Woven Shawls of Paisley Design 1800-1870

A shawl was the essential fashion accessory for nearly 100 years. Imitation Kashmir shawls were woven in Britain in Norwich, Edinburgh and Paisley. The Paisley manufacturers were so successful that the pattern became synonymous with the town, most shawls being called Paisley regardless of their place of manufacture. Spitalfields silk stoles were hugely popular during the early 19th century, worn with flimsy Regency dresses.