Paisley Shawls – The Ancient Boteh, Hand-Embroidered in Kashmir
"Your paisley shawls are unlike any I've seen in four months of searching. They take me right back to the sixties and seventies, when paisley was part of everything I wore." — D.V., Los Angeles, California
The Story of the Paisley Motif
The teardrop curl we call "paisley" was born in Kashmir centuries ago as the boteh — a stylised cypress-and-blossom motif symbolising life, growth, and renewal. It travelled the Silk Road into Persia and, by the 18th and 19th centuries, into Europe, where the Scottish town of Paisley mass-produced imitations and lent the pattern the name it carries in English today. But the original — hand-embroidered on Kashmiri pashmina — has never been equalled. Every paisley shawl in this collection carries that unbroken lineage.
A Pattern for Every Occasion
Few motifs are as versatile. A paisley shawl dresses an outfit up or down with equal ease:
- Draped over a coat for an elegant daytime look
- Across the shoulders of an evening gown
- As a wedding-guest or occasion wrap
- Knotted loosely for effortless everyday luxury
From subtle tonal borders to bold all-over designs, the paisley suits every taste — which is why it has reinvented itself across centuries and never gone out of style.
"My wife forced me to visit your site — she was totally enthralled by your paisley shawls and wanted one for her birthday. You didn't let me down. Thanks." — D.R., Annapolis, Maryland
Hand-Embroidered Paisley on Pashmina & Cashmere
Each paisley shawl is worked by hand in the Kashmir Valley on pure Himalayan fibre, the boteh embroidered stitch by stitch over months:
- Pure pashmina and cashmere paisley shawls
- Richly bordered and all-over boteh designs
- Classic and contemporary colourways
- One of a kind — no two alike
For the grandest all-over paisley weaving, see our Jamawar Shawls; for the full range, explore our Shawl Collections.
"I didn't think you'd ship all the way to Europe, but my shawl arrived faster than I expected. Thanks!" — L.M., Amsterdam, Netherlands
Why Choose Kashmir Seasons for Your Paisley Shawl?
- The authentic Kashmiri boteh, hand-embroidered — not a printed imitation
- Pure pashmina, cashmere, and fine wool
- One-of-a-kind pieces, each with its own character
- Heirloom quality, made to be kept and passed down
- Every purchase helps preserve a centuries-old craft
A paisley shawl from Kashmir Seasons carries a motif that has travelled continents and centuries to reach your shoulders — a piece of living heritage you will treasure for years to come. Looking for a gift? Explore our Gifts for Her.