shawl period

fashion

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July 13, 2026

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The "shawl period" refers to the fashion era between approximately 1800 and 1870, when shawls were a ubiquitous accessory for women in Europe and America. Dresses during this time were often thin and low-cut, making shawls a practical and stylish necessity, worn over the shoulders or neck.1

The popularity of shawls surged in Europe after Napoleon's return from Egypt in 1798, with imports from Kashmir, India, being particularly prized. These were made from the fine fleece of Tibetan goats, known as pashm. To meet demand, machine-made shawls, like the Paisley shawl from Scotland, were produced as adaptations of Indian designs. By the mid-20th century, efforts were made to revive the traditional Kashmir shawl industry.12

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shawl
…was known as the “shawl period” because women in Europe and America wore shawls with almost all their clothing. At the beginning of that century, shawls were a necessity in a fashionable woman’s wardrobe because dresses were thin and décolleté; it was a sign of gentility to wear a…
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…was known as the “shawl period” because women in Europe and America wore shawls with almost all their clothing. At the beginning of that century, shawls were a necessity in a fashionable woman’s wardrobe because dresses were thin and décolleté; it was a sign of gentility to wear a…
Read More