Paisley Pocket Squares

What we know as paisley, the distinctive teardrop shape with a curved end, has ancient roots and has long been associated with men’s accessories, especially men's pocket squares.

The paisley motif originated in ancient Persia where it was called the ‘boteh’, meaning bush, cluster of leaves or flower buds, and was associated with life and eternity. The use of the ‘boteh’ spread throughout Asia and popularity in the Western world followed its import from India from the 18^th century onwards. The motif became much copied around Europe but the first place where the ‘boteh’ motif was reproduced was in the leading textiles town of Paisley, located in the west of Scotland.

Over the years, the paisley motif has remained popular with periodic peaks of intense popularity. The fascination with eastern cultures that accompanied the psychedelic era of the 1960s brought paisley to the fore again. In Britain and other English speaking countries, the motif has been associated throughout with men’s accessories, including silk pocket squares. 

Otway & Orford continue the tradition of using paisley for men’s pocket squares with the ‘Fresh Classics’ luxury silk pocket squares and the motif has been used in different ways across the paisley pocket square designs. ‘Kaleidoscope’ is the fullest expression of the motif with ‘Labyrinth’ and ‘Millefiori’ using paisley alongside other design elements. A paisley pocket square is a popular choice on any occasion and we offer our paisley silk pocket square designs in a range of gorgeous colours to complement pretty much any suit or jacket.