How to Choose a Goat-Down Warm Shawl

Despite the large number of knitted and fur hats, many ladies prefer the traditional headwear of Russian women – a cosy down shawl.

Soft, fluffy and very attractive shawls of natural down remain in demand as before. They protect not only the head from the cold but also the neck and shoulders of their owner. If the shawl is large, it also warms the back and chest. However, before you buy a women's shawl, it is worth learning about the "pitfalls" of the long-awaited purchase. Today we will tell you how to choose a goat-down shawl.

Beware of fakes!

When going to a market for a shawl, be especially careful. Small traders take no responsibility for the quality of goods bought from them. After all, the buyer will have neither a receipt nor any other proof of buying the shawl from that particular seller.

Never buy a combed-up down shawl. Firstly, even a good-quality item loses its positive qualities after intensive combing. The down fibres break during combing, and very quickly the originally fluffy shawl begins to lose its "hair". Secondly, a seller confident in the quality of the shawl will never spoil it. Thirdly, visible fluffiness may hide flaws in the item.

How to choose a down shawl at the market?

A smooth-talking trader, convincing you of the quality of his goods, may point to their one-hundred-percent naturalness. As in: "My shawl is 100 percent goat down. Don't believe me? Look at my neighbour's! His shawls are half cotton; you can even see the extra thread."

An inexperienced person goes to the neighbouring seller and sees that, on close inspection, a foreign thread really is visible behind the down. Convinced that the first trader was right, he returns and exchanges his hard-earned money for a down shawl. After a month of wear, the new shawl becomes unusable.

And it all seems logical: if goat down makes the shawl warm, there should be as much of it as possible. But it is not that simple…

The "foreign" thread is the binding element. Most often it is silk and securely holds the finest down fibres around itself. Remember that no shawl is knitted from down alone. Even the best shawl is supplemented with at least 20 percent other natural raw material. This greatly improves the wear resistance of the down item. The optimal down content of a shawl is 70–80 percent!

Don't be shy about trying it on!

Above all, the woman must like the shawl. How can she like it without trying it on? Of course you should examine the down item, even critically. Naturally, it should be pleasing to the eye. But a shawl is worn, so, like other headwear, the item should be tried on before buying. And let the sellers say that the shawl is one size and will suit any beauty. Go ahead, throw the shawl on and look in the mirror!

A shawl that looks good may turn out to be too heavy or prickly, or keep slipping off your head. In addition, the colour of the shawl is of great importance. Women know very well that some colours suit them and some are categorically contraindicated. Trying it on will dispel all doubts. Looking at herself in the mirror, a woman will understand whether this is the shawl that will make her attractive and add charm, tenderness or mystery.

How to choose the colour of a shawl?

As for the colour of a down shawl, it is better to choose one that goes with several kinds of outerwear at once. A down shawl may be needed both in winter and in the off-season. For this reason, consider how its colour combines with a winter coat or fur coat as well as with a jacket or a light coat. The colour range of down shawls is quite wide: dark grey, brown and white, pink and blue, green and lilac. There is plenty to choose from!

But remember that blue and red down, of course, do not exist in nature. The natural colours of Orenburg goat down are ecru (cream with a slight yellow tinge) and deep grey (the colour of the granny shawls familiar to us since childhood). Items in these shades can rightly be called "natural". Bleaching and subsequent dyeing of the down, especially when done in makeshift conditions, may not have the best effect on the consumer qualities of the shawl.

White can be considered universal. It goes perfectly with any other plain colour. It ennobles and freshens an everyday outfit, making it dressy and festive. However, white may not suit multicoloured prints. Here each lady must decide for herself what to wear the shawl with and how.

Which shawl to choose – dense or openwork?

The "warmth component" of a shawl varies depending on how it is knitted. The denser the knitting, the warmer and heavier the shawl. The larger and more beautiful the pattern, the more convenient it is to use the shawl for its purpose at outdoor temperatures close to zero. In twenty degrees of frost, it is better to cover your head with something more reliable than an openwork shawl.

Having weighed up all the nuances, you will make the right choice and will wear a warm, soft and very beautiful shawl with pleasure!

Still have questions? Contact our consultant, who will gladly share extensive knowledge of down items with you.