When looking for a suitable gift idea for a female relative or friend, a shawl would be perfect. 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 – How Do We Describe a Shawl?

A shawl, being oblong or rectangular in shape, is a piece of material which may be wrapped over the shoulders and neck and, if desired, can cover the head as well. The name shawl is derived from the Persian term “shal” that is descriptive of a form of attire which drapes across the body in a loose fitting fashion. Though, typically, they are worn for keeping warm, shawls are also a stylish piece of clothing. In various religions, shawls are a ceremonial piece of clothing. With a boundless array of patterns, styles and designs, there are shawls designed to suit the most difficult customers.

Ladies Gift Ideas – Regarding Pashmina Shawls

Pashmina shawls are fashioned out of a very soft and delicate wool named “pashm.” This is the downy soft undercoat of the Himalayan mountain goat, Capra hircus. Though varying classes of wool are marketed in western countries as “cashmere,” in Kashmir, source of the fibre, it is named pashm. Pashm is the Persian word meaning “wool.” Capra hircus is oftentimes called the “pashmina goat.” A pashmina shawl is only pashm in its woven form. Pashmina shawls are widely produced in India and Nepal. These shawls are roomy and lightweight, yet incredibly warm. Woven in an astonishing diversity of stylish and elaborate patterns, pashminas respected for their splendour, smoothness and snugness. In India, the fineness of the material indicates the status of the wearer. The Punjab sector of India is a major shawl weaving locale. In this area, pashm wool may be combined with angora and merino wools and then hand spun and hand woven to create beautiful shawls.

Ladies Gift Ideas – Hand Formed Shawls

Many countries have a rich tradition of hand loomed fabrics with elegant and unique patterns. Hand loomed shawls can be woven from a variety of fibres, this entails wool/silk mixes and wool/cotton blends. Another widely accepted mixture is pashmina wool and silk. In areas where it is warm, light and medium weight cotton shawls are trendy. In cooler climates, cashmere and merino mixtures are favoured. Hand loomed shawls are fashioned by experienced artisans using traditional methods and patterns that have been unchanged for centuries. By implementation of natural dyes, the shawls are given colour and vivacity.

Present Day Shawls

Modern shawls might be created from numerous sorts of fabrics, in accordance with the event they are intended for. Informal shawls could be plain woven materials finished with borders. For ceremonial affairs, a shawl designed using organza, satin or silk is appropriate. ceremonial shawls could be adorned using beading, Swarovski crystals, pearls or tiny flecks. An additional facet to notice in a proper shawl is a satin lining. For the ultimate in a fashion forward look, choose a hand painted or hand adorned shawl with scattered glittering crystals or radiant pearls.

A shawl makes a great gift for a woman of any age. You don’t need to know her size to get her a beautiful garment.

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Womens World