7 Ways to Wear a Pashmina
Seven easy ways to style a pashmina, from a simple knot to a soft bow. Every step has its own photograph, so you can follow along in front of a mirror.
Left and right in the steps mean your own left and right. The model faces you, so her left is on your right as you look at the photographs. Select any step photograph to see it full size.
1. The Milan Wrap
A loose knot with a soft twist of fabric at the neck, and both ends falling to one side. It gives a plain jumper or coat an easy focal point, for every day or a weekend out.
8 steps
Tip: Keep the fabric gathered rather than folded flat. A loose band makes a softer, fuller knot.
Step 1 Hold the pashmina open by its top edge, ready to fold it in half along its length.
Step 2 Gather it loosely into a narrow band. Don’t smooth it flat.
Step 3 Hang it round your neck so the end on your left is about twice as long as the end on your right.
Step 4 Take the long left end once round your neck, so both ends hang at the front.
Step 5 Reach into the wrap at your neck and draw out part of the right-hand length to make a loop.
Step 6 Pass the left-hand end through that loop, going in from the outside.
Step 7 Draw the end through gently, keeping the loop in shape.
Step 8 Settle the knot and ease the fabric round your neck to give it some fullness.
2. The Full Wrap
Generous gathered layers close around the neck, with one fringed end falling at the front. A full, soft look for a coat or a simple knit.
8 steps
Tip: Steps 1 to 4 are the same as the Milan Wrap. Once you know one, you are halfway to the other.
Step 1 Hold the pashmina open by its top edge, ready to fold it in half along its length.
Step 2 Gather it loosely into a narrow band. Don’t smooth it flat.
Step 3 Hang it round your neck so the end on your left is about twice as long as the end on your right.
Step 4 Take the long left end once round your neck, so both ends hang at the front.
Step 5 Take the right-hand end across your chest and over your left shoulder to the back.
Step 6 Tuck that end firmly into the wrap at the back of your neck.
Step 7 Give the remaining end a light twist and tuck it into the wrap at the front, on your right.
Step 8 Draw a little of the tucked end back out, so the fringe falls at the front.
3. The Loop-Tie Wrap
The pashmina is folded to make a loop, then tied at one side with the fabric spread over the knot. A neat, polished look for work or a smart occasion.
7 steps
Tip: Set the knot a little to one side rather than dead centre. It looks softer and less formal.
Step 1 Hold the pashmina up and fold it in half across its width.
Step 2 Fold it in half again, end to end, so the fringed ends meet.
Step 3 Hang it round your neck with the folded end (no fringe) on your left and the fringed ends on your right, a little longer.
Step 4 Take the top layer of the fringed ends in your right hand. Reach into the loop on your left from the outside and pass that end through.
Step 5 Pull the end out through the loop.
Step 6 Tie it firmly to the other fringed end with a single knot.
Step 7 Spread the fabric to cover the knot, and move it slightly to one side.
4. The Triangle Wrap
Folded into a triangle and tied behind the neck, with the point falling at the front. A relaxed, slightly bold look that makes the pashmina the centre of a simple or casual outfit.
6 steps
Tip: Tie the double knot snugly but not tightly, so the folds at the front can hang softly.
Step 1 Fold the pashmina in half, bringing the fringed ends together.
Step 2 Fold it corner to corner into a triangle, and hold the two outer corners.
Step 3 Lay the triangle across your front with the point downwards, and take the corners over your shoulders to the back of your neck.
Step 4 Tie the corners at the back of your neck, then tie again to make a secure double knot.
Step 5 Straighten the triangle at the front.
Step 6 Arrange the folds around your neck.
5. The Simple Knot
One loose knot at the chest, with both ends hanging long. An easy, tidy look that suits almost any outfit, day or evening.
5 steps
Tip: Keep the first knot loose. If it is tight, the other end will not pass through.
Step 1 Hold the pashmina loosely so it gathers into a slightly narrower band.
Step 2 Hang it round your neck with both ends the same length.
Step 3 Tie a loose knot in the left-hand end, at about chest height.
Step 4 Pass the right-hand end through that knot and pull it through.
Step 5 Let one end hang slightly lower than the other, and shape the knot.
6. The Bow Wrap
A large, soft bow tied at the front. A pretty, feminine finish over a round-neck or polo-neck top.
7 steps
Tip: If the bow looks uneven, ease a little more fabric into the smaller loop rather than retying it.
Step 1 Fold the pashmina lengthways into a band about a quarter of its full width.
Step 2 Hang it round your neck with one end slightly longer than the other.
Step 3 Make a loop in the longer end, like the first loop of a bow.
Step 4 Hold the loop in one hand and bring the other end up from below.
Step 5 Wrap that end once all the way round the loop.
Step 6 Push the end through the knot you have just made to form the second loop.
Step 7 Shape the two loops of the bow and straighten the ends.
7. The Shoulder Wrap
Worn open across both shoulders and tied once at the front, like a light wrap. Lovely over a dress in the evening, or over a jumper at home.
4 steps
Tip: A single knot is easy to undo and retie if the sides slip during the evening.
Step 1 Fold over the top edge a little and hold the pashmina open across its width.
Step 2 Put it round your shoulders with the left side slightly longer.
Step 3 Tie the two sides together once, just below your chest.
Step 4 Spread the fabric over the knot to hide it, and adjust the drape.
Find a pashmina to wrap
These styles all work best with a stole (70 × 200 cm) or a shawl (90 × 200 cm). If you are choosing one, our pashmina guide compares the fabrics and sizes.