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What is ideal winter wear? A vintage ‘pashmina’ shawl made out of Cashmere goats may be an ideal answer. But a Cashmere baseball cap costs £415.00. So let’s tell the story of Cashmere goats first and later we’ll explore luxury winter brands who sell clothes and accessories made from Cashmere goats. How Cashmere Shawl is Made?
How Cashmere Shawl is Made?
Cashmere wool is the material made out of goat hair that can be found in certain parts of Asia, including Iran, Mongolia, India and China.
They can only be collected during the winter as that’s when the goats tend to grow a soft downy undercoat that helps protect them from the cold.
The goats will start growing their undercoats as soon as the temperatures drop, and as such you should keep a close eye on them to make sure that they don’t grow too much for their own good.
Usually though, you will be able to collect their undercoats as soon as spring comes around. Next up just comb them out and start turning the fabric into the fine yarn that is known as cashmere wool.
But what makes cashmere wool so much better than other fabrics? Well, to put it bluntly, it is simply put just the superior product as it is way softer and finer to the touch.
At the same time, cashmere wool is almost eight times warmer than the standard sheep’s wool, which already makes it a great alternative to that.
The fabric is known as Cashmere or Pashmina. Pashm is fibre in Farsi language. Best source of fibre was from Tibetan and Ladakhi Changthangi goats and the process of cleaning, spinning , and weaving into lustrous shawls was discovered in the 15th century and then it travelled across the world.
In India, Pashmina shawls gained popularity among royalty and aristocracy in the Indian subcontinent. The Mughal emperors, in particular, were known to appreciate and patronise the artistry of pashmina weavers.
Pashmina shawls became an integral part of cultural traditions, often gifted during weddings, special occasions, and religious ceremonies. The intricate patterns and fine craftsmanship made them symbols of luxury and prestige.
In the global fashion industry, Pashmina has a unique position with the market value of US$ 2,068.63 million in 2021.
How to Identify the Fake Cashmere Fabric with the Original?
Real pashminas are very soft and warm to touch, owing to the thickness of the hair. But they are also matte, which means they don’t have any sheen in them unless the fabric is blended with silk, in which case the label or some sort of certification should mention that. To be considered as high-quality pashmina, 70% of it should be made of cashmere. So in summary:
- By burning the fibre of your pashmina, you’ll know the quality of your pashmina. However, we don’t recommend you to do this unless you are prepared to do this at your own risk.
- It shouldn’t be dirt cheap. Remember, the pashmina goats are one of the rarest species that only live in the high altitude areas. You can only shade their fur once in a year and there is only a limited amount that you can shade unlike the artificial fibres which can be manufactured at any amount.
- You should be able to feel the softness and warmth. They should be light, soft and warm. Some pashmina that has silk blend will be a little bit shiny.
- Always check the label. It should clearly state the fibre content. It should either say 100% cashmere or 70% cashmere,30% silk.
