Summer Pashmina

Can you really wear a summer pashmina? The answer is a resounding yes. But then, many are actually apprehensive to do it. Perhaps the main reason is how we are conditioned to believe that anything that’s made of wool is best worn during Australian autumn, spring and winter, when the temperature gets quite cold—or very cold. Besides, when we think of wool or cashmere, which pashmina is, we immediately think about thick layers of fabric. Now imagine wearing one during the summer— to say that you’ll sweat profoundly sounds like an understatement. Yet summer pashmina works, and this article will show you how and why.

Thinking of Pashmina for summer?

Pashmina is a kind of cashmere, since the material is derived from the wool of specific goats that grow around the Himalayan regions (or Kashmir, hence the name). They are very fine, light, and luxurious, especially when they’re already woven—by hand. Pashmina, in particular, doesn’t grow at any time. The only period that they can be harvested is in spring, and usually, farmers need at least three of these goats to create one pashmina shawl. That’s why the real 100% pashmina doesn’t come by often. Moreover, before they are woven, they are first dyed, which is another intricate process. A weaver takes around 7 days or even more to create a single product.

Pashmina during the Summer

There’s no doubt that you can feel the essence of pashmina during autumn, spring and winter. It’s as if someone is wrapping his arms around you all the time. It’s warm but not the typical uncomfortable warmth you want to take it off as soon as you get home—it’s the cozy, fuzzy kind of warm, the same intimate feeling you get when you snuggle or cuddle with someone. However, one of the biggest misconceptions is that pashmina can only be worn during this season. That’s not true at all. In fact, this material is just as flexible as the other types. For one, pashmina doesn’t absorb sweat like cottons do; rather, it allows it to evaporate so you actually feel very cool, and you don’t need to wear something that smells later on.  There are many different types of pashmina that you can choose from (and you’ll learn which ones are best for summer later) as well.

4 Tips in Choosing Summer Pashmina

1. Get a one-ply summer pashmina. Pashmina shawls may be woven in one ply, two ply, or three ply. This simply indicates the number of layers of threads used. The basic rule is that the more number of ply the fabric has, the thicker it is. In the same manner, one-ply is considered the thinnest, making it perfect for the summer weather.
2. Look for a pashmina/silk blend. A summer pashmina mixed with silk is a great choice to beat the heat. Silk is a breathable material and natural. Moreover, it adds more sheen into the material, so the pashmina looks even more gorgeous.You’d know the blend by checking its tag or reading its description. It’s normally indicated in percentage, like 70% pashmina, 30% silk, which is the advisable combination of these two materials.As a bonus, by adding silk into the pashmina, the material becomes even stronger, so your shawl or scarf lasts longer.
3. Choose lighter shades. It’s very rare to find very white pashmina because of the manner of dyeing, but you have plenty of options for light hues such as off white or beige. Lighter colors reflect light so you don’t feel hot inside.
4. Go for a pashmina scarf. Scarves are the raves during summer, and you can create as many styles as you can with your summer pashmina.
5. Go to YouTube to see some tutorials.