never mind..didn't realize that is was Italian for silk...

Based on information on this travel site I recently purchased my first "pashmina" for my upcoming trip from Bloomingdals.

This one obviously has a silk blend and therefore has that silk smell to it which I dislike. Any suggestions on how to get rid of that smell? I can actualy smell it a few feet away and I wouldn't want to disturb other passengers on my flight who may find it stinky!

Thanks,
Happy trails,
Aranda

Maybe try putting it in a box w/ some sachets that aren't in contact with it so it won't stain. Try that for a few days. You probably can't do a fabric spray. I will be curious to see what others suggest too

Aranda ..... If Bloomie's is nearby, I would return it. I've found that if something displeases me right after I purchase it, smell, feel, fit, etc.. no matter what I do with it, it will end up in a drawer or shelf and will never be used.

One I something smells bad to me, no matter what I do, I can never forget that smell.

There are many others to choose from. For me at least, thicker warmer scarves have to have that 'blankie' feeling right off the bat. Smaller silk or acrylic scarves are just accessories and don't have to meet that requirement.

Nina

I bought a beautiful Tommy Bahama silk shirt a few years ago and had the same problem with the smell. I would open my closet and think something had died. It made me nauseous when I tried to wear it even after repeated washings and a visit to the dry cleaner didn't improve the smell either. I gave it to a friend who didn't find the smell offensive.

I've always used scarves, shawls and pareos as accessories on my body as well as on furniture. So Pashminas aren't new to me, but the finess of the fabric as Shahtoosh is new to me. And sure enough my pashmina received from a friend, about 30/years ago, is just that, a Shahtoosh.

Just checked with the friend who had brought it back for me as a gift from his travels in India or thereabouts; sure enough when there were no restrictions he did bring a few of these home with him. I always marveled at the finest of the fabric/cloth/weave and the fact that it did fit through a ring.

If it were today, though unlikely to receive such a gift with the restrictions, and being an endangered species, I'd decline the gesture.

There are just too many options available in cashmere, blends, and a wide range of prices, I can buy my own. They're a great option over an airline blanket.

Thanks Sandi, Mileaday and Laurenzo, I think I'll take Nina's advice and return it. I just have to find one that doesn't have that silk smell to it.

Any suggestions?

Aranda

Why don't you just go to NM and buy a Loro Piana cashmere shawl? They are only $1400. A steal.

Christine,
Handmaiden of Thingorjus

I bought a wonderful Cruciani cashmere scarf in Italy, so light, so soft, so warm, only to lose it last year at a Trader Joes! See if you can buy a Cruciani, you will love it.

Try not to get one with silk added, imho it makes it stiffer, pure pashmina is luxury!

I was surprised to see they were selling some kind of shawl, rolled up, in a nice fabric and pattern, inexpensively at the shops by the gates at SeaTac (Seattle, WA) airport last week!

I returned the smelly pashmina and I am now looking for one without a silk content.

Hopefully, I'll find one before my trip in October.

Thanks everyone,
Aranda

ATTENTION: REVIVING OLD THREAD.

I am so not into fashion. Are these in or out? Would having a cheap one be a versatile item for warmth, sitting on in a park, etc?

They're still selling the fake ones in Europe. Many souvenir shops and vendors have them. I think they're great. I used one I just bought last week to keep warm tonight. I wrapped it around my neck. I thought if I was cold in church I could wrap it around my shoulders. I have tons of them at home. Don't wear them often but I love them.

They're not terribly warm and won't replace a jacket or sweater but if you need something over your shoulders if it gets chilly they're great. When I get hot I take it off and stuff it in my purse or pack.

I wouldn't sit on one since might get dirty and they don't wash well. The best thing I know of for sitting on is a laminated Street Wise (or similar) map. It's a map when you need a map and it wards off the cold from stone or marble or a damp bench.

Neiman Marcus has real pashimas and you can find them on line.
I have one that I use for travel. It keeps me warm and I do wash it.

Here's a description of what it is and how to take care of it. All sold as pashimas are not always true.

http://www.thepashminastore.com/articles.asp?id=123

They're still "in" where I live, worn often as scarves in the fall and spring. I got a few (very fake) ones in London last year for something like £3 each, and I wear them all the time. Just be careful if you get the cheap ones, though; mine snag on things (one has several snags from the velcro on my warmest jacket - my mistake), and the first time I washed them (on gentle) the jewel tones bled really badly. Not sure how the real ones hold up under the same treatment, but for the price and the look, I don't mind.