or shawl. I was lucky to be introduced to Pashmina scarves and shawls by my mother and it was afterward that my Pashmina-mania began.

Today, I have got a collection that is envied and I am glad that I chose the path of Pashmina scarves and shawls to enhance my functions and clothes. Given a possibility all over again, there's nothing I would do differently. I would still purchase all the scarves and shawls I have; and I would still wear them and look elegant at any event.




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