There’s something timeless about a pashmina in winter. Light on the shoulders yet wonderfully warm, it’s one of those rare pieces that feels indulgent while being extremely practical. More than just a cold-weather layer, a pashmina has the power to elevate even the simplest outfit effortlessly.
From Kendall Jenner’s latest paparazzi click catching her leaving the parking lot cloaked in a maroon pashmina shawl, to late Princess Diana’s bottle green head scarf moment, the Kashmiri heirloom has travelled across the globe to become a fashion staple in royal and runway wardrobes. Closer to celluloid, Jenifer Aniston, Angelina Jolie, and Leighton Meester in Gossip Girl have been spotted draped in the luxurious fabric for equal parts glam and warmth. If you have a pashmina lying in your closet, it’s time to take it out and beat the winter chill.
How to style it
When styling a pashmina, don’t think of it as an afterthought, says Mangalore-based fashion designer Kshama Pandit, suggesting to treat it as a statement accessory that adds depth, texture, and character to your look.
According to her, one of the most classic ways to wear it is the simple shoulder drape — letting it fall naturally over both shoulders, just like Kendall Jenner (in the feature image). In the Indian context, this works beautifully with structured coats, knitwear, or traditional outfits like sarees and salwar suits. “It’s understated, elegant, and perfect for formal evenings or intimate winter gatherings,” said the founder of Label Kshama Pandit
For everyday wear, she suggested giving traditional styling a modern twist. “Belt your pashmina at the waist to create a cape-like silhouette, and it instantly defines your shape while keeping you warm without feeling bulky,” she advised, adding that this style pairs effortlessly with dresses, denim, or even workwear, making it ideal for women who want comfort without compromising on polish.
Diana and Leighton in pashmina. (Source: Instagram/@chaandtara)
Pandit believes layering is where pashmina styling really comes alive.
Just like Blair Waldorf (Meester’s character from Gossip Girl), wrap it loosely around your neck for a cosy, voluminous scarf look, or experiment with asymmetrical drapes where one end falls longer over the shoulder for a more contemporary feel, she said. On days you want to play with colour, layering two pashminas in complementary tones adds visual interest while keeping the look refined.
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Colour and texture make all the difference, the designer added.
Jewel tones bring richness to neutral winter wardrobes, while embroidered or patterned pashminas add a festive touch for evenings and celebrations. Take a cue from Princess Diana’s emerald fabric and pick a bold shade to let the textile do all the talking.
Bhavisha Singh, Costume Designer & Founder of Turban said, “If you own a solid pashmina shawl, they are perfect for colour blocking: draped over monochrome winter looks, layered with contrasting separates, or styled creatively into a poncho-style wrap.” There are endless ways to tie, drape, or fold it, allowing it to adapt seamlessly to both casual and elevated wardrobes.
Intricately detailed pashmina shawls can be styled with minimal basics like neutral co-ord sets, ribbed dresses, high-neck sweaters, or woollen midi dresses, Singh recommended, adding that they also layer beautifully under long trench coats, over structured jackets, or even loosely wrapped around winter dresses.
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At its heart, a pashmina is about comfort. Warm yet breathable, luxurious yet easy to wear, it’s the kind of winter essential you reach for again and again. “The idea is to let the shawl lead, while the rest of the outfit quietly supports it,’ concluded Singh.
