Check these out! Pashmina Shawls and Pashmina Scarves in Checks for AW16 Part 1

Tartans are the classic way to wear a check scarf and they are immensely versatile as you can choose between a discreet colourway or one which is brighter but blends several colours, making it easier to wear with various outfits.
The tartans at Pashminas Direct and Mayfair Valley Pashmina are authentic weaves made of 70% pashmina cashmere and 30% silk, so that you have the luxury and enduring wearability that you expect from a pashmina.
                                                                   SINCLAIR SCARF

                                                               BLACKWATCH SCARF

                                                                       GUNN SCARF

70% Pashmina Cashmere and 30% Silk Scarf - Tartan Size : (30 x 150cm) (12 x 60 inches)  
Ref PD016ST Price £24.50
Tartans: Blackwatch, Gunn or Sinclair
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=112

Being a pashmina addict, I've had the Sinclair and Blackwatch scarves for several years and find them really useful with a denim jacket in Autumn and as Winter turns to Spring. They're a neat size when you don't need much scarf and the broken colour of the check is flattering round the face, even with strong colours that would be difficult to wear as a block.

My shawl size is the Dress Gordon tartan. With its white base and blend of Royal Blue, Green and highlights of yellow, it is bright but still discreet and goes perfectly with a navy mac.

http://www.mayfair-valley.co.uk/

www.pashminasdirect.co.uk
                                                      TARTAN SHAWLS 70 x 180cms

Clockwise from top left: Pride of Scotland, Sinclair (Red), Dress Gordon, Gunn, Lindsay, Ancient Buchanan (Oranges)
70% Pashmina Cashmere and 30% Silk Shawl Tartan
               
Size : (70 x 180cm) (28 x 72 inches)
 Ref PD016LT Price £59.30
Tartans: Ancient Buchanan, Dress Gordon, Sinclair, Lindsay, Pride Of Scotland, Gunn
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=119




                                    If you want more wrap, go for the Large Shawl size!

                                    LINDSAY TARTAN LARGE SHAWL 90 x 200cms

70% Pashmina Cashmere and 30% Silk Large Shawl - Tartan
Size : (90 x 200cm) (35 x 80 inches)
Ref PD016XLT Price £75.00
 Tartans: Ancient Buchanan, Blackwatch, Dress Gordon, Sinclair, Lindsay, Pride Of Scotland
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=111   

The Tartan Shawls and Large Shawls all appear on the Mayfair Valley Daytime page as single items. If you want to see them pictured individually, please follow the link below.

http://www.mayfair-valley.co.uk/daytime.asp

Lightweight Pashmina Cashmere and Silk has a beautifully sensuous drape that is perfect for occasion wear and if you are looking for something with that wow factor, the Zanzibar range at Mayfair Valley Pashmina gives a nod to that tartan look with designer oomph.
The Zanzibar Shawl is woven in a pattern of stripes that run length and width-wise to produce a check. As the colours cross they double up and intensify, or mix and create a blend, producing a fascinating shimmer of colour. Some of the range are also over-dyed with another colour to add a further iridescence  
                                     SILVER ROSE ZANZIBAR SHAWL 70 x 180cms

70% Pashmina Cashmere and 30% Silk Lightweight Shawl - Silver Rose Zanzibar

Size : (70 x 180cm) (28 x 72 inches) Ref MV370LW Price £99.00

http://www.mayfair-valley.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=935

                                          PEACOCK ZANZIBAR SHAWL 70 x 180cms

70% Pashmina Cashmere and 30% Silk Lightweight Shawl - Peacock Zanzibar

Size : (70 x 180cm) (28 x 72 inches)

 Ref MV361LW Price £99.00

http://www.mayfair-valley.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=870


#pashmina #cashmere #silk #shawl #scarf #tartanscarf #tartanshawl

Green Days! Pashmina Shawls For Green Goddesses!

Green is a colour that gets a lot of bad press. But if you don't feel strongly that it's an unlucky shade, it's infinite varieties are a pleasure to wear. Yes, it's more difficult than blue - greens are just a bit more spikey and are unwilling to suit everyone with every shade - but when you find the green that works with your skin tone, it will look absolutely stunning, rather than safe.

Firstly here are the plain Pashmina Cashmere & Silk choices in stock at the moment.
www.pashminasdirect.co.uk
www.mayfair-valley.co.uk

Scarf 30 x 150cms Grass Green
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=13

and Stole 45 x 180cms Forest Fern
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=3

Available in the Shawl or Large Scarf size 70 x 180cms : Emerald and Moss
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=14
or with a short fringe Grass Green
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=953

Lime also has the short fringe and is the 70 x 180cms size
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=486

 

and in shades of the ocean: Seagreen, Aqua and Pale Aqua 70 x 180cms

http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=14

 

In the Large Shawl size 90 x 200cms we have Emerald;  Pistachio is a soft green; Kiwi has a vibrant yellow base and Peacock with is a rich jade green with a hint of blue.

http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=15

 

 

#pashmina #cashmere #silk #shawl #scarf #cashmerescarf #cashmereshawl

 

 

 

Pashmina Is A Girl's Best Friend! April Birthstone Pashmina Colour

Diamond is April's birthstone colour and a girl's best friend, so accordingly www.pashminasdirect.co.uk have reduced a selection of pale pashminas (mostly ivory and in our Wedding or Red Carpet range) that feature Swarovski, crystal or beading embellishments. You really can't go wrong with a combination of cashmere and bling!

                                           70% Pashmina Cashmere & 30% Silk Shawl with Beaded fringe
                                               http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=946
                                            http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=948

One of the most popular shawls is the Pashmina Cashmere & Silk Plain Shawl with Beaded Tassels. This is currently reduced as a birthstone offer in Ivory and Cream. However, don't despair if you miss it this time around - Pashminas Direct and www.mayfair-valley.co.uk do put various colours on offer in this style regularly. The weight of the beads makes it drape consistently; a useful benefit when you want to enjoy an occasion rather than fiddle with a shawl.

Another shawl in the spotlight this month is the Greek Key Swarovski pashmina shawl. It is such an unusual design to finish off a pashmina, and very simply chic. http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=246  It's currently on the www.pashminasdirect.co.uk Bridal page which is worth checking for summer looks, even if you are not a bride. Ivory and Cream are classic colours for evening wear shawls -  crisp in the summer and elegant in the winter, it's a versatile neutral that earns its keep.

                           70% Pashmina Cashmere & 30% Silk Shawl with Greek Key Swarovski edge

This autumn Mayfair Valley introduced a pure cashmere knitted bolero which is embellished in Swarovski crystals. The original white sample is here in size 10-12 and with a 50% discount on the RRP:

http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=874

     100% Pashmina Cashmere Fine Knit Bolero Shrug with Diamond Swarovski

Another pure pashmina cashmere, this time in a very fine knit, is the Stardust Sweater (UK 6-8) Taken into occasion wear by it's own sequin corsage, this is an elegant style that looks stunning for spring with pale pants or dramatic with black in winter.
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=878

     100% Pashmina Cashmere Fine Knit Sweater with Sequin Starburst

For simple elegance, the Lightweight Pashmina Cashmere & Silk Shawl with Swarovski - Starlight Wedding gives a great drape with a hint of sparkle. An ideal choice in plain ivory for summer events.

 Lightweight 70% Pashmina Cashmere & 30% Silk Shawl with Swarovski - Starlight Wedding
http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=817

For more hand embroidered and beaded designs in other colours check the Red Carpet page of Pashminas Direct http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/cat05.asp  and the Evening page of Mayfair Valley Pashmina http://www.mayfair-valley.co.uk/evening.asp

#pashmina #pashminashawl #shawl #Swarovski #cashmeresweater #cashmere

Pashmina! A brand new season of beaded fringe pashmina shawls!

Bright Orange Pashmina Shawl with Bugle Bead fringe

Beaded fringe are some of our most consistently popular 'fancy' pashmina shawls. They are the 70% Pashmina & 30% Silk quality regular weight shawls that people know and love; but along with the comfort of knowing that you will be kept warm in our unpredictable whether, there is the added value of looking glamorous as well.  http://www.pashminasdirect.co.uk/Details.asp?ProductID=115

Bugle bead fringe on a 70% Pashmina Cashmere & 30% Shawl

They are an ideal shawl for a big occasion - particularly weddings where you may be in a cool church or outside for photographs.  We have a choice of Cream and an Ivory Shawl for brides, and can order particular colours on request for Mothers of the Bride or Bridesmaids.  The beaded fringe provides a weight to the end of the shawl that keeps it draped as you want it, but isn't too heavy. There is a 4-6 weeks delivery time for special orders.

Cream Pashmina Shawl below:  with Ivory Pashmina Shawl on top

This season we've added to our colour range with Silver, Pale Coral and Sienna Red making a first and welcome appearance.  Pale Pink makes a long awaited return and Black is back once more after selling out before Christmas.  All our Beaded fringe Pashminas are made in Nepal from 70% Pashmina Cashmere & 30% Silk.

Pale Coral Pashmina Shawl

Pale Pink Pashmina Shawl

Silver Pashmina Shawl

Pale Blue Pashmina Shawl

Plum Pashmina Shawl

Sand Pashmina Shawl

Raspberry Pashmina Shawl

Black Pashmina Shawl

Sienna Red Pashmina Shawl

Pale Turquoise Pashmina Shawl

Spotlight on Starlight Pashmina Shawls and pashmina cleaning tips!

Currently reduced on our Special Offer page are the Starlight Shawls and I thought that they deserved a post of their own. This is a style of shawl that has been a favourite over a number of years, particularly if you want  a bit of glamour without the weight of  a beaded fringe or more intricate and heavy embroidery, (such as we occasionally sell as clearance items from our designer sister site www.mayfair-valley.co.uk ).

So here are the facts!  The Starlights are classic 70% Pashmina Cashmere & 30% Silk Shawls (size 70 x 180cms) with a hint of sparkle provided by a faceted crystal bead.  Unless we know for sure, we assume that the beads used are generic hot glue crystals, not a named variety.  If they are a named variety, we say in the description!
The Starlight Shawls featured here have the generic hot glue crystals.

The crystals are hand applied with hot glue, in a regulated diamond formation over the length of the shawl. Sometimes they group the beads more closely at either end of the shawl, but it depends on the beader.
The crystals bond strongly to the cashmere fibres when the glue becomes cold, however I recommend to take a little care when cleaning.  Dry cleaning or Hand Wash with Care are the usual instructions and  I've hand-washed my Starlight shawl with cashmere detergent in warm water and not experienced any problems. In fact, I probably prefer to be 'hands on' with the cleaning, so I know how the shawl is reacting!

 Regarding ironing,  iron on the back with a protective cloth to cushion yourself over the crystal bumps. It's always best to start with a cloth; although you might find it's not necessary when you know what your shawl can take.
If you are bold, any stubborn creases out can be got out with a direct iron from the front - there's usually room between the stones - but watch like a hawk! And always start on a low heat... you can go higher if necessary and most creases come out on a low-medium heat. You can also slightly dampen the cloth if that's your preference - common sense applies!
 NOTE: Before writing this I tested the plum starlight shown here. It ironed fine without a cloth on the back and on the front. I used a dry iron, low-medium heat. The picture below was taken pre-ironing!!!!

A note of caution about ironing - and this applies to all cashmere shawls, beaded or not -  some dyes react worse than others to heat, so it is best to protect your pashminas with a cloth.  Over the years I have become wary about paler colours - particularly those that have yellow tones (off-whites, silvers, pale pinks (like here) pale lilacs and corals) - as these can react on a low-medium heat unless protected. 

Every pashmina is an individual, that's why we love them. Until you know how your pashmina reacts, treat it cautiously.  Some can take the rougher stuff!

Starlight Shawls PD060  - the colour numbers refer to our colour chart (previously blogged). One of each available!!!

Raspberry and Rose Pink

 Bitter Chocolate, Teal and Plum

 Raspberry 46

 Rose Pink 190

Bitter Chocolate 232

 Teal 395

 Plum 245

Pashmina Shawl Colour Crib Class of 2013! Beige, Brown, Grape and Plum!

This is our final selection of shawl colours from 2013, although if I were to venture into the Large Shawls I'd find plenty more....

First the browns and beiges. These aren't fashion colours, but have a timeless appeal (particularly when layered together in an outfit) and we try to have a couple of sand/beige or camel colour choices  in stock at any one time.   Bitter Chocolate has always been one of our Classic shades and it's a useful colour to give richness to a  beige-based outfit or as an alternative if you want a darker shade but know that black is too draining on your complexion.  It can also look amazing against pistachio green, if you want to tone down this year's pastels.

Plum and Grape were our shawl purples at the end of 2013 - Plum going for the pink end of the spectrum and Grape for the smoky blue. (Royal Purple and Violet appeared in the largest size). Both of these shades slot well into this winter period, when the days getting lighter. They're less rich and opulent than royal purple- which can be a bit 'Christmassy' and seem more suitable daytime shades. Grape 332 falls into the tones of purple that are coming through on the catwalks for spring 14.

As ever, the numbers following the colour names refer to the dye chart that we use to order the shawls. I will re-blog the dye chart so it's current in the list of blogs and you can see how they relate in full size shawl form!

Blonde 109-LL, Camel 109, Bitter Chocolate 232, Black, Plum 245, Grape 332
      

Pashmina Shawl Colour Crib Class of 2013! Oranges and Reds!

As we bound forward in 2014 and our Home Page changes to a Valentine theme, I feel it's useful to immortalise the 'mug shots' that I did for the Class of 2013.

I basically took a photo of each colour available in the Pashmina and Silk Shawl (70 x 180cms) size, for a special Christmas offer.   In tandem with the dye charts that appear on this blog (and will appear again, to bring them up the blog list), this gives a good look at how the colours from the dye chart look in the finished shawl. And applies to many other scarves, stoles and shawls too.

As the dye charts are primarily produced as guides to embroidery silk, the colours naturally change slightly when cashmere comes into the equation.  This is even more apparent on pure cashmere. Colours that zing out on silk thread are far more muted when absorbed by cashmere.

Add to this the fact that our shawls are hand-dyed and the colours are mixed by eye by the dye-masters, each batch of dyeing is then unique to that moment.  Occasionally we order a standard colour and when we receive it we realise that we have to order again - the dye master has gone too dark or too pale to hit that classic shade. The benefit to the pashmina lover is that a new shade is then available and the choice of colours grows.....

Here are the Oranges:  Burnt Orange 403,  Bright Orange 62D (Unlabelled), Terracotta 402, Pale Coral 291

and the reds... Chilli 131,  Ruby 242, Bright Red 25 (Unlabelled) and Blush Red 130.

More colours to follow next week...