Category: FASHION ACCESSORIES
Country: India
Region: Asia
By TOI.com
Last updated 1st January, 2024, 14:37 IST
01/6: Owning a Pashmina
Wearing a Pashmina is a dream come true moment as it sings for the patrons of art. Pashmina is an art form that transforms lumps of raw wool into a luxury shawl or scarf. It is manually processed and embellished, with the resulting product standing out to be the epitome of sophistication and class. It was the 18th century when Pashmina scarves became popular around the world. It became a statement for rage, noblemen, and royals. However, with the increasing popularity, there came a time when people started to do unfair deals with the creation of fake Pashmina shawls. Let’s check out 5 ways to differentiate between a real and a fake Pashmina scarf.
02/6: The appearance test
The fringe of a scarf which is made from Cashmere should carry a matte finish and should also become powder upon crushing if one burns the scarf. Original Pashmina will not give a shiny resemblance and will instantly collapse into a powdery form which will tell that it is totally fake. After a wash also you will notice the changes in the appearance of the shawl as it’ll lose the matt finish and will look faded.
03/6: The burn test
The burn test is the most commonly done test when it comes to testing the originality of a Cashmere shawl. To test your Pashmina with the burn test, simply burn a fringe of your shawl. If it gives the same odor as burnt hair, there are super high chance that it is a real Pashmina shawl. Cashmere is a natural fiber which comes from the fur coat of Cashmere sheep. Therefore, it would smell the same when burnt.
04/6: The shine test
Pashmina shawls always give a matte and sultry finish. A pure and original Pashmina scarf won’t give a shimmery or glittery appearance unless there is silk or nylon added to the fabric. Pure Pashmina shawls carry a matte finish just like all-natural fibre-made scarves. Simply take your shawl under the sun or light, and notice if it is shining and reflecting light, if yes then understand that you have been cheated.
05/6: The weave test
Many people ignore this, however, always notice that your Pashmina shawl will have an uneven weave when you see it under the clear sunlight. If your shawl has an uneven weave then it is pure and a real Pashmina. A real Pashmina is hand-woven and definitely will carry an irregular weave as it is made with the patience and skill of a human and not with the tidiness of a clothing machine. Therefore, always carefully notice the weaving of your Pashmina shawl and then purchase it.
06/6: Rubbing and piling test
Always while purchasing rub the corner of your scarf against itself. If it produces a tiny spark, then there is a high chance of it being a fake. As nylon and synthetic products produce static electricity, natural scarfs don’t do that. Thus, a Pashmina scarf would never produce a spark. Another sign to know is if your scarf is pilling. As Pashmina comes from animal fiber, it would grow tiny balls all over the surface. One can also remove them easily.
Courtesy: TOI.IT.com
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