How do I care for my shawl?

Hand-washing and dry cleaning are the most common ways to care for and clean shawls. Many of our alpaca shawls specifically indicate dry-cleaning or hand-washing with cold water. Because shawls are delicate, a garment bag is a good way to prevent damage. Avoid direct sunlight and high heat. As always, it is important to follow the care instructions specific to the fabric of your shawl.

The great thing about shawls is that they are versatile. One can find a shawl for every season. Warmth is often based on the tightness of the weave and the type of material used. Alpaca fiber is known for its thermal capacity and provides an optimal degree of warmth. Sheep wool also acts as an insulator, absorbing moisture and creating a feeling of coziness for the wearer. Shawls made of cashmere and pashmina are light and thin, yet still provide a high degree of warmth. In Mexico, shawls made from San Juan Chamula sheep keep one warm and comfortable.

What shawls are most comfortable?

Comfort is always a question of preference, but certain fabrics lend themselves to softness and warmth. Shawls from the Andes are made from super soft alpaca fibers, and provide wearers a high level of comfort. Similarly, in Thailand and Bali, silk shawls are always favorites. Depending on ones climate, particular shawls may be preferable. Central American shawls made from cotton and rayon keep wearers cool in warm climates, whereas bamboo and acrylic shawls are great for cold weather. During hot summers, Indian shawls made of modal, silk, and viscose are a perfect option, and merino wool and cashmere are ideal for winter. West Africa stands by the luxurious comfort of their 100% cotton shawls, and Mexico prioritizes comfort with their beautiful wool designs.

Are your shawls handmade?

It depends on what you mean by handmade. We support artisans who work in the ancient traditions of their ancestors, crafting items by hand, with patience and love. But techniques vary among shawl makers. Embroidery, hand-painting, stitching, and sewing are often part of the process. Some artisans do use power looms when crafting their shawls, but even in those instances, there is no mega-factory or mass production line behind the garment. The beauty, creativity, and inspiration for each shawl comes from the artists own heart. Our product descriptions will always specify if an item is hand-woven, hand-knit, or otherwise.

Are there any common motifs or designs used in traditional shawls?

The shawl comes to us full of history, culture, and heritage. Each region invests its shawls with different symbols, patterns, and designs. Some shawls, like those in West Africa and the Andes, feature linear and geometric shapes, clean lines and patterns that have been passed down through the centuries. In Bali, we find elaborate batik designs, a technique that makes use of alternating dye and wax to block color. In Central America, embroidered and woven shawls incorporate designs inspired by corn, butterflies, and birds. Floral patterns are very popular in Indian shawls, particularly in pashminas from Kashmir. Gujarati shawls often depict geometric shapes, and artisans increasingly incorporate contemporary designs through hand-painted fabric. Thailand also integrates floral patterning, often using the yok dok technique, a brocade style that leaves the fabric slightly raised. This emphasis on brocade is also evident in Mexican shawls, with lavish designs in the form of frets, flowers and geometric figures, all inspired by pre-Hispanic cultures.

What materials are used to make shawls?

Fibers, dyes, and fabrics come together in innovative, unique ways during the creation of a shawl. Different regions rely on resources that are readily available and have cultural significance. In West Africa, 100% cotton and rayon frequently make their appearances in shawls. In Bali and Thailand, soft silk lends a luxuriousness to the shawl. Central American artisans incorporate bamboo rayon, while India makes use of wool and silk. Mexico boasts an array of vibrant natural and cotton yarn dyes, and artisans from the Andes weave shawls out of soft alpaca fiber.

What are the most popular methods for making traditional shawls?

Throughout the world, the shawl is considered a venerated garment, made by hand from techniques passed down through generations. The methods for making traditional shawls vary as widely as the regions from which they come. But most employ some method of hand knitting or weaving on a loom. In the Andes, for example, crocheting and flat weaving on a treadle loom are common techniques. In Central America, backstrap and foot looms are popular with artisans. In Bali, one finds intricate sewing, in addition to weaving. And in India and Thailand, practices of hand-painting fabric, batik, and the use of natural dyes are intimately tied to the creation of shawls.

Shawls Bohemian at NOVICA

Nature's Ethereal Inspiration, Guatemalan Rayon Shawl

K'amolon K'i K'ojonel

(218)

$144.99 Wholesale

$144.99
Bestseller

Andean Valley Flower, Hand Woven Baby Alpaca Blend Shawl from Peru

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$104.49 Wholesale

~~$109.99~~ $104.49
Bestseller

Mountain Rainbow, Multi-Color Striped Baby Alpaca Blend Hand-woven Scarf

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$75.99 Wholesale

~~$79.99~~ $75.99
Crossed Beauties, Artisan-Made Beige and Black Patterned Fringed Wool Shawl

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
The Tides, Artisan-Made Striped Soft Alpaca Blend Shawl Woven in Peru

Ulloa Family

(31)

$137.99 Wholesale

$137.99
Purple Reflecting Pools, Silk Tie Dye Shawl

Vinita

(739)

$77.99 Wholesale

$77.99
Bestseller

Breeze of Blue Purple, Hand Woven Cotton Shawl Thai Blue Purple Wrap

Vinita

(739)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Café & Finesse, Fringed 100% Wool Shawl in a Brown and Ivory Ombre Palette

Shahid

(16)

$54.99 Wholesale

$54.99
Sunset Dessert, Ombre-Palette Striped Wool Shawl in Pink and Orange Hues

Shahid

(16)

$54.99 Wholesale

$54.99
Earthy Muse, Earthy-Toned Ombre-Patterned 100% Wool Shawl from India

Shahid

(16)

$54.99 Wholesale

$54.99
Bestseller

Bubble Saga, Bubble-Patterned Indigo and Azure Embroidered Wool Shawl

Shahid

(16)

$64.99 Wholesale

$64.99
Periwinkle Sweet, Indian-Made Ombre-Patterned Blue and Brown 100% Wool Shawl

Shahid

(16)

$46.74 Wholesale

~~$54.99~~ $46.74
Spring Green Dame, Spring Green Ombre-Patterned 100% Wool Shawl from India

Shahid

(16)

$46.74 Wholesale

~~$54.99~~ $46.74
Bestseller

Ocean Summer, Silk Batik Shawl in Yellow and Purple Hues Made in Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$67.99 Wholesale

$67.99
Majestic Paisley, Paisley Floral-Themed Reversible Jamawar Jacquard Wool Shawl

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$42.49 Wholesale

~~$49.99~~ $42.49
Bestseller

Botanical Elegance, Floral Leaf-Themed Reversible Wool Shawl in Orange and Blue

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$47.49 Wholesale

~~$49.99~~ $47.49
Bestseller

Breeze of Brown Purple, Hand Spun Cotton Shawl Wrap in Brown Purple and Pink

Vinita

(739)

$22.09 Wholesale

~~$25.99~~ $22.09
Bestseller

Breeze of Nature, Natural Cotton Hand Woven Shawl Wrap from Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$25.99 Wholesale

$25.99
Crimson Elegance, Reversible Wool Shawl in Red with Floral Leaf Paisley Motifs

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$42.49 Wholesale

~~$49.99~~ $42.49
Bestseller

Verdant Blooms, Floral Geometric-Themed Reversible Wool Shawl in Green Hues

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$47.49 Wholesale

~~$49.99~~ $47.49
New Arrival

Appealing Blue, Modern Bohemian Fringed 100% Wool Shawl in a Blue Palette

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$34.99 Wholesale

$34.99
Colorful Thai River, Purple and Green Tie Dyed Silk Shawl from Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Sweet Fusion, Multicolor Striped 100% Silk Reversible Shawl with Fringes

Khitish

(31)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Paisley Garden, Paisley-Themed Reversible Jamawar Wool Shawl with Fringes

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$49.99 Wholesale

$49.99
Teal Reflecting Pools, Thai Artisan Crafted Teal and Blue Tie Dyed Silk Shawl

Vinita

(739)

$59.99 Wholesale

$59.99
Russet Lengko, Lengko-Patterned 100% Silk Batik Shawl in Russet and Blue

Melati's Collection

(86)

$159.99 Wholesale

$159.99
Kashmir at Night, Folk Art Floral Printed Onyx Black 100% Modal Fringed Shawl

Shahid

(16)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99
Magical Breeze, Handcrafted Purple and Burgundy Batik Rayon Shawl from Java

Erna Gendhis

$57.99 Wholesale

$57.99
Kashmir Paradise, Classic Printed Sage-Toned Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

Saqib Khan

(2)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99
Pink Reflecting Pools, Tie Dye Silk Shawl

Vinita

(739)

$77.99 Wholesale

$77.99
Narrow Night Paths, Black & White Backstrap Woven Embroidered Rebozo Shawl

Lorenza Perez

(2)

$107.99 Wholesale

$107.99
Harmonious Fusion, Fringed 100% Silk Reversible Shawl with Colorful Stripes

Khitish

(31)

$39.99 Wholesale

$39.99
Ginger Spice, Grey Ivory Orange Backstrap Woven Embroidered Rebozo Shawl

Lorenza Perez

(2)

$91.79 Wholesale

~~$107.99~~ $91.79
Orange Dance, 100% Silk Orange and Green Shawl from Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$89.99 Wholesale

$89.99
Flames & Fashion, Handmade Orange and Red Tie-dyed Silk Scarf with Fringes

Vinita

(739)

$69.99 Wholesale

$69.99
Kashmir at Morning, Nature-Themed Floral Printed Ivory 100% Modal Fringed Shawl

Shahid

(16)

$47.99 Wholesale

$47.99

Featured Reviews

Cotton shawl, 'Breeze of Blue Purple'

Christina

Oct 3, 2020

Awesome Scarf

Bought this for my son. He loves colour and texture, and that's hard to find in men's scarves. The scarf is exactly as pictured and described. Colour is even nicer in hand. Cotton is such a versitle material that he will be able to wear it all year round. I know he's going to love it.

Pretty Lavender Shawl

Silk shawl, 'Teal Reflecting Pools'

Pauline

Jan 8, 2021

Amazing colours

Bought this for a Christmas gift for a friend and she loves it very much. The blue colours brighten up her skin and she looks amazing

Funky

Shawls

Baby alpaca blend shawl, 'Andean Valley Flower'

Raquel

Jan 31, 2024

A Shawl of Extraordinary Beauty

My 'Andean valley flower' shawl arrived today. It is stunning. The richness and arrangement of colours is unmatched. It is delicate, soft and warm. I can't remember the last time i bought something so beautiful. Thank you for creating a shawl that lifts my spirit and makes me feel sourrounded by beauty and protection.

Shawls