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 Triple Layer Accessories at NOVICA

Featured Sale

Patience and Hope, 2 Handwoven 3-Layer Masks in Stripe & Solid Blue Cotton

Emma Gutierrez

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Fresh Checks, Coordinated Face Mask and Hair Accessory Set (3 Pieces)

Radhika

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Balinese Glamour, 2 Beaded Embroidered Cotton Face Masks in Orange and Pink

Made Suciati

(315)

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Blue Denim Style, Dark Blue Cotton Denim Three-Layer Face Masks Large (Pair)

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(12)

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Happy Mind, 2 Green-White Brocade & Lime Green Cotton Handwoven Masks

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(4)

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Thai Flora, Hand Crafted Floral Cotton Face Masks (Set of 3)

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Glamour and Sparkle, 2 Hand Beaded Cotton Contoured Face Masks in White and Blue

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Blue Diamond Brocade, 2 Handwoven Blue Cotton Masks in Brocade & Solid Navy

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Happy Spirit, 3 Handmade Floral & Gingham Cotton Masks with Filter Pockets

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Subtle Nature, Set of 3 Artisan Crafted Neutral Hemp and Cotton Face Masks

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Spirit of the Sea, Three Handcrafted Thai Face Masks-1 Hemp and 2 Blue Cotton

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Feeling Glamorous, 2 Hand Beaded Cotton Contoured Masks in Green and Orange

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Feminine Glam, 2 Hand Beaded Cotton Contoured Face Masks in Black and Pink

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Cool Thai Blues, 3 Thai Handmade White & Navy Blue Cotton Face Masks

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Chambray Kitty Cat, Blue Cotton Chambray 3-Layer Ear Loop Cat Face Mask

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Banana Leaves, 3 Banana Leaf Print Adjustable-Ear Loop Cotton Face Masks

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Maya Handlooms, Brown Striped & Blue Handwoven Cotton Face Masks

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Rosy Dots and Posies, 3 Pink-White-Sepia Print Ear Loop Cotton Face Masks Set

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Quiet Spirit, 1 Hemp and 2 Cotton Handcrafted Thai Face Masks (set of 3)

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Blue Denim Classic, 2 Ties-On Dark Blue Cotton Denim 3-Layer Unisex Face Masks

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Candy Stripe Brown, 2 Adults Handwoven Cotton Masks in Brown-Red Stripes & Brown

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Glamorous Grey and Turquoise, 2 Beaded Embroidered Cotton Face Masks in Gray and Turquoise

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Psychedelic Brocade, 2 Handwoven Cotton Masks in Blue-Brown Brocade & Solid Lilac

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Weekend Casual, Cotton Handcrafted Thai Face Masks (Set of 4--2 L/ 2 SM)

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Tropical Breeze, Hand Crafted Tropical Cotton Face Masks (Set of 3)

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Today's Styles, 3 Handcrafted Thai Cotton Filter Pocket Adult Face Masks

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Cheerful Floral Trio, 3 Colorful Floral Embroidery Cotton Contoured Face Masks

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Chambray Rainbow, Blue Cotton Chambray 3-Layer Ear Loop Face Mask

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Young Ones, Family Set of 3 Cotton Masks Family Pack Masks

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Casual Style, 4 Cotton Handcrafted Thai Face Masks in 2 Sizes

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Little Green Skull, Hand-Painted Cotton 3-Layer Green Floral Skull Motif Mask

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Natural Care, Handmade Hemp/Cotton Face Mask

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Sky Stripes, Triple-Layer Cotton Face Mask

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Chiang Mai Blues, Handcrafted Cotton Face Mask

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Blooming in Reds, Set of 3 Cotton Triple Layer Reusable Face Masks

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Featured Reviews

Beaded cotton face masks, 'Feminine Glam' (pair)

Meghan

Jul 17, 2020

Adorable!

These masks are great! Everywhere I go people ask where I got it. One note, don't laugh at me, I have a big head, and while these fit right away, I did get the "Dumbo ears" look the first couple times I wore it. The elastic eventually loosened up, eliminating the ears sticking out

Boho Chic

Chic In Times Of Trouble...

Evening

Unique

Hemp and cotton face masks, 'Quiet Spirit' (set of 3)

Susanne

May 19, 2020

Perfect Cotton Face Masks

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A Stylish .

Cloth Facemasks

Comfortable Facemasks

Covid

Daily Facemasks

Fabric Facemasks

Face Mask

Fashionable Facemasks

Fitted Facemasks

Cotton face masks, 'Cool Thai Blues' (set of 3)

Debra Ann

Mar 20, 2021

Best masks anywhere

I will only wear Jamriang's mask because of the care with which they have been made and they are lovely and soft on your face too. I wash them in a 'delicates' bag in the washing machine.

A Very Cool

Comfortable Facemasks