Detailed Guide to Pashmina: All You Must Know About This Luxurious Fabric

Winter is almost here and so is the wedding season. In the chilly weather, it gets difficult to wear our favourite attire and keep the fashion quotient up. But guess what? With the right fabric, you can steal the events by donning glamorous looks while staying warm and cosy. 

If you are in search of the best winter collection for women online, then we at House Of Chikankari have you covered with our wide range of woollen kurtis, Pashmina Kurtis and so much more. 

Talking about Pashmina, it is a fabric that comes right from heaven on earth and is known for exuding opulence.

Read the blog till the end to know Pashmina meaning and how to pick the right Pashmina among many varieties.

What Is Pashmina: Meaning & History

The word Pashmina has a Persian origin and is translated as 'made of wool.' If you dig into the local dictionary of Kashmir, it translates to 'soft gold.' The metaphor indicates that it is the premium amongst the rest of the fabrics because of its smoothness.

Also known as Cashmere, Pashmina is a luxurious fabric made from Kashmir's softest and finest grade fabric. It is derived explicitly from the underbelly of the mountain goats of the Himalayas. 

Kashmiri Pashmina has been widely used for centuries. You can trace its origin back to the 3rd century B.C. The wool received high praise during the Mughal reign, and the shawls made out of Pashmina are considered royal and prestigious even today. 

Famous Pashmina Motifs

Pashmina has always accommodated the change in trend and lifestyle so easily. Some of the popular Pashmina motifs are that adds grace and beauty to this art are:

• Buta 

Buta is a combination of two or more flower designs. The differentiation between buta and buti is that the flowers here are more significant than the ones in buti.  

• Buti

Buti is the primary design used in Pashmina garments, which consists of a single flower. This pattern is seen throughout the surface of your Pashmina kurtis at regular intervals.  

• Khat-Rast

Khat-rast is a single-stripped design following the entire length of your Pashmina dress. Sometimes, you will find it perfectly blended with buti in its stripes  

• Badam/ Ambi/ Kairi

This design resembles an almond, showing a pointed inverted extension at its top. This is one of the most dominant motifs employed in making Pashmina dresses. 

• Lahariya

This is a wavy pattern resembling the waves of a free-flowing water source. The pattern resembles zig-zag waves. 

• Shikargah

Shikargah, as the name suggests, depicts a design that resembles jungle scenes. These were highly praised during Mughal reigns as jungle adventure was one of their key pastime activities.  

• Zanjeer

Zanjeer motif resembles a chain enclosing other motifs such as Buta or Paisley. The borders here are horizontal with embedded Paisleys and flowers.  

• Hashiya

This design reflects a vertically woven border. The four corners where the two verticals meet reflect a large single motif.  

• Cypress

The Cypress motif reflects a root structure of a single stem bearing multitudes of leaves and emerging flowers.

• Bouquets

As the name suggests, Bouquets represent a flower bouquet with the bigger one in the centre and the smaller one in its circumference. 

Famous Weaves Of Pashmina

Pashmina clothing is famous for its fine weaving patterns. Hand-spinning this delicate fabric is usually accomplished by women artisans, and the weaves never fail to fascinate their buyers. 

Twill 

This is amongst the most popular weaves of Pashmina suits. You can easily recognise these weaves by their typical diagonal and parallel ribs. Locally, it is often favoured as a plain weave. 

Diamond 

Resembling the actual diamond pattern, these diamond weaves find their place in beautiful Pashmina kurtis. They leave an aesthetic sheen to soothe the eyes of the observer. As they resemble diamond shapes, they are also popular as Chashme Bulbul. 

Kani 

Kani weaving finds its application in Pashmina shawls and represents one of the sophisticated weaving styles. Its origin can be traced back to 3000 BC when it was recognised for its endearing design, hue and feather softness. 

Herringbone

Herringbone, or the Broken Twill type of weave, is distinct from others in its V-shaped pattern. These are popular picks for the Pashmina kurti, which resembles a broken zigzag or fishbone pattern. The pattern is known as it resembles the skeleton of a herring fish. 

At House of Chikankari, we bring for you a wide range of chikankari clothing along with traditional handicrafts like Pashmina. You can shop for a wide range of vibrant and elegant short kurti for women and chikankari kurta sets from our collection and grace every occasion.  

Reasons Behind the Popularity Of Pashmina

Pashmina is popular for several reasons, including its cloud-soft touch, the versatility of weaving patterns and motifs, and craftsmanship excellence. Here, we are jotting down the few best ones - 

Making Process 

To make Pashmina, you first need to collect the hair of the Himalayan mountain goat. This is then sorted to obtain raw Cashmere. Finally, it is spun, woven, and created into fine-tuned clothes such as Pashmina Kurtis, Kurta Sets, Shawls and more.

Softness

Pashmina are famous for their soft texture. Thanks to its Cashmere wool fibres, which are much thinner than human hairs. They are woven into lightweight fabrics that offer you a cloud touch. 

Eco-friendly Nature

The fibres for the Kashmiri Pashmina are derived from the Himalayan goat and represent a perfect blend of sustainable and eco-friendly fashion. Making Pashmina attire is entirely hand-driven, including spinning and weaving, with little to no environmental impact. 

A Symbol Of Rich Heritage

The Kashmiri Pashmina accounts for a rich significance in the Kashmiri culture. It is also one of the most important income sources for artisans and farmers who have been indulged in the profession for generations. Due to their rich cultural heritage, they are often gifted as a symbol of great status and luxury on special occasions. 

How To Identify Real Pashmina

Pashmina has specific defined characteristics that make it stand out in the market. We are jotting down a quick sneak peek into a few of its characteristics. 

Check Price

Original Pashmina are priced higher. Check for the price and the factors listed below to ensure you purchase a genuine one. 

Check Weaving Method

A genuine Kashmiri Pashmina is often a weaving one. A 100% Pashmina cloth will show certain irregularities as they are completely handmade. 

Check Material

Pashmina fibres are soft and hypoallergenic, which does not cause allergic reactions. So, while purchasing the Pashmina, ensure it feels smooth and supple on your skin and does not itch. 

Care Tips For Pashmina Kurtis Or Kurta Sets

For a long-lasting experience, here are some essential care tips for your Pashmina kurtis or kurta sets:

Gentle Wash 

Prefer a mild washing shampoo to wash your Pashmina clothes. Harsh cleaners can quickly degrade the quality of your Pashmina fabrics. 

Rinse Thoroughly 

Make sure to use cold water to rinse your Pashmina clothes. Avoid rubbing them harshly. 

Store Them Safely 

Always store them in cool and dry places, away from dirt and dust. 

Avoid Friction with Other Clothes 

Avoid keeping your Pashmina Kurtis close to the abrasive clothing. This protects them from pilling. 

Conclusion

Pashmina is the finest find of Kashmir with a unique allure. Crafted from the lightest wool, it is a must-have fabric in your wardrobe. To have a timeless piece of clothing curated using Pashmina, do not forget to scroll through the Pashmina collection by The House of Chikankari. From printed co-ord sets to sophisticated long kurtas, you are in for a fashionable treat. Beyond the Pashmina collection, you also have our classic chikankari kurtis to stun this winter and wedding season.  

Frequently Asked Questions 

Is Pashmina another name for Toosh or Shahtoosh?

No, Pashmina is not another name for Toosh or Shahtoosh. They are a variety of wool derived from chiru. 

Why Is Pashmina So Expensive?

The wool that goes into making Pashmina is rare as it is derived from a specific type of Himalayan goat, the craftsmanship excellence, and its high market demand. 

Is Pashmina A Luxury Item?

Yes, Pashmina is luxurious because of its rarity, craftsmanship, rich cultural heritage, softness, insulation, and timeless investment.