I mentioned in my trends analysis earlier this year that paisley patterns are having a fashion moment. Of course, paisley is always in style and defies the trends, but it’s nice to see it get a little extra love now and then.
Paisley is an ornamental textile design of Persian origin that uses a teardrop-shaped motif with a curved upper end. Although the teardrop shaped motif is of Persian origin, and the textile designs that cram many of them into a rich pattern are originally Indian, the English name for the pattern derives from the town of Paisley. That’s in the west of Scotland, where paisley designs were first produced.
You can find paisley on any wardrobe item, but the pattern is most popular in tops and dresses. It’s next most popular in skirts, pants, scarves and ties. The colours and scale of paisley patterns runs the gamut. Some patterns are spaced, and others tightly packed. Paisley can be combined with patterns like florals and geometric designs too. Paisley can create a quiet or loud visual effect, and can be worn year round in seasonally appropriate fabric. Paisley can be tonal, monochromatic, or multi-coloured.
Here are some examples.
I don’t wear paisley often, but like it and vote yay. It reminds me of the psychedelic patterns of the ‘60s, and of Prince in the ‘80s, which are amongst my favourite fashion eras. I don’t have paisley items in my wardrobe at the moment, but have happily worn them in the past. I like paisley best in the form of a patterned dress or pants, although I’m not opposed to a paisley top, scarf or skirt. I like the large scale spaced paisley patterns best, and across neutrals and non-neutrals. I like quiet and loud versions, as long as the colours are a match with my sartorial preferences.
Over to you. Do you like and wear paisley?
