Hi Everyone,
In an era dominated by loud logos and high-profile brands there is now a subtle but profound movement emerging – that of quiet luxury. This trend is all about shifting our focus from ostentatious displays of wealth to an appreciation of craftsmanship and quality.
Today’s true “Material Girl” as Madonna likes to call her is no longer fixated on the traditional luxury brands. Instead she is investing in meaningful timeless pieces that help preserve the rich heritage of artisan workmanship. After all the future of handmade lies in our very own hands!
When it comes to luxury fashion, few items embrace the essence of quiet luxury as gracefully as the Pashmina. A real Pashmina shawl is crafted from the fine cashmere wool of the Pashmina goat, scientifically known as Capra Hircus. It is super light yet warm and an amazing piece to have with you wherever you go. Great for nights out, staying cosy at home, to have whilst travelling or even to wrap up in after a day at the beach. A real Pashmina is also a piece that is to be handed down through generations.
Keep reading for more about “Quiet Luxury – How to Recognise a Real Pashmina”
Quiet Luxury – How to Recognise a Real Pashmina
The minute I laid my hands on the Pashmina shown above I fell in love with its softness & luxury feeling. Borrowed for the photo shoot – this ZAREE Lila Silver Pashmina is available online here.
The intricate hand-weaving process of Pashminas has been preserved for generations and ensures each piece is unique and carries a rich cultural heritage.
These exquisite creations not only sustain the livelihoods of artisans and herders in the Himalayan regions as well as India, Nepal, and Tibet. Unfortunately though the term Pashmina is not protected. Therefore there are many fake Pashminas on the market.
How to recognise a real Pashmina
Irregular Weave – genuine Pashmina shawls have an uneven, hand-woven texture. When you hold it up against the light you should see an irregular pattern unlike the uniform weave of machine-made fabrics.
Softeness and Smoothness – a real Pashmina will always be super soft, smooth and light. Anything remotely scratchy will not be the real thing!
Burn Test – take a small thread from the fringe and burn it. A real Pashmina will smell like burnt hair and turn into ash.
Fringes – a real pashmina will never be finished with a braided fringe, as the fibre is too fine for this. Instead it will have open edge fringes from the loom.
Label and Stitching – a genuine Pashmina will have a carefully hand-stitched label or sign on it. Glues labels are a definite red flag.
Conclusion:
Investing in a real Pashmina is not just about owning a luxury accessory. It’s about preserving the art of traditional craftsmanship and supporting the artisans who create these beautiful pieces.
The complexity of the process, the small volume of material and the distance of the places of origin make the cost of this special, ancient natural fibre high.
By choosing Pashmina, you embrace the true spirit of quiet luxury.
My recommendation is to get your Pashmina from Bombay Birds which have a beautiful collection exclusively sourced from Kashmir.
They also make for great Christmas gifts.
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Thanks for the tips on how to detect a real versus fake pashmina. The ones by Bombay Birds look so lovely and luxurious!
Thank you dear, they really are xxx