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.

Women's Yellow Accessories at NOVICA

Silk batik shawl, 'Ocean Summer' - Silk Batik Shawl in Yellow and Purple Hues Made in Thailand

Bestseller

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

Vinita

(739)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Baby alpaca blend shawl, 'Mountain Sunset' - Bold Multi-Color Striped Baby Alpaca Blend Hand Woven Shawl

Bestseller

Mountain Sunset, Bold Multi-Color Striped Baby Alpaca Blend Hand Woven Shawl

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Batik silk scarf, 'Golden Paradise' - Handmade Silk Batik Scarf with Floral Motifs from Bali

Bestseller

Golden Paradise, Handmade Silk Batik Scarf with Floral Motifs from Bali

Melati's Collection

(86)

$79 Wholesale

$79

Philodendron Plant, 100% Silk Chiffon Hand-Painted Botanical Print Shawl

Dewa De Wardana

(6)

$99 Wholesale

$99

Royal Summer, Handwoven Ikat Patterned Warm-Toned Silk Scarf

Nurmukhammad Valiyev

$50.15 Wholesale

~~$59~~ $50.15

Cotton and silk blend shawl, 'Yellow Paisley Dreams' - Paisley Shawl in Cotton and Silk Blend with Embroidery

Bestseller

Yellow Paisley Dreams, Paisley Shawl in Cotton and Silk Blend with Embroidery

Uma Tripathi

(13)

$69 Wholesale

$69

Wool and silk blend shawl, 'Sun-Kissed Spring' - Yellow and Ivory Floral-Themed Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

New Arrival

Sun-Kissed Spring, Yellow and Ivory Floral-Themed Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

Shuja Ahmed

(51)

$54 Wholesale

$54

Silk chiffon scarf, 'Lavender Paradise' - Spring-Themed Hand-Painted Lavender Sheer Silk Chiffon Scarf

Bestseller

Lavender Paradise, Spring-Themed Hand-Painted Lavender Sheer Silk Chiffon Scarf

Hasmik Movsesyan

$75.65 Wholesale

~~$89~~ $75.65

Royal Peacock, Silk batik scarf

Yuni Kristina

(280)

$44 Wholesale

$44

Baby alpaca blend scarf, 'Draped with Color' - Baby Alpaca Blend Hand Woven Colorful Striped Scarf

Bestseller

Draped with Color, Baby Alpaca Blend Hand Woven Colorful Striped Scarf

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$69 Wholesale

$69

Brown-and-Yellow Marshbird, Brown-and-Yellow Marshbird Inspired Abstract Printed Scarf

Amelia Mayo

(2)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Intarsia Style, Unisex Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Hat in Grey Yellow and Blue

Maritza Oviedo

(6)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Saffron Yellow Net, Guatemalan Backstrap Handwoven Saffron Yellow Cotton Scarf

Women United for Artisan Development

(25)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Saffron Vines, Leaf Motif Block-Printed Cotton Wrap Scarf from India

Rajnandinee and Srabonti

(23)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Wool and silk blend shawl, 'Spring Dream' - Floral Printed Yellow and Orange Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

Bestseller

Spring Dream, Floral Printed Yellow and Orange Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

Saqib Khan

(2)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Cool Stripes in Amber, Handwoven Striped Cotton Shawl in Amber from Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$31.99 Wholesale

~~$39.99~~ $31.99

Sunshine Illusion, Handwoven Thai Silk Scarf in Golden Yellows

Vinita

(739)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Silk shawl, 'Mekong River' - Hand Woven Red Pink and Yellow Tie Dyed Silk Shawl

Bestseller

Mekong River, Hand Woven Red Pink and Yellow Tie Dyed Silk Shawl

Vinita

(739)

$69 Wholesale

$69

Winter Warmth in Mustard, Fringed Yellow Wool Shawl with Handwoven Geometric Motifs

Shahid

(16)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Cotton kente scarf, 'Fiazikpui, Seat of the King' (3 strips) - African Kente Cloth Cotton Fiazikpui Scarf (3 Strips)

Fiazikpui, Seat of the King, African Kente Cloth Cotton Fiazikpui Scarf (3 Strips)

Gobah Tengey-Seddoh

(9)

$89.99 Wholesale

~~$99.99~~ $89.99

Golden Sunrise, Gold and Rust Embroidered Wool Shawl from India

Sajad

(155)

$134 Wholesale

$134

Iridescent Ocher, Ocher and Copper Hand Woven Rayon Scarf

K'amolon K'i K'ojonel

(218)

$54 Wholesale

$54

Safron Vines, Block-Printed Cotton Shawl with Leafy and Floral Pattern

Rajnandinee and Srabonti

(23)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Shifting Sands, Tie-Dyed Silk Shawl in Sand and Cyan Stripes from Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Radiant Sunflower, Soft Ivory Silk Scarf with Hand-Painted Sunflower Details

Karine and Gohar Matosyan

$33.15 Wholesale

~~$39~~ $33.15

Hillside Lullaby, Unique Central American Embroidered Yellow Shawl

Nu'Kem Association of Textile Artisans

(2)

$61.60 Wholesale

~~$77~~ $61.60

Sunny Paisley, Yellow Silk Shawl with Hand-Block Printed Paisley Pattern

Rajnandinee and Srabonti

(23)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Soleil, Hand Painted Rayon Bandana

Sandilou

(3)

$7.79 Wholesale

~~$12.99~~ $7.79

Liquid Amber, Fringed Batik Cotton Shawl from Thailand

Kittiya Intaprom

$129 Wholesale

$129

Golden Warm, Wool and silk shawl

Syed Izaz Hussein

(83)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Cotton scarf, 'Field of Daisies' - Hand-Woven Striped Fringed Yellow Brown & Beige Cotton Scarf

Bestseller

Field of Daisies, Hand-Woven Striped Fringed Yellow Brown & Beige Cotton Scarf

San Antonio Palopo Cooperative

(7)

$27 Wholesale

$27

Handmade scarves, 'Refined Evening' (set of 2) - Chartreuse and Smoke Grey 2-Piece Scarf Set Made in Thailand

Refined Evening, Chartreuse and Smoke Grey 2-Piece Scarf Set Made in Thailand

Kitthanapong

(1)

$27 Wholesale

$27

Winter Fire, Crocheted 100% Alpaca Wool Hat

Elvia Melendez

(63)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Qori Lady, Handwoven Geometric-Patterned Warm-Toned Cotton Belt

Paul Lopez

$84 Wholesale

$84

Andean Maize, Hand Crocheted 100% Alpaca Hat from Peru

Elvia Melendez

(63)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Lily & Red, Crocheted Soft Golden and Red 100% Alpaca Fingerless Mitts

Elvia Melendez

(63)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Spring Joy, Floral Printed Red and Yellow Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

Saqib Khan

(2)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Winged Fortune, Classic Bird-Themed Turquoise and Yellow Cotton Bonnet

Nakz-Couture

$34 Wholesale

$34

Lily & Red, Handmade Floral Soft 100% Alpaca Knit Hat in Golden and Red

Elvia Melendez

(63)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Parang Majesty, Batik Silk Scarf with Parang Motifs in Chartreuse from Bali

Yuni Kristina

(280)

$44 Wholesale

$44

Crimson Day, Vine-Patterned Crimson and Jonquil Elastic Cotton Bonnet

Nakz-Couture

$39 Wholesale

$39

Atitlan Diva, Natural Dyes Cotton Shawl Woven by Hand Guatemala

Community Association of Tzutujil Women Artisans

(10)

$109 Wholesale

$109

Cheerful Blossoms, Stitch-Accent Wool Shawl with Screen-Printed Floral Motifs

Shahid

(16)

$69 Wholesale

$69

Mimosa, Orange and Yellow Block Printed Shawl in 100% Silk

Rajnandinee and Srabonti

(23)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Silk reversible shawl, 'Harmonious Fusion' - Fringed 100% Silk Reversible Shawl with Colorful Stripes

Bestseller

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

Khitish

(31)

$39 Wholesale

$39

Golden Paradise, Handmade Silk Batik Fan

Melati's Collection

(86)

$34 Wholesale

$34

Maya Gold, Traditional Handloomed Yellow Cotton Scarf with Fringes

Miriam and Debora

(14)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Cotton blend kente scarf, 'Wisdom for Two' (3 strips) - Three Strips Handwoven Yellow and Purple African Kente Scarf

Wisdom for Two, Three Strips Handwoven Yellow and Purple African Kente Scarf

Rachel Armah

(45)

$134 Wholesale

$134

Golden Daisy Blossoms, Hand Painted Silk Blend Shawl Daisy Blossom from India

Anu and Mohit

(1)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Ocean Currents, Thai Hand Crafted Silk Batik Shawl

Vinita

(739)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Garden of Vermilion, Floral Handwoven Wool and Rayon Embroidered Vermilion Shawl

Sajad

(155)

$69 Wholesale

$69

Regal Charm, Cotton & Wool Shawl with Paisley Pattern Woven in India

Sandeep Malhotra

(285)

$29 Wholesale

$29

Golden Chrysanthemums, Chain Stitch Embroidered Brown and Yellow Floral Shawl

Sajad

(155)

$129 Wholesale

$129

Rayon face masks, 'Sunshine and Darkness' (pair) - 2 Double Layer Silk Elastic Loop Face Masks from Bali

Sunshine and Darkness, 2 Double Layer Silk Elastic Loop Face Masks from Bali

Hari and Arthur

(236)

$7.49 Wholesale

~~$9.99~~ $7.49

Maya Sunlight, Hand Woven Cotton Infinity Scarf in Bright Yellow and White

Yama Aj Chixot Artisan Group

(49)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Antigua's Charm, Hand-Carved Pinewood Keychain with Antigua's Arch Painting

Hugo Pichiya

(1)

$25 Wholesale

$25

Cotton scarf, 'Chameleon Appeal' - Chameleon-Themed Hand-Dyed Ombre Cotton Scarf from India

New Arrival

Chameleon Appeal, Chameleon-Themed Hand-Dyed Ombre Cotton Scarf from India

Savini

(2)

$34 Wholesale

$34

Leafy Fantasy, Leafy and Floral Printed Jonquil Wool and Silk Blend Shawl

Saqib Khan

(2)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Sun and Shadow, Handwoven Zapotec Black and Yellow Cotton Shawl

Carmen Ruiz

(88)

$67.49 Wholesale

~~$74.99~~ $67.49

Summer Jungle, Women's Pleated 100% Silk Scarf in Brown Olive and Ochre

Vinita

(739)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Royal Dame, Geometric-Patterned Green Elastic Cotton Bonnet with Ties

Nakz-Couture

$39 Wholesale

$39

Kiwi Mornings, Striped Green Silk Shawl Traditionally Handloomed in India

Khitish

(31)

$39 Wholesale

$39

Crimson Beauty, Knit Baby Alpaca Blend Fringed Shawl in Red & Yellow

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Sunny Shake, Handloomed Patterned Yellow Baby Alpaca Blend Shawl

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Chartreuse Thai Maze, Bright Chartreuse and White Spiral Motif Silk Shawl

Vinita

(739)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Ancient Threads, Handloomed Classic Red and Yellow Baby Alpaca Blend Scarf

Raquel and Gregor

(169)

$59 Wholesale

$59

Cherry Essences, Handloomed Yellow Cotton Shawl with Cherry Red Accents

Elena Ixtamer

(50)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Grassy Shores, Handcrafted Yellow and Blue Stripe Cotton Macramé Headband

Hilda Padilla

(7)

$25 Wholesale

$25

Leaping Yellow, Handcrafted Glass Beaded Frog Keychain in Yellow Hues

Hands Of Atitlan

(5)

$23 Wholesale

$23

Ocher Origins, Ocher Headband with Bow Hand-woven with 100% Cotton Canvas

Elias Garcia

(100)

$14 Wholesale

$14

Winter Fire, Crocheted Fringed 100% Alpaca Scarf from Peru

Elvia Melendez

(63)

$67 Wholesale

$67

Golden Gye Nyame, Signed Ghanaian Batik Adinkra Scarf in Brown and Gold

K. Baka

(27)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Friendly Essence, Hand Woven Yellow and Brown Silk Blend Shawl with Fringe

Vinita

(739)

$49 Wholesale

$49

Lovely Magic, Handwoven Tie-Dyed Multicolored Silk Scarf from Thailand

Vinita

(739)

$74 Wholesale

$74

Key to the Sun, Handcrafted Geometric Glass Beaded Keychain in Yellow

Hands Of Atitlan

(5)

$23 Wholesale

$23

Rayon batik face masks, 'Vibrant Hibiscus' (set of 4) - 4 Hand-Painted Rayon Batik Contoured Face Masks

Vibrant Balinese Hibiscus, 4 Hand-Painted Rayon Batik Contoured Face Masks

Desak Nyoman Parwati

(679)

$9.09 Wholesale

~~$12.99~~ $9.09

Evolving Green, Ombre Silk Scarf in Yellow and Green

Vinita

(739)

$77 Wholesale

$77

Autumn Melange, Handwoven Cotton Open Weave Scarf in Brown and Yellow

Vinita

(739)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Geometric Fire, Hand-Woven Textured Fringed Cotton Scarf in Yellow and Red

Elena Ixtamer

(50)

$89 Wholesale

$89

Mustard Charm, Indian Handloomed Striped Silk Shawl in Mustard

Khitish

(31)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Cotton scarf, 'Seat of the King' (2 strips) - African Kente Cloth Cotton Fiazikpui Scarf (2 Strips)

Seat of the King, African Kente Cloth Cotton Fiazikpui Scarf (2 Strips)

Gobah Tengey-Seddoh

(9)

$62.99 Wholesale

~~$69.99~~ $62.99

Yellow Mystique Saga, 100% Silk Yellow Checkered and Ruffled Scarf Woven in India

Arnab Roy

(15)

$39 Wholesale

$39

Mae Nam Khong Honey, Hand Crafted Batik Silk Scarf

Vinita

(739)

$37 Wholesale

$37

Cotton blend kente cloth scarf, 'Nyiraba' (5 inch width) - Narrow Purple and Green Kente Cloth Scarf (5 Inch Width)

Nyiraba, Narrow Purple and Green Kente Cloth Scarf (5 Inch Width)

Rachel Armah

(45)

$49 Wholesale

$49

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