Just recently, I discovered the Paisley Shawl from Paisley, Strathclyde County, Scotland while watching an episode of
Who do you think are. They were copied from the Kashmir by the Scottish weavers which was famous all over Asia. The original Kashmir shawl might take three people up to a year to make and therefore was very costly. Beginning in 1800, the production of the famous shawls lasted for about 70 years and then the company went out of business. The shawls were mass produced, which was then affordable to those who couldn't pay the high price of the original.
"On her first trip to Scotland, Queen Victoria wore one of these
handsome paisley shawls -- an act of royal courtesy, but one which
enhanced the British textile trade and the wearing of paisley shawls. It
has been told that the Scottish shawl gave a husband, badgered by his
wife for an Indian cashmere one, the opportunity to say, "The paisley
shawl is good enough for Queen Victoria. Certainly it is good enough for
you."
In the early 1900's, the shawls became decorative pieces for pianos, table tops, vests, skirts, handbags, pillows, or wall hangings. I have always loved the pattern and have several garments with the Kashmir or Paisley pattern on them. But my favorite is a shawl that I have had for a long time made of light wool with red, green, blue, and black in the pattern. You wouldn't think that it would keep you warm since it is so light, but amazingly it does.
As I began to search the internet I found lots of garments with the beautiful Paisley pattern. Would you ever consider wearing something that isn't really "in" style at the time but you like it well enough to not care what others are wearing? I really like the coat above and wouldn't hesitate wearing it. I don't know about you, but I think that clothing from the early 1900's was very classy and elegant.
Sources: The Paisley Shawl written by
Edward Harrison and
the Christian Science Monitor:
Antique Paisley Shawls can adorn a wall, complement country clothes.
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