| After being in the pashmina and cashmere | | | | accessory. |
| business for over six years now, one of the | | | | At my company, The Pashmina Store, located at |
| most commonly asked questions by our | | | | we offer our pure pashmina items in 2 ply and 3 |
| customers is whether they should order a pure | | | | ply. The greater the ply, the thicker and warmer |
| pashmina accessory or a pashmina/silk blend. It is | | | | the item will be. Since many pashmina/silk blends |
| a truly personal decision, but there are a few | | | | are produced in 2 ply, a 3 ply pure pashmina can |
| distinctions to consider. | | | | offer a significant difference in warmth. But since |
| The first and most obvious distinction is the | | | | cashmere is a light fiber, even a 3 ply item is light |
| lustrous silky sheen of a pashmina/silk blend | | | | in weight. |
| shawl, wrap or scarf. The sheen is caused not | | | | The possible difference in the weave is another |
| only by the addition of the silk (most often 30%), | | | | variable to consider. As I pointed out above, a |
| but also by the tighter weave commonly used for | | | | pashmina/silk blend item is usually produced using |
| the blended items. The sheen is considered | | | | a tighter weave that enhances the sheen and |
| desirable for some occasions, such as weddings | | | | creates a smooth texture. A pure pashmina |
| or formal events, where the dresses often are | | | | accessory is generally produced with a looser, |
| made of materials that also have sheen, such as | | | | more textured weave to help prevent pilling and |
| silk or satin. Although you do not have to match | | | | shedding of the wool. It also makes the item a |
| the sheen of the dress to the pashmina, it is | | | | little bit "fluffier" and helps give it that luxurious |
| common practice. | | | | hand feel that only cashmere provides. |
| Another difference is the warmth of the item. In | | | | For many years, the term "pashmina" typically |
| general, a 100% pure pashmina item is going to | | | | was considered by consumers to be a pashmina |
| be warmer than a pashmina/silk blend. Pashmina | | | | silk blend, but pure pashminas are just as popular. |
| wool, a type of fine cashmere, is both warm and | | | | It is not uncommon for fashionable pashmina |
| light, so the additional content creates additional | | | | wearers to have a selection of both types to suit |
| warmth. How much of a difference in warmth | | | | their needs at any given time based on their |
| depends on the percentage of silk content, which | | | | particular mood, outfit or the occasion. In the end, |
| can vary but should be clearly marked on the | | | | you cannot go wrong with either. |