Paisley prints look fun, exciting, colorful and whimsical. One might even describe paisley fabrics as magical and dreamy.
Paisley print pandemonium!
The Paisley pattern is a term for a design using the ‘buta’ or ‘botch’, a droplet-shaped vegetable motif of Persian origin. Buta is an almond-shaped ornament with a sharp-curved upper edge. Such designs became very popular in the West in the 18th and 19th centuries, following imports of post-Mughal versions of the design from India, especially in the form of Kashmir shawls, and were then imitated locally.
Resembling a twisted teardrop, the fig-shaped paisley is of Persian origin, but its western name derives from the town of Paisley, in West Scotland, a center for textiles where paisley designs were produced. Some design scholars believe it is the convergence of a stylized floral spray and a cypress tree: a Zoroastrian symbol of life and eternity.
Paisley Print Fun Fact: The floral motif was originated in the Sassanid Dynasty and later in the Safavid Dynasty of Persia (from 1501 to 1736), and was a major textile pattern in Iran during the Qajar and Pahlavi Dynasties. In these periods, the pattern was used to decorate royal regalia, crowns, and court garments, as well as textiles used by the general population.
Imports from the East India Company in the first half of the 17th century made paisley and other Indian patterns popular, and the Company was unable to import enough to meet the demand. Paisley was popular in the Baltic states between 1700 and 1800 and was thought to be used as a protective charm to ward off evil demons. Local manufacturers in Marseilles began to mass-produce the paisley patterns via early textile printing processes in 1640.
My oh my, when dressed in paisley prints you’ll get noticed walking by!
Paisley Park Fun Fact: Known around the world, the paisley pattern is a popular, colorful, youthful looking pattern. In addition to a fabulous fashion fabric, Paisley Park is known worldwide for music superstar Prince’s record label and recording studio, as well as living quarters.  Paisley Park was funded in part by Warner Bros. Records. It was started in 1985, following the success of a film and album Purple Rain. Paisley Park was opened to the public as a museum and memorial to Prince following his death on April 21, 2016.
Prince performing in paisley prints! Music and style icon!
Paisley Prints Fun Fact: Paisley fabrics/prints became identified with psychedelic style due to a resurgence in the pattern’s mainstream popularity leading up to the mid and late 1960s. Of particular note is the influence of The Beatles. The style was particularly popular during the Summer of Love 1967. Fender Guitars made a Pink Paisley version of their Telecaster guitar, by sticking paisley wallpaper onto the guitar bodies.
Create a fashion stint in a powerful paisley print!
Paisley Print Fun Fact: At the 2010 Winter Olympics, Azerbaijan’s team sported colorful paisley trousers. Paisley was also a favorite design element of architect Laurie Baker. He has made numerous drawings and collages of what he called ‘mango designs’. He also used to include the paisley shape in the buildings he designed.
The modern French words for paisley are boteh, cachemire and palme, palme being a reference to the palm tree, which along with the pine tree and cypress tree, is one of the traditional botanical motifs thought to have influenced the shape of the paisley element as it is now known.
Often psychedelic, always fun, dressing in paisley prints offers excitement and style for everyone!
Paisley Print Fun Fact: In addition to the loom-woven fabric, Paisley became a major site for the manufacturer of printed cotton and wool in the 19th century, according to the Scotland’s Paisley Museum and Art Gallery. The paisley pattern was being printed, rather than woven, on to other textiles, including cotton squares which were the precursors of the modern bandana. The key places of printing paisley were Britain and the Alsace region of France.
We tip our paisley hats off around the globe for paisley fashions of dresses, skirts, pantsuits, shorts, blazers, pajamas and robes!
Don’t be late, don’t hesitate. Jumping on the paisley bandwagon will add energy and glamour to any diva fashion plate!
The paisley pattern remains popular in many countries. Paisley is woven using gold or silver threads on silk and high quality textiles for gifts, for weddings and special occasions.
Feel special and oh so sensational when draped in paisley. A true fashion professional!
Whether you’re bored with nothing to do, or so busy that you’re stressed, treat yourself to something special and buy a paisley pantsuit or dress!
“Pardon me, but I clearly see that you look adorable dressed in the perfect paisley.”
“Why thank you. I am fond of many prints and patterns, but paisley is number one for me.”
“The fabulous colors, the busy print and the beautiful shape will catch everyone’s eye.”
“Yes. I noticed that by the number of people that have stopped me as I walked on by.”
“As lovely as you look makes me what to go buy some paisley print garments of my own.”
“Go paisley and you’ll never take the clothes off. Not outside; not even in your own home.”
Leave the home draped in paisley prints: put the fashion suggestion to the test! I see a definite “A” coming your way!
Nancy’s next book in her award winning murder mystery series, Deadly Decisions – A Natalie North Novel, available now in online and retail bookstores.
Nancy Mangano is an American fashion journalist, screenwriter and author of the Natalie North murder mystery book series, A Passion for Prying, Murder Can Be Messy and Deadly Decisions – A Natalie North Novel. Visit Nancy on her author website http://www.nancymangano.com, Twitter @https://twitter.com/nancymangano, her fashion magazine Strutting in Style! at http://www.struttinginstyle.com, and her Facebook fan page Nancy Mangano https://www.facebook.com/pages/Nancy-Mangano/362187023895846
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STRUTTING IN STYLE! NANCY MANGANO'S FASHION/STYLE/BEAUTY BONANZA 