Paisley is a decorative pattern, either printed or embroidered on fabric, featuring teardrop and swirling designs, placed in random directions. Its likely origins are from Persia. Typically adorned with silver and gold thread, it continues to be a popular element in traditional Iranian wedding garments.
Paisley fabric is commonly used in the production of ties, shirts, trousers, dresses, coats and scarves and made from silk, cotton and wool.
The name 'paisley' originates from the town of Paisley in the Lowlands of Scotland, which emerged as a prominent manufacturer of paisley shawls and fabrics during the eighteenth Century.
Within the realm of fashion, paisley gained popularity as an element of the Bohemian style prevalent in late-1960s London, characterised by the integration of Middle Eastern patterns and designs into maxi dresses and coats, for example.
Later, Yves Saint Laurent incorporated paisley into his opulent interpretation of the Russian peasant aesthetic in his late 1970s collections.
The renowned Italian fashion house Etro extensively features paisley designs in silk, while Liberty of London also employs paisley in cotton lawn and cotton poplin for both clothing and interior décor, establishing paisley as a distinctive element in their design aesthetic.
For an understanding of how you could best wear paisley patterns, please book a Body Type Style Analysis.