Bridesmaid Style: Pashminas, The Perfect Accessory

A pashmina scarf is a versatile accessory that can be styled in numerous ways to complement your bridesmaid dress. Whether you're seeking warmth, elegance, or a unique fashion statement, there are various methods to don this luxurious garment. From the conventional drape over the shoulders to more creative styles like the elbow grace, the knot, the kite, or even the Indian style, a pashmina scarf can be folded, tied, or draped to add a touch of grace to your ensemble. With its handmade craftsmanship and meticulous processes, a pashmina scarf is a piece of luxury that elevates any bridesmaid dress, making it a popular choice for weddings and formal events.

Wear it on your shoulders

Wearing a pashmina scarf draped over your shoulders is a classic and elegant look. This style is perfect for bridesmaids who want to add a touch of luxury to their outfit while still being able to move around freely. Here are some ways to wear a pashmina scarf on your shoulders:

The Elbow Grace: Drape the pashmina across your shoulders, letting it fall gracefully over your elbows. This style is effortless, elegant, and will keep you warm during the wedding.

The Single Loop: Wear the scarf across your neck and place one end on the opposite shoulder, letting the rest of the scarf drape down your back. This style is easy to wear and fix, making it a quick and stylish option for busy bridesmaids.

The Cape Style: Drape the scarf across your shoulders and bring the ends to the front, tying them in a knot. This style is especially flattering when paired with a gown, creating a graceful silhouette.

The Indian Style: Drape the ends of the scarf over both your shoulders, letting them hang down your back. This style complements a maxi or midi dress beautifully and adds a touch of cultural flair to your outfit.

The Evening Drape: Hold the shorter end of the pashmina, letting it taper down, and place it over your shoulders. Wear it with an elegant evening gown to add a touch of sophistication to your look.

The Shrug Style: Fold one corner of the pashmina to the centre and repeat on the other side. Slide your arms through the armholes created by the folds. This style is perfect for busy bridesmaids who need their arms free while still looking stylish.

Wear it around your arms

Wearing a pashmina scarf around your arms is a great way to keep warm and look elegant

Put it on your shoulders and tie it at the back

One way to wear a pashmina scarf with your bridesmaid dress is to put it on your shoulders and tie it at the back. This style is simple yet elegant and is sure to keep you warm during the wedding. It is also a unique way to wear a pashmina, as most people simply drape it over their shoulders.

To achieve this look, first, drape the pashmina over your shoulders, allowing it to fall gracefully onto your elbows. This will give you an effortless and elegant look as you walk down the aisle or move around during the wedding. Then, take the ends of the pashmina and bring them to the front of your body. Secure them with a simple knot at the front, or bring them around to the back and tie them into a knot or a bow. You can also secure the ends with a decorative brooch for a more formal look.

If you want to add a creative twist to this style, you can fold the pashmina in different ways before putting it on your shoulders. For example, you can fold it lengthwise a few times and then fold it widthwise once before draping it over your shoulders and tying it at the back. This will give it a more structured look. Alternatively, you can scrunch up the pashmina before draping it over your shoulders and tying it at the back, creating a more relaxed and casual look.

This style of wearing a pashmina scarf with your bridesmaid dress is not only practical but also versatile. It can be adjusted to suit your comfort level and personal style. Whether you prefer a neat and structured look or a more relaxed and effortless look, this style can be adapted accordingly. So, if you're looking for a way to wear a pashmina scarf that is both functional and fashionable, consider putting it on your shoulders and tying it at the back.

Wear it around your neck and wrap it

There are many ways to wear a pashmina scarf with your bridesmaid dress, and one of the most popular ways is to wear it around your neck and wrap it. Here are some ways to do this:

The Single Loop

This is a classic and timeless style that is super simple to follow. Simply wear the scarf across your neck and place one end of the scarf on the opposite shoulder, allowing the rest of the scarf to fall gracefully across your back. This style is not only easy to wear but also easy to fix if it drops or spoils its folds.

The Knot

For this style, fold your pashmina scarf twice or thrice lengthwise, and then fold it widthwise and tie it into a loop across your neck. If your scarf has fringes, pass the fringed ends through the loops and adjust. This style is elegant and is sure to turn heads.

The French Knot

The French knot is an impeccable way to add a dash of colour to your bridesmaid dress. Fold your pashmina scarf lengthwise once and then twice. Then, make a fold widthwise. Loop it gracefully around your neck and tuck one of the fringed ends into the loop. Adjust the other end through the front and back through the loop. This style is sophisticated and can be done in under a minute!

The Waterfall Style

The waterfall style is perfect if your dress is plain in the front and needs more coverage, or if you need something to keep you warm. Loop your pashmina scarf around your neck with both ends tapering down towards your navel. Take one end of the scarf, tuck it into the loop you've created, and secure it with a safety pin. Let the rest of the scarf cascade like a waterfall. This style is comfortable and eye-pleasing.

Wear it as a headscarf

If you're having a bad hair day, a pashmina scarf can be a real lifesaver. Place it over your head and knot the ends at the nape of your neck, or let it drape loosely around your shoulders. You can also pull off your pashmina scarf as a bandana. Just fold it twice and tie it around your hair – very 80s!

• The Classic Grace: Fold a square scarf in half diagonally to make a triangle. Place the scarf on your head so the centre of the folded edge lays an inch or two behind your hairline, and the point of the triangle hangs down your back. Then, tie the ends under your chin. You can either knot the scarf or loosely tie it, and choose whether to let the ends hang down at the front or neatly tuck them into the collar of your coat.
• The Glamorous Back Tie: Follow the instructions for The Classic Grace, but instead of tying the ends under your chin, cross the ends and bring them back to the nape of your neck before making a knot. You can then either let the ends hang down your back or tuck them into the collar of your coat.
• The Preppy Headband: Fold the scarf diagonally into a triangle, making sure the ends line up. Take the point of the triangle and fold it into the centre, leaving about two inches of space between the point and the straight folded edge of the scarf. Moving from left to right, fold until you have one long strip that’s about three inches wide. Place the strip a couple of inches behind your hairline, checking that the ends hang evenly, and then knot the ends at the nape of your neck, under your hair. For a 70s look, push the front of the scarf forward so it sits on your forehead, and tie the ends at the back of your head over your hair. You can pull some hair out at the front to frame your face.
• The Knotted Headband: For this modern twist on the preppy headband, follow the instructions above but stop once you’ve folded the scarf into a headband-shape strip. Then, make a knot in the centre of the scarf and place the smooth side of the knot in the middle of your hairline, allowing a couple of inches of hair to show. Make sure the ends of the scarf are even, and then tie the ends in a double knot at the nape of your neck, under the length of your hair.

Frequently asked questions