Royal Bhaktapur

So why have so many people been snatching up Pashminas lately and going “ohhhh” and “ahhh” over this exotic scarf? Why do so many people venturing off to Asia come back to the West laden with these mysterious “Pashmina” shawls? What exactly are they even? A soft scarf? A colorful wrap? Perhaps even a blanket? You may be scratching your head trying to figure what exactly this gigantic piece of soft woolen material really is.
Well, if you find yourself perplexed and pondering over any of these questions, then breathe a sigh of relief my friend, for in the following paragraphs all secrets of the mysterious Pashmina will be revealed!

WHERE IN THE WORLD...?
The name Pashmina comes from Pashmineh, made from Persian pashm ("wool"). Pashmina (Cashmere) wool comes from the soft under fur of Changthangi, or Pashmina goats, which are a special breed of goat indigenous to high Himalayan altitudes.

AND A PASHMINA IS...
An actual “Pashmina” is any textile made from either pure Cashmere wool, or a mix of Cashmere wool with other fibers such as silk or viscose. Pashminas come in all mixes and sizes, ranging from small scarves to blanket sized wraps. Pashminas are often mixed with other materials that reinforce the delicate wool fibers, such as silk, bamboo or other stronger threads. To be considered good quality, Pashmina shawls need to contain at least 70% Cashmere wool. Yet in the market, you’ll often see Pashminas for cheaper that contain only 50% wool.

WHICH PASHMINA IS PERFECT FOR ME?
Now, with all the above information you probably find yourself a little befuddled by all the variety that’s apparently out there when it comes to Pashmina shawls. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you embark on a quest to find the perfect Pashmina.

IMPORTANT THINGS TO REMEMBER WHEN LOOKING FOR A PASHMINA.

• Whether the wool is Cashmere vs silk or other cheap wools.
• Don't let popularity fool you. Cashmere is always better quality than silk.
• A pure Cashmere Pashmina shawl weighs about 5 ounces. A same size Silk Blended Pashmina shawl 70/30 weights about 11 ounces;
• Labels that verify the legitimacy of the manufacturer.
• Look for product certificates that show a company's reputability. Royal Bhaktapur's merchandise will always arrive with an informative certificate.
• Always beware for viciously deceptive “Viscose” Pashminas that have no semblance of relation to a real Pashmina whatsoever aside from the fact that they’re both pieces of fabric. Viscose is a man-made material that some people try to market as a “Real Viscose Pashmina”, but as stated previously, the only relation this synthetic product has to a real Pashmina is that it’s a piece of cloth.

WHY CHOOSE A PASHMINA?

• Significantly higher quality than any other scarf, stole or wrap you can buy.
• Pashminas have incredible insulation, making them practical and warm for all seasons. Their insulated properties also work well against summer moisture and humidity.
• It's lightweight, with a large (2.9 by 6.7 feet) 100% Cashmere shawl weighing only 5.6 ounces!
• You have a fantastic array of choices, with a plethora of patterns (floral, animal prints, burberry, traditional) and compositions (100% Cashmere, Silk Blended and Bamboo Blended).
• What other shawl do you know that can fashionably complement anything from casual sweaters to formal gowns?
• There's an almost 100% guarantee you'll fall in love with a Pashmina as soon as you feel it's soft and warm qualities.