How to Wear a Pashmina

Women's Fashion Tips for Tying a Pashmina Scarf

Jan 27, 2009 Gill Hart

One of the most versatile accessories a woman can have in her wardrobe is the humble pashmina. This scarf can be worn in many different ways and is a timeless investment.

Not only will a pashmina keep you warm but can change the look of an outfit in a flash. Wear it around you neck, around your shoulders, over your head, or around your waist. Better still it will always be the perfect fit. No matter how much a woman’s weight fluctuates over the years, she is never too fat for her pashmina.

How to Wear a Pashmina

The original pashmina look is to wear it as a ladylike shawl, over a dress or top. However, it is much more versatile than that. How a pashmina is worn says a lot about the woman wearing it. According to Karen Homer in her book, Things a Woman Should Know about Style, (Prion 2003), “a pashmina knotted at the neck says city trader, a pashmina untidily wound round over a denim jacket says wannabe model.” Over the last few years pashminas have become increasingly popular, with women's fashion experts coming up with never-ending new ways of wearing one to keep the look fresh and modern.

According to Pashmina International there are five basic ways of wearing and tying a pashmina. This includes a Hollywood look where Hollywood celebrities and style icons like Linday Lohan, have created a defined look by using two different pashminas of varying colors, intertwined.

Here are some of the most popular ways to wear a pashmina:

The Noose-style Scarf

This is one of the trendiest ways to wear a pashmina. The noose-style scarf can be worn over a dress or top and also looks great over a winter coat. Fold the pashmina in half along its length, with the folded edge facing you, then fold it again, but this time, at its width. Drape it around your neck with the folded side on the left and the open side on the right. Pull the open end through the loop made by the folded side, and you have the noose.

The Pashmina Shawl

The simplest and most practical when it comes to keeping you warm and fashionable. Wrap it full-length, around the shoulders. It is so much more versatile than a coat or jacket. For a nursing mother who needs to breast-feed in a public area, a pashmina shawl can prove invaluable.

The Stole

Wear it as an evening stole, draped loosely over the upper arms and then let the ends hang down from the underarm.

The Neck Scarf

Fold the pashmina in half at its length and drape it around you neck. Let hang loose or make a knot, as you would a silk scarf. Alternatively, drape the end back around you neck and bring back to the front. For something a little more chic, give it a French twist by wrapping the hanging ends loosely around each other once and then looping them over each other again. Bring both ends to the back of the neck and tie. Keep the twist loose for extra style points.

The Belt or Sarong

Brighten up a plain dress by wearing a pashmina around your waist, sarong-style. Alternatively fold it at its length and tie it pirate style as a loose belt.

The Head Scarf

For something a little more exotic, try a Far Eastern/Middle Eastern look that Grace Kelly perfected so well, with her distinguished white pashmina. The epitome or elegance and femininity, place the pashmina over your head, covering your hair. With the folded edge facing you and, holding tight onto both ends, pull both under the chin. Cross the sides over one another and bring the ends around to the nape of the neck. Then fold the ends in a neat knot, either at the side of the throat or in front.

How to Care for a Pashmina

According to author Karen Homer, “resist the temptation to have your pashmina dry cleaned as the knots at the end have a tendency to unravel.” Hand washing in a mild wool detergent and in cool/lukewarm water, as with any cashmere, will do the job.

To get rid of excess water roll the wet pashmina in a towel. Then lie the pashmina flat to minimize creases. Allow it to airdry to return to its original shape. When dry, a very soft brush can be used to give the fabric a soft texture again.

The Versatile Pashmina

A pashmina scarf is not only extremely versatile but is a good investment, if cared for properly. It is a timeless fashion accessory and also makes a pefect gift. Pashminas that are made with cashmere but are also lined with silk are the longest lasting.

The copyright of the article How to Wear a Pashmina in Shoes & Accessories is owned by Gill Hart. Permission to republish How to Wear a Pashmina in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Wear a Pashmina in a Noose Style

Wear a Pashmina as a Head Scarf

Pashmina Scarves are a Good Investment