In a nutshell, paisley is a twisted teardrop design. However, this design has deep roots and, as well, it makes a nice pattern for your plus-size wardrobe. Paisley is Persian and Indian in origin, but its Western name derives from the town of Paisley, in central Scotland.

In the 19th Century, European production of paisley increased, particularly in the Scottish town from which the pattern takes its modern name. Soldiers returning from the colonies brought home cashmere wool shawls from India. The design was copied from the shawls and adapted first for use on handlooms and, after 1820, on Jacquard looms.

In addition to the loom-woven fabric, Paisley became a major site for the manufacture of printed cotton and wool in the 19th Century, according to the Scotland’s Paisley Museum and Art Gallery.

What can paisley do for you? As a design, paisley was very popular in the 1960s, heavily identified with “psychedelic” style and the interest in Indian spirituality and culture brought about by the pilgrimage of The Beatles to India in 1968. Today, paisley is still popular and can be found on many different fabrics for your style and comfort.

The paisley pattern was being printed, rather than woven, into other materials, including cotton squares, which were the precursors of the modern bandana. Being able to purchase printed paisley rather than woven paisley brought the price of the costly pattern down and added to its popularity. The key places of manufacture for printed paisley were Britain and the Alsace region of France.

Thrifty Plus Size Clothing carries a lovely Leslie Fay dress in purple paisley print. This dress and others of its kind can be dressed up for an evening out or worn on a nice summer day in a casual setting. Paisley is a versatile design that will add nicely to your plus-size wardrobe.