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