What Is Pashmina Wool?

Pashmina is a type of cashmere that has a combination of admirable qualities--it's lightweight, soft and warm--and designers have used it to make beautiful accessories, often in vivid colors. People in the West have finally discovered why Pashmina has been prized in India for thousands of years for its aesthetically beautiful, as well as practical, features.

Pashmina Fibers

Pashmina fibers come from the undercoat of capra hircus goats. One goat produces only about 4 - 8 ounces of the fiber per year. Workers gather the fibers by combing the goats or by collecting the fibers from the ground and from bushes. Pashmina originally came only from goats in the Kashmir region of India.

Popularity

Pashmina became very popular in the West in the late 1990s. Hollywood stars and real princesses wore the shawls. High-end designers such as Issey Miyake and Armani included Pashmina scarves in their collections. In the early 2000s, the fad died out, but was revived when Burberry brought out a Pashmina wrap in summer 2008.

Controversy

Some people claim that Pashmina is a higher quality material than other cashmere. Other people say that it has been over-hyped. Adding to the confusion, some merchants sell items they claim are made of Pashmina, but are really made from other materials.

Advantages of Pashmina

Pashmina shawls are both soft and warm. They can be dyed in a dazzling array of colors. In Kashmir, a Pashmina shawl may be a heirloom that is passed down in a family for generations. In the West, the association of Pashmina with movie stars and famous designers adds an aura of glamour.

Current styles

The most popular current styles include single-color, two-color, and multicolored shawls. Scarves and wraps are also common. All are available in pure Pashmina or in Pashmina-silk blends.