Cashmere vs Pashmina: Why the Confusion Persists — and What You’re Really Buying
Few words in fashion are as softly spoken — and as frequently misunderstood — as cashmere and pashmina. Used interchangeably on labels, market stalls, and luxury websites alike, the two terms have become blurred by decades of romantic storytelling and loose marketing. Yet, in reality, they are not quite the same thing.
Understanding the difference matters — not just for price, but for longevity, wearability, and how a piece fits into modern life.
The Origin Story: Same Fibre Family, Different Meanings
Let’s start with the most important clarification: pashmina is a specific, traditional subset of cashmere, not a separate fibre. In other words, pashmina is cashmere — but it refers to a particular origin, fineness, and (traditionally) a particular way of making.
What “Pashmina” Traditionally Means
True pashmina has deep roots in Himalayan craft. Traditionally, it comes from the undercoat of Changthangi goats in the Himalayan region (including Ladakh, Nepal, and Kashmir), where harsh winters encourage the growth of exceptionally fine fibres.
- Origin: Changthangi goats in the Himalayan region (Ladakh, Nepal, Kashmir)
- Fineness: Extremely fine fibres, often 12–14 microns
- Craft: Traditionally hand-spun and hand-woven
- Best for: Shawls and scarves rather than structured garments
- Availability: Rare, produced in very small quantities
Because true pashmina is so fine and traditionally woven (rather than knitted), it’s prized for its featherlight softness. But it’s also more delicate — and not usually the most practical choice for everyday knitwear.
Inner Mongolian Cashmere: The Gold Standard of Modern Cashmere
When most people talk about cashmere sweaters, cardigans, beanies, and everyday essentials, they’re typically referring to cashmere sourced and processed at scale — and the benchmark here is Inner Mongolian cashmere.
This is often considered the gold standard of modern cashmere because it balances softness with durability and consistency — the qualities that matter most when you’re wearing a piece week after week.
- Origin: Cashmere goats raised in Inner Mongolia (China)
- Fibre quality: Known for longer fibre length and consistent fineness
- Fineness: Typically 14–16 microns — soft, yet durable
- Best for: Knitwear such as sweaters, cardigans, and beanies (often more resistant to pilling over time)
- Reliability: Highly scalable with strong, reliable quality control
This is why many premium knitwear brands (including those that work with renowned mills) rely on Inner Mongolian cashmere for pieces designed to be lived in — not just admired.
Why the Confusion Still Happens
Part of the confusion is that the word pashmina has become a catch-all in modern retail. It’s sometimes used to describe cashmere blends, fine wool blends, or even non-cashmere scarves. The result is a gap between expectation and reality: shoppers may expect a rare Himalayan fibre and receive something entirely different.
In today’s market, the most practical approach is to look beyond the label and ask a few simple questions: Where is the fibre sourced? What is it made from? Is it a woven shawl or a knitted garment? And is it described transparently?
Which Should You Choose?
It comes down to lifestyle:
- If you’re looking for something delicate, artisanal, and traditionally woven — a true heirloom wrap — authentic pashmina is special.
- If you want softness you can wear often, with a beautiful balance of comfort and longevity — especially in sweaters and everyday layers — Inner Mongolian cashmere is the smarter choice.
The Modern Luxury of Clarity
In an industry where language is often used to inflate value, transparency has become the new luxury. Knowing what you’re buying allows you to choose pieces that align with your life — not just a romantic label.
Because at its best, cashmere isn’t about hype. It’s about warmth, softness, and that quietly satisfying feeling of choosing well — season after season.