How do you wear an oversized cashmere scarf?

Winter is already here. And it's time to cuddle up in everything warm and cosy. But can we really be that free to stay in bed all day? No, we can’t. Hence we came up with a better alternative that could keep one warm throughout the day without having to wear piles of sweaters and cardigans. And that is Cashmere. Cashmere scarves are fine and warm, smooth and comfy, yet women at times find it hard to cuddle up in its entirety due to size issues. For those who feel the cold a bit more than others, artisans came up with the idea of an oversized Cashmere scarf. Some might call them large shawls, but these scarves come with a size of 100*200 cm, which is a lot more than a scarf size (35*140 cm)

What is Cashmere?

Cashmere wool is found in Ladakh where a rare species of goats grow it as an undercoat. Even Though Cashmere goats are found all over the rough terrains of Asia, Ladahi goats bear the best quality wool. It is extremely warm, soft and delicate. The scarves thus produced have the same qualities. A Cashmere scarf is so warm that you would hardly need those huge jackets and coats to layer up if you own an oversized Cashmere scarf. 

All the processing of Cashmere takes place manually and as many as 15 artisan families are associated with just one Cashmere wrap. It is acquired manually, it is spun manually over a wooden spinning wheel, it is woven on a hand loom and not the power loom, where maximum effort is manual. Later embroidery is done by hand, finishing, washing, ironing, thus every single effort to complete one shawl takes as many as hundred artisans and their meticulous efforts for years together.

Where does Cashmere come from

Cashmere wool is obtained from Ladakh. The nomadic tribal population which resides here in Changthang region rears a special exotic goat species. The Capra Hircus also knows as Pashmina/Cashmere goat grows a fine fleece over the sensitive parts of its body, like underbelly, neck etc. This wool is the Cashmere, but it is still to be processed and sorted as it is right now mingled with thick guard hair. Guard hair needs to be separated for 100% pure Cashmere fibre. Dehaired Cashmere is ready to be further processed, converted to yarn and later to textile, apparel or wrap accessories

How is Cashmere obtained

Cashmere wool is collected during mid spring when goats tend to shed it naturally. It starts from March end to May. During this time, hormonal changes in the animal forces it to shed the wool, and the goat rubs itself with rough surfaces to get rid of some portion of this warm fleece. The animal is ethically treated and wool is combed off its body with specialized tools and combs by professionals. When the entire wool is collected, it is sorted as per finesse. Pure Cashmere is later separated from guard hair and processed further.

This should be noted that Cashmere is procured from the Ladakhi goats in peak summer when the goat itself sheds a large portion of it. The hair is not sheared or pulled out of its body so as to cause it nay harm. Not is the wool acquired in winter, lest the goat feels uncomfortably cold. Cashmere is ethically procured, and there is no case of animal cruelty associated with it.

Processing of Cashmere

Raw Cashmere wool is sent to Kashmir for further processing where women again clean it. They check for any foreign material or guard hair and send it for spinning only when they are sure about the purity of the wool. After the cleaning process, Cashmere wool is sent for spinning. Women spin Cashmere on a wooden spinning wheel called 'yinder'. The spinning wheel helps to create long threads of Cashmere yarn out of the lump of cleaned wool. The threads are strung together and sent to the factory where large wooden hand looms await

Hand loom is used to weave Cashmere yarn and produce fabric. The hand loom too is made of wood and is more traditional, than modern. Hence more work is done manually on it. As soon as threads of Cashmere arrive, they are mount on the loom heddles and two or more workers start with weaving it. One wrap of 100 cm breadth and 200 cm length is done in three to four days, and this is the world famous Pashmina shawl. It is sent for finishing, embroidery, washing and ironing, and hence the entire shawl gets ready from early summer to staring winter. It is late September when sale of these Pashmina starts.

What is 100 Cashmere scarf

When the popularity of Cashmere rose to its zenith in the 19th century, many fraudulent traders started making cheap copies. This led to a downfall in the making of pure Cashmere wraps as cheap copies were sold for less. Hence customers got lured to them. 100 Cashmere scarf would be such a scarf which is made from 100% Cashmere only. No foreign strengthening material would be used in it. After the advent of power looms, Cashmere wool would be mixed with strengthening nylon or silk to make it eligible for the wear and tear of the machine. The scarves, hence, would be an amalgam of a number of materials and not pure. 100 Cashmere scarf is 100% pure Cashmere scarf, which is handmade and there is no interference of machine.

Is Cashmere from Kashmir?

Cashmere production is the largest in China, which is followed by Mongolia. But the quality of Cashmere coming from these areas is nowhere close the Cashmere from Kashmir. Kashmiri Cashmere is rare, finest and hence expensive than the others. One Cashmere goat of Ladakh produced around 150 grams of Cashmere wool per year

Oversized Cashmere Scarves

Being oversized makes the already versatile Cashmere scarves more versatile. There are a hundred ways to wear them. How to wear an oversized Cashmere scarf is totally up to the wearer. One can use it as a shawl, as a wrap, wear it like a scarf, or even make a DIY shrug out of its downy base. Here are a number of ways in which one can wear an oversized Cashmere scarf

Wear your large Cashmere scarf like a shawl

An oversized Cashmere scarf can be used as a shawl. The measurements of such a piece should be at least 100 * 200 cm. This type of Cashmere scarf is generally draped over the shoulders to cover the upper portion of your body with its pleasant warmth. Or else you can let the scarf dangle on one shoulder by placing the centre of it on the shoulder and suspending the rest down.

Wear it as a stole

A large Cashmere wrap can be worn as a stole. Place the centre of the stole over the neck and let the two sides loose from the front. You can take one of the ends and flick it over the other. 

Wear the big Cashmere scarf as a regular scarf

Large scarves can be worn as regular scarves in so many ways. Tie it in a French knot and you are done for a formal day at the office. Wrap it like a loop around the ends with ends suspended down or fitted inside your sweater.

Wear the oversized scarf as a dress accessory

A large Cashmere scarf can be easily paired with a dress - long or short - by choosing the right colour. Usually, women pair these scarves with plain dresses. One can tie a Cashmere scarf by making a large bow at the neck for a classic look. Or else just wrap it around the shoulders and let it brighten up a basic dress. 

Sometimes an oversized Cashmere scarf can even be used as a how to keep oneself warm while working at their desk. 

Wear the scarf as a shrug

The biggest advantage with an oversized scarf is that it is oversized. Hence one can reap the benefit of a shawl or wrap from this beautiful accessory. One can even transform an oversized Cashmere scarf into a shrug easily. Simply, spread the scarf across the back and bring the two ends from under your arms to the front. Extend these ends to the back of the neck and make a knot. This large shrug will keep you warm as well as super stylish. Pair it with your favourite jeans and you are good to go.

Also read: HANDMADE PASHMINA VS MACHINE MADE PASHMINA - THE DIFFERENCE

Using oversized Cashmere scarf like a Throw

A large Cashmere scarf isn't just like a shawl or dress accessory. One can even use it as a throw to keep warm. Enjoy your afternoon cup of tea on the sofa, with you wrapped in a luxury oversized Cashmere scarf.

To be used as a throw, an oversized Cashmere scarf should be either solid, printed, patterned or ombre shaded. Hand embroidered or Kani Cashmere scarves aren't suitable for using as throws.

Give a Cashmere scarf as a gift to someone who has everything

We all have friends who have almost everything. Buying them a gift is a task. But with an extravagant oversized Cashmere scarf, one can win their hearts. Cashmere scarves are anyway never enough for someone who already owns them. But an oversized one will definitely win their hearts owing to their exclusivity. Leave it to them how they style it.

Also read: WHY IS CASHMERE EXPENSIVE?

Oversized Cashmere scarves for Men

Our male siblings or partners have always wanted that Cashmere scarf of ours, but it always looks weird when they wear it. However, an oversized Cashmere scarf will always be a shared luxury between men and women as its large size looks perfect for men too. 

Is Cashmere production Cruel?

Oversized or normal sized, the most common question about Cashmere scarves is that of being ethical. Are we paying huge amounts for a fibre that is cruel in its making? Is Cashmere cruel to goats? Is Cashmere unethical to produce, trade in or wear. These questions have been troubling us and the users as wel since years. Especially since movements like veganism came forwards, humans have been more responsible and considerate for animal needs and rights. So we dug deep into the matter of Cashmere being unethical and what we found out was relaxing! Cashmere is not unethical. It is definitely not cruel to goats. Cashmere is produced and obtained ethically by professionals.

Ethical Production of Cashmere

Cashmere is found grown on the underbelly of Ladakhi goat, because of which it survive one of the most harsh winter ever. The temperature in Changthang area reaches -40 degrees and was it not for Cashmere, the goat would probably not survive. As winter starts to end and summer starts to arrive, the goats too shed this wool naturally. Herders realize that the warm wool is making the goat uneasy as it continuously rubs itself to get rid of the wool. Professionals with specialized tools and techniques are called and they help comb the wool off the body of the goat. It relieves the goat of this burden and they are now free to graze around the plateau. This happens late March to May, and the shawls are put to sale at the start of September. Cashmere production is not cruel to the goat. In fact the wool itself is lost naturally by the goat as soon as its summer. Hence the use is ethical and no living being is harmed in the entire process.

How versatile is this single piece of cloth? On one hand, it is a wearable wrap, and on the other, it can be transformed into a shrug. On one hand, it can be used as a throw while on a working desk or during a winter noon nap, and on the other it can be gifted to the ones you adore. 

Also read: HOW DO YOU WEAR A CASHMERE WRAP?