When you’re in need of a gift idea for a female friend or relative, a shawl is a great choice. There is no fuss over getting the right size and there is a wide availability of patterns and materials. Below is a little bit of fascinating history on shawls.

Ladies Gift Ideas – What Are Some Basics about the Shawl?

A shawl may be worn to cover the neck, shoulders, and, if preferred, the head—it will be rectangular or oblong. The word shawl comes from the Persian term “shal” which refers to a kind of material which hangs loosely around a person’s body. Despite the fact that they are normally used to stay warm, shawls do make a fashion statement as well. In various religions, shawls are ceremonial garments. With a boundless array of patterns, types and forms, there are shawls designed to suit the most difficult customers.

Ladies Gift Ideas – Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina shawls are woven from extremely soft and fine wool called “pashm.” This is the downy soft undercoat of a Himalayan mountain goat, Capra hircus. Despite the fact that diverse qualities of wool are sold in the countries of the western world as “cashmere,” in Kashmir, foundation of the fibre, it is called pashm. Pashm is actually the Persian word meaning “wool.” Capra hircus is oftentimes called the “pashmina goat.” A pashmina shawl is just pashm in its woven variety. Pashmina shawls are widely created in India and Nepal. These shawls are roomy and lightweight, yet incredibly warm. Woven in an astonishing diversity of chic and complicated patterns, pashminas respected for their splendour, softness and warmth. In India, the fineness of the material indicates the status of the wearer. The Punjab region of India is a chief shawl weaving locale. Here, pashm wool may be joined together with angora and merino wools and then hand spun and hand woven to design superb shawls.

Ladies Gift Ideas – Hand Made Shawls

A lot of countries possess a rich custom of hand loomed materials that have exclusive and chic patterns. Hand loomed shawls may be created using a diversity of fabrics, this entails wool/silk mixtures and wool/cotton blends. Another widely accepted mixture is pashmina wool and silk. In areas where it is warm, lightweight and middle weight cotton shawls are admired. In cooler climates, cashmere and merino mixtures are favoured. Hand loomed shawls are made by trained artisans using traditional methods and patterns that have been unchanged for centuries. By implementation of natural dyes, the shawls are given colour and vibrancy.

Present Day Shawls

Today’s shawls may be manufactured from many types of fabrics, depending upon the affair that they are used for. Informal shawls can be simple interwoven fabrics finished with trim. For dressy events, a shawl designed using organza, satin or silk is proper. formal shawls can be decorated using beading, Swarovski crystals, pearls or sequins. Another detail to look for in a proper shawl would be a satin lining. To get the ultimate in an advanced style, select a hand painted or hand decorated shawl with scattered sparkling crystals or lustrous pearls.

A shawl makes a fantastic gift for females of every age. You don’t need to know her size to buy her a gorgeous garment.

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Womens World