Meet the Other Phone. Child-safe in minutes.

Meet the Other Phone.
Child-safe in minutes.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Style and beauty

Looking for style advice? Chat all about it here. For the latest discounts on fashion and beauty, sign up for Mumsnet Moneysaver emails.

Are pashminas really naff?

29 replies

blowsy · 14/07/2008 18:07

It's just that I have bought a halter necked maxi dress for a wedding (register office do, so informal) and I need something in case it's pissing down inclement weather.

So do I get a pashmina or will everyone point at me and laugh??

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 14/07/2008 18:13

no - must be a proper one though

ANTagony · 14/07/2008 18:20

Don't know what a proper one is I'm afraid - is is a brand then? What ever you wear you have to feel good and confident in. Nothing worse that someone who would look good if they'd just stop fidgeting and readjusting they're clothes.

Would you be happy in it?

blowsy · 14/07/2008 18:24

I think I'd be happy in one, or hopefully just carrying it as the weather may be OK. I'd have to practice draping it in a 'I know what I'm doing' style!

I presume MaryAnnSingleton means a silk one??

OP posts:
MaryAnnSingleton · 14/07/2008 18:28

cashmere I think

palaver · 14/07/2008 18:30

and not just any old cashmere, but the wool from the pashmina goat

MaryAnnSingleton · 14/07/2008 18:31

yes, that's it

HumphreyCushioni · 14/07/2008 18:33

Pashmina kid if you can get it.
Even softer.

blowsy · 14/07/2008 18:42

Drr! I knew I didn't mean silk!!

Off to Google pashmina kid

OP posts:
ANTagony · 14/07/2008 19:27

Learn something new every day on hear! I've got a silk wrap my parents brought in Italy many moons ago - I always thought that was a pashmina. I love it what ever it is.

blowsy · 14/07/2008 20:21

Have been on numerous sites now, and feel intimidated by the cashmere/silk ratio and all the dimensions on offer. Haven't even started on the colours!

Am going to have a glass of wine and procrastinate instead.

OP posts:
lulumama · 14/07/2008 20:23

have one real pashmina, and two very nice Big Scarves and some sort of shawl wrap type thing, i swear by them ! i hate coats.

everlong · 15/07/2008 09:09

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

MrsBadger · 15/07/2008 09:11

I think in a maxi dress plus a pahsmina there migth be a bit too much fabric flying around - I'd look like a heap of laundry

a little shrug or cardi may be more sleek.

CountessDracula · 15/07/2008 09:22

oh that is shite that it needs to be a proper one

NO-ONE will notice the difference (except you and your wallet)

potoftea · 15/07/2008 09:43

Had no idea that they were thought of as naff. I think they look so chic when worn with confidence. ie not like an old lady clutching a shawl around you.
When worn with a casual confidence I think they look so elegant, but now I realise I must be very out of touch, and I wouldn't know the difference between a real one and an imitation one either

love2sleep · 15/07/2008 10:41

Agree with CD about it not needing to be a "proper one". I bought 2 for my wedding to try home at home with my dress and the cheaper one looked SOOOO much better. IMO It's more important to get the colour and size right. That said I never actually wore the thing as the sun shined all day

ThePettyandIllinformedGoat · 15/07/2008 10:43

agree with mrsbadger, a wee shrug would look alot better

LittleBoSheep · 15/07/2008 10:55

I think its only naff to wear a pashmina if you care about what is in are a complete fashion victim...which in my opinion is naffness in the extreme

I have bought them on on ebay for next to nothing and as long as you wear it with confidence it looks fine and im not one of these mega stylish people who can wear scarves and things in all sorts of funky knotty styles Try a mega cheap ebay one to see if it looks right (mine was £2 including postage) you will probably rarely use it and its really not worth spending stupid money on one - if it then turns out you hate it and never use it again If you then have money to burn and want/must have the real thing then you know its not a waste to spend that much money.

I think Mrs Badger may be right in that maxi dress + pashmina may be a bit much and a nice shrug/bolero may be the way to go.

melrose · 15/07/2008 11:02

So does not nee to be a proper one, my mum and I have have 3 M&S ones between us in different colours, have used them so much for weddings, parties and holidays. You can pop neatly folded in your handbag and whip out when it gets a bit chilly, no lugging about a cardi/jacket or leaving at the back of the church!

I think as long as they are in a complimentary colour they can look really pretty. But beware of buying one too big as think that can make you look like you ahve a travel rug draped round you and create the aforementioned piler of ;laundry look!

BadHair · 15/07/2008 11:06

I wore one very similar to this to a wedding last month. Had it with a 50s style tea dress from Matalan and had no end of compliments. I think it was from that seller as well, actually.

zippitippitoes · 15/07/2008 11:09

i know i would look daft in one

they are old fashioned things to me

LittleBoSheep · 15/07/2008 11:11

The thing is they are just so convenient they keep the chill off if you need it but just fold up really small if you dont...and I never thought I would wear one, I am now converted but mainly for weddings and holidays

CoffeeCrazedMama · 15/07/2008 11:33

Pure do them in 100% cashmere. Their sale is on now. I have had one for a few years now in baby blue (actually bought for a wedding) and it gets softer and more lovely all the time and is incredibly useful (great on holiday when you want to sit out on a terrace but its a bit nippy). Might have been an investment, but if I can keep the moths at bay I can see myself having it for years. (And that was my first ever link, always been nervous before - hope it works!)

zippitippitoes · 15/07/2008 11:34

to me they are shawls and come under the same heading as bed jackets and travel rugs

girlsallaround · 15/07/2008 11:35

i agree shrug or cardi for the maxi dress with halter top, pashmina might be too much. i have a few scarf/pashminas and i never actually manage to wear them with a dress...