Pashmina vs Cashmere: What's the Difference?
If you've been shopping for a winter shawl online in Pakistan, you've probably seen the terms "pashmina" and "cashmere" used as if they mean the same thing. They're closely related, but not identical — and knowing the difference helps you buy the right shawl for your needs.
What is Cashmere?
Cashmere is a general term for wool that comes from the undercoat of cashmere goats, which are raised in several regions including Mongolia, China, and parts of Central Asia. It's known for being soft, lightweight, and warm, and it's used in everything from sweaters to scarves.
What is Pashmina?
Pashmina is a specific, finer type of cashmere that comes from the Changthangi goat, found in the high-altitude regions of Ladakh and Kashmir. The fibre is thinner and softer than standard cashmere, which is why pure pashmina shawls tend to feel lighter and drape more delicately.
In practice, all pashmina is cashmere, but not all cashmere is pashmina — pashmina is considered the premium end of the cashmere spectrum, especially when it's hand-spun and hand-woven the traditional Kashmiri way.
How to Tell Them Apart When Buying
- Feel: Genuine pashmina feels extremely soft and slightly warm to the touch, almost like it has texture and body rather than being flat.
- Weight: Pashmina shawls are usually lighter than standard cashmere or wool shawls of the same size.
- Price: Because of the finer fibre and hand-craftsmanship involved, genuine pashmina usually costs more than machine-made cashmere blends.
- Embroidery: Many pashmina shawls, especially from Kashmir, feature hand Aari or Sozni embroidery — a sign of traditional craftsmanship rather than mass production.
Which Should You Choose?
If you want a shawl for everyday winter wear, a well-made pashmina or pashmina-blend shawl offers a good balance of warmth and softness. If you're buying for a special occasion — a wedding, mehndi, or as a bridal gift — a hand-embroidered pure pashmina shawl is usually worth the investment for both quality and appearance.
At Vantara Signature, all our shawls are made from 100% pashmina wool, hand-embroidered by Kashmiri artisans. You can browse our women's pashmina shawl collection or our men's shawls for wedding and winter wear.