Pashmina is what? Types of Pashmina

In the distant Himalayas, high in the mountains, calmly calm animals graze. Their bodies are covered with such long and thick hair that it is often difficult to recognize goats. Local residents call them Chuangra, Europeans call stone or cashmere goats, but science is Capra hircus laniger. Strangely enough, but the fact that these horned creatures can not freeze on the tops of the mountains, down there, is the subject of adoring fashion connoisseurs around the world.

Cashmere goats

Stone goats annually, on the eve of a severe winter, are covered with a warm and light undercoat. Shepherds, combing it in the spring, collect raw materials for the production of cashmere, which is one of the most valuable materials in the world. At the same time on the body of the Chuangra the main sites are the neck and the underbelly. It is in these places that the warmest, lightest and finest wool grows. From it, in the future, pashmina is produced - this is an elite cashmere grade, which consists of raw material with a thickness of about 14 microns. And this is 6 times thinner than human hair! Woven and knitted products are made from the material. The most popular, one might even say, cult of them, is a shawl made of pashmina.

So, the word comes from the Persian pashm, which translates as "wool." At the present moment pashmina is actual material, practically a trade mark. To have a scarf or shawl from it seeks every self-respecting fashionista. But in choosing a real, really good thing, there are some difficulties, which we will discuss below.

History

These shawls are made in Nepal and Tibet for a very long time: 3000 more years ago our ancestors sported in pashmina, which, of course, differed from modern samples.

Pashmina is wool, from time immemorial known in the Middle East and Asia - the Maharajas, sultans and emperors bought the best shawls and cloaks that served for the ceremonial dress, and they were inherited (this material, with proper care, can serve very much long). This garment from the shepherd's garment turned into a royal one.

On this material in Europe, fashion, as usual, was introduced by the French: Napoleon Bonaparte on a campaign to Egypt received a huge number of gifts, among which was the warmest and finest of the wool pashmina stole. He sent it to Josephine Beauharnais (his wife), who came from him in raptures. Later, she began to collect a collection of pashmin, as a result, their number exceeded 1000 pieces. Manufacturers were sent instructions about the design and color of shawls and stoles to match the current fashion.

Standards

Today, a shawl, stole and scarf, pashmina for which serves as raw material, have become a true must-have fashionable wardrobe. They are the last two hundred years mainly produced in the Kathmandu valley (in Nepal). They spin them manually. Pashmina - wool, which has the following base colors - white, brown and gray, while the dyeing technology makes it possible to give the fabric any pattern or color. Now the material is subjected to softening in the production, although it is possible to buy also soft, natural pashmina, which, however, is less cozy. The softening of the natural qualities of this elite thread does not worsen - it remains as warm and thin (almost ten times warmer than the sheep's wool!), While making the finished wool uniquely silky and smooth.

Often manufacturers make a material from a mixture of silk and wool (in different proportions - 80/20, 50/50). This pashmina is not considered a fake, although it should be noted that the more wool in the product, the higher its price. The fabric with the addition of silk has a light shine, is lighter, slightly warmer and slightly stretches.

Pashmina products have standard sizes: a scarf - 175 x 31 cm, a palant - 200 x 71 cm, a shawl - 200 x 92 cm. Ways of wearing such products are limited only by the imagination of their owner. By the way, men also appreciated this subject.

Cost

Pashmina, which serves as a scarf, stole or shawl, is available in a variety of variations in size and thickness. Its value can reach several thousand euros. The minimum price for a small shawl is about $ 35. Each accessory from the unique wool of pashmina is a truly wonderful gift!

Purchase pashmina

Large stores, well-known brands are interested in maintaining their reputation. They can not afford to trade with fakes, so it's best to buy pashmina wool from them. Cashmere in general is also better to buy there. Be careful with unknown small shops. If suddenly you decide to purchase such a thing in one of them, ask the seller where the material is made, and also ask to explain the difference between pashmina and cashmere. In case the seller in response to the first question will be called any state, except Mongolia, Nepal or India, it is most likely a counterfeit goods.

How to wear a pashmina

It is necessary to know how it is better to wear pashmina, and how to take care of it. This warm and incredibly pleasant to the touch shawl can be worn differently.

You can wear such a shawl by draping it on the back of your neck, while hanging a free end over your shoulder, fastening it with a thin belt at the waist. So you will get something like a bolero or a jacket.

The easiest way to wear such a product is to wrap your shoulders. Incredibly well looks elegant Pashmina, thrown over a cocktail dress.

If you prefer classic style in clothes, then the scarf from this wool can be worn so - put it around your neck, while one of the ends is thrown behind the back.

If your pashmina, which serves as a scarf, is long enough, you can try to tie it in front in the form of a large bow. This is a very quick way. So you can decorate an ordinary sweater or t-shirt.

The shawl can be wrapped around the neck several times. This method is more suitable for warm weather in cool weather. The ends of the shawls can be left hanging from behind.

Admirers of Hollywood old-fashioned glamor pashmina can be tied on the head, while the ends leaving hanging down to the shoulders.

It can be worn in the summer. For example, you can tie a shawl around the bust, thus replacing the top. This option will look especially original with a high waist skirt.

Care

When it comes to unique outfits, nothing compares to the richness of chic shawls made of pashmina wool. Palatine of this material is valued for its very warm and delicate fabric.

The presence of such a thing in the closet speaks about the good taste, wealth and luxury of a person. And since this shawl is incredibly expensive, it needs delicate care, which is not so complicated as it might initially seem. Basically, people prefer to give pashmina to dry cleaning, although at home you can put in order your favorite shawl.

Since pashmina is made from the finest and finest cashmere wool, it is necessary to understand that it can not simply be washed in foam water. It is advisable to wash it in shampoos, not powder. Add a little of it to the slightly warm water, then rinse the thing in it. Then you can dip it into the water with the conditioner for the hair, then rinse it in clean water.

Whitening fabric can spoil, the shawl will cease to be soft and soft to the touch. Also, do not wring out or squeeze the pashmina, as this can disrupt its shape, the thing will stretch, losing its original appearance.

Next, spread the shawl over the surface and leave to dry. Keep it away from direct sunlight and high temperatures. When you iron it, the iron should be slightly warm, while the shawl is better to iron from the wrong side and still wet.

How to store pashmina

You should know that a shawl made of such wool is very sensitive to moisture and sun. Therefore, it is better to store it in a cool and dry place. Before storing the pashmina, make sure that sunlight does not fall on it, and moisture does not penetrate. Gently fold it, and then put it in a tightly closed plastic bag or a dry linen bag.

Before removing the shawl for storage, it is advisable to clean it of all contaminants, in particular from the stains that have been left by the food. If the stains on the thing you leave, they can oxidize, entrenched on the fabric, and this will attract a mole to it. In order to moth your shawl is not damaged, in a package you can put special tablets from it or sawdust of cedar. Also, you can sprinkle a little favorite perfume on a piece of paper and put it in a bag next to the shawl.

A few tips

In case you like to wear pashmina, you need to know that she needs to give a little rest. So, 2-3 days of respite for her will be sufficient.

Do not wear a shawl with rough fabrics, leather or metal accessories. This all can harm the finest cashmere.

To buy a real pashmina and not to be mistaken, remember that pashmina is not only incredibly warm, but it is also a gentle and soft material. Touch it to the face - you should not feel any scratching or rubbing. Inspect carefully the seams. A real shawl must be woven by hand, since the finest wool is not sewn by machine knitting. You can moisten Pashmina with water. In case it retains its color and wet, it is actually a real shawl.