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What size should you get?
Many of our customers are
nervous about the huge dimensions of the full-size pashmina shawl,
and suspect that they should be ordering a medium size. This
strikes us as something of a non-sequitur.
The full-size shawl is 95 by
203 cm (36" x 80"). The medium is 70 x 203 cm (28" x 80"). Both
medium and fullsize are exactly the same length! The only
difference is that the medium is about 26% narrower than the
fullsize.
But the width should not be
the intimidating dimension. The shawl is virtually always folded or
scrunched so that you don't deal with the full width -- except when
you really need it ... for instance, as an airplane blanket.
As for the length, the
fullsize might be a bit much for a child, but keep in mind that the
standard dimensions are those traditionally favored by Asian women,
who (until recently) were quite a bit shorter on average than
Western women.
The key to dealing with the
size of the shawl is learning how to wear the thing. If you find
you're dragging it through puddles, you probably need to study some
of the clips on this page.
What about weight?
Many Western retailers make
a big deal about how many plies their shawls are. Some, like the
Pashmina Store, advertise two- and three-ply 100% pashmina shawls.
Others claim 6-ply!
The whole thing is
ridiculous. First of all, you don't have to use multiple-twisted
thread to get a heavier fabric. You just get a heavier yarn. These
days, true multiple ply pashmina turns up mainly in knitted
garments.
Why? Because shawls are
supposed to be LIGHT! That's why there's all that hype about "ring
shawls" -- meaning fullsize shawls that can pass through a woman's
ring. Pashmina is so warm that you don't need something the weight
of a horse blanket to keep you cosy.
Here's Rihanna at the
Capital FM Summertime Ball. We're not going to recommend the
apres-bain style, but we can get you a charcoal-gray fullsize 70%
pashmina/30% silk shawl just like hers for $95.
Sure, a new drape will spiff up your look.
But consider the other possibilities: a rainbow of colors, delicate
hand-stitched embroidery, scintillating beading, elegant jacquards,
mind-bending color-blended ombre.
How to Tie your scarf (or shawl): A Peppy
Preppy Tutorial from Coldwater
But who needs her? Here's a link to
our favorite pashmina style video: Very
Pashmina has a new YouTube channel. Check it out!
Gallery of Basic Pashmina Styles
To see larger photos of the same product, click on the
photo.
Rock the Casbah!
A clear, simple style for using a full or medium size pashmina
as a hijab
And another tutorial (in Arabic), for a somewhat more elaborate
hijab wrap
Look like you live on Wisteria Lane!
Here's a video by Cate Adair, Emmy-nominated costume designer for
Desperate Housewives. Pay attention to Adair's deft
fingerwork: those little flups and folds can make the difference
between a glumpy look and the unstudied chic je-ne-sais-quoi
that you crave.
Love your pashmina shawl?
You'll be crazy about a Pashmina Poncho!
See our Poncho
page for more information and photographs.
NEW!
PASHMINA
PONCHO
(71 x 71 cm; 28 x 28");
machine knit, 28/2-count yarn.
Plush, toasty, cumfy.
100% pashmina regular size poncho: $138
.
70% pashmina/30% silk regular size poncho: $128
.
In the pashmina pasal [shop]
This guy is not the most glamorous model, but the shopkeeper who
is draping him knows what he is doing. Worth a look.
A couple more...
If you can get past the tilted background...
Here's the Travelista lady, with a sensible litany of
applications.
Some slightly unusual styles -- not for grandma.
Okay, okay ... here's Oprah!
The following material is cribbed from Oprah's interview with
Charla Krupp of Glamour Magazine. Charla recommends the five styles
shown below.
Note: the two-tone effect of the Hollywood style
illustrated below can also be achieved with a single long-to-long ombre. Very chic. Less bulky.
Not too expensive, either -- only $7.50 more than a regular solid
color shawl ... and a lot less than two separate shawls.
The Pashmina Stole Charla says this look is replacing
mother's mink stole. It's terrific for evening, particularly with
the higher-end, beaded pashmina shawls.
Belt Style or Sarong "For people with no hips," Oprah
says. Just wrap around you waist, drape attractively and go.
Hollywood Style If one pashmina shawl is great, two must
be twice as good.
Full Shawl Wrap Simple, elegant, warm. Perfect for work,
shopping or fun!
The Noose Wrap This stylish look is easy to create — once
you know how.
Step #1 Fold your pashmina shawl in half along its
length, making sure the folded edge is at the top or facing
you.
Step #2 Fold the pashmina shawl in half again, this time
along its width. You should have an end that's folded and an end
that's open.
Step #3 Place the folded shawl behind your head. Pull
the open end through the loop at the folded end. Voila! You're
suddenly chic!
A user named Sabah posted some
unillustrated suggestions on e-How.com:
Wear the pashimna as a sash. You can wrap the pashmina across
your body diagonally and tie it at the side to create a sash. This
is an elegant touch for the evening and works especially well with
a dress or skirt.
Wear a pashmina over the head as a headscarf. This is a classic
look from the Far East, and you can wear it in this way on a windy
day to keep your hair in place. Wrap it around your head and tie it
in front to secure it.
Wear the pashmina as a classic scarf. Wear the pashmina around
your neck with one end over your shoulder. This adds a touch of
color to your neckline, and one side can be left hanging down.
Tie your pashmina into a parisian knot. This classic look is
very easy to create with a pashmina scarf; just tie the scarf in
front of you and let the end hang down. This is a casual look that
works well for day or night.
Wear the pashmina as a knotted shawl. Instead of wearing the
scarf as a classic shawl, wrap it around your shoulders and tie it
in front. This is an elegant variation of a simple look and adds a
feminine touch to your outfit.
Double up your pashmina with a secondary color. Create a
two-toned effect by twisting two pashmina scarves together. This
works especially well for evenings when you want to add some drama
to your look.
Wear your pashmina as a simple neckscarf. Let the ends of the
pashimna hang behind you and leave the scarf tied around your neck
for a simple but elegant look.
Create a ladylike shawl out of the pashmina. This is the
'original' pashmina look that has been worn for decades. Wear the
pashmina as a shawl to accent a sleeveless dress or top for the
evening.
Wear the pashmina as a belt. You can wear the pashmina around
your waist and let one side hang down; it's a modern twist that
makes a great accent to a simple outfit.
On the same e-How Website (different
page), Valery posted her
recommendations:
Wear it as a scarf wrapped around your neck, with your coat or
jacket. Real pashminas are very warm and feel luxurious against the
skin, so they make perfect scarves to keep you warm.
Use it to complement an outfit. A pashmina is a perfect
accessory and comes in many different colors, so use a pashmina to
complement your favorite suit or dress.
Use a pashmina as a shawl for that special evening. If you have
a special dinner date, a pashmina looks great draped over your
dress as a shawl.
Bring it to the beach. A pashmina looks wonderful with a
swimsuit or bikini so tie it around your waist when you come out of
the water to look truly fashionable.
And... z third
from e-How. This set was posted by Jennifer
G.
Wear it as a shawl. The most common use for a pashmina is to
wear it as a shawl. If you’re cold or just merely want to cover up
a little bit, the pashmina is perfect. Wrap it around your
shoulders and secure it by either tying it in the front or allowing
it to drape down.
Use it as a scarf. Fold your pashmina up horizontally in the
shape of a scarf. Tie it around your neck and allow it to dangle
down.
Use it on your wedding day. Many brides and bridesmaids are
using pashminas as an extra accessory for their wedding day gowns.
Usually, the pashmina will be draped over the bride’s or
bridesmaids’ shoulder(s).
Use it as a sarong. If you’re out at the pool or just lounging
around the house, you can use a pashmina as a sarong. Tie it around
your waist so that it hangs off of your hips. It will resemble a
half skirt. You can alter your pashmina sarong to expose as little
or as much as you want to.
Wear it as a tube top. A pashmina can double over as a tube top
on those warm summer days. Fold your pashmina in half horizontally.
Depending on how large your pashmina is, you might have to fold it
again or fold it into thirds. Wrap it around your chest and secure
it by tying it in the back.
Wear it as a belt. This looks great over a form-fitting tank
top or lengthy blouse. Fold your pashmina in half or in thirds. How
you fold it depends on how big you want your belt to look. Secure
your pashmina by tying it on the side of your hips.
Finally... here are 12 more suggestions from Yahoo! Answers:
1. Wrap around your shoulders and tie in a big knot at the
front.
2. Wrap around your shoulders and throw both ends behind you.
3. Wrap around your shoulders and throw one end over a
shoulder.
4. Wrap around your shoulders, throw one end over a shoulder and
pin at the front with a big brooch.
5. Lay it over your head and throw the ends over your
shoulders.
6. Wrap around your neck like a huge scarf.
7. Double it up wrap around your neck and pull through the loop,
another big scarf look (that won't unravel).
8. Wear it over your shoulders and tie it behind your back.
9. Wear over one shoulder and pin with a brooch under your oppositr
arm. this creates a nice asymmetric look.
10. Wrap around your middle like a big belt.
11. Fold into a big triangle and tie around your waist.
12. Tie around the handles of a big handbag.
Sunrise Pashmina Internet distribution office:
511 W. Green St., Ithaca, NY 14850 USA
Call us at (607) 256-0102. Night or day.
If we can't answer immediately, we'll get back to you. Soon.
Or email us at info@sunrise-pashmina.com