The Story Behind the Name: How Paisley Gave Its Pattern to the World

You’ve seen the swirls. You’ve worn the scarf. But do you know where the paisley pattern really comes from?

This iconic teardrop motif, seen on catwalks and concert stages across the globe, owes its very name to a small Scottish town with a big industrial legacy. This is the story of how Paisley, Scotland helped shape the fabric of global fashion.

1. From Persia to Paisley: The Origins of the Pattern

The pattern we now call “paisley” has deep roots in Persian and Indian design, where it was known as "boteh" or "buta." Symbolising life and eternity, the motif was traditionally woven into shawls and textiles in the Kashmir region.

By the late 18th and early 19th centuries, these luxurious shawls were being imported to Europe by the British East India Company. Demand quickly outstripped supply — and that’s where Paisley stepped in.

2. The Weaving Revolution in Paisley

In the early 1800s, Paisley’s skilled weavers began producing their own versions of the Kashmir shawls, using intricate jacquard looms and rich wool and silk blends. The designs were inspired by the originals, but adapted for European tastes.

By the 1830s, Paisley was the undisputed leader in producing these shawls. At its peak, over 6,000 handlooms operated in the town, and the name “Paisley” became inseparable from the style.

Unlike other towns that tried to imitate the style, only Paisley mastered it so completely that the pattern took on the town's name.

3. A Fashion Icon Is Born

By the mid-19th century, Paisley shawls were must-have fashion items across Europe. Queen Victoria herself was a fan. The patterns became more elaborate, with paisley designs often taking up the entire fabric.

Though mass production and changing fashion eventually slowed the shawl trade, the pattern lived on — evolving from fabric to symbol. It re-emerged in the psychedelic 1960s, worn by everyone from The Beatles to Hendrix.

Today, it’s everywhere: in haute couture, on high street clothing, and in brand identities from luxury to lifestyle.

4. More Than Just a Pattern: A Legacy of Innovation

What makes the paisley story remarkable is not just the design itself, but how a single Scottish town reshaped it for the world.

Paisley’s rise as a textile powerhouse created jobs, funded architecture, and built a civic pride that lasts to this day. The pattern is a reminder of global exchange, industrial ingenuity, and creative reinvention.

5. Discover the Pattern’s Home on Foot

You can still feel the echoes of this era in the town’s architecture, street names, and mills. But to truly connect with the history, you need to walk it.

Join a Paisley walking tour and discover how the pattern shaped not only fashion, but the town itself. From original mill buildings to weaving stories passed down through generations, this is where history is worn on every corner.

👉 Book your textile-themed tour today

Or browse all tours at www.paisleytours.org.uk/tours