Paisley is a distinctive curved teardrop pattern that looks like a swirled comma or a fancy tadpole. The pattern originated in ancient Persia and India, where it decorated expensive silk and wool fabrics. It gets its name from the Scottish town of Paisley, which became famous in the 1800s for weaving beautiful paisley-patterned shawls that were wildly popular across Europe.

You've probably seen paisley on bandanas, ties, scarves, or even guitar straps. The pattern typically features these teardrop shapes arranged in repeating designs, often with intricate details filling the inside of each droplet. While paisley originally appeared in rich reds, blues, and golds on luxury fabrics, it became associated with the 1960s counterculture movement when musicians and artists adopted bright, colorful paisley clothing.

Today, paisley remains popular in fashion and design. A shirt might have an all-over paisley print, or a notebook might feature paisley designs on its cover. The pattern manages to look both traditional and modern at the same time, which explains why it has stayed popular for centuries. Whether subtle or bold, paisley adds a distinctive, swirling elegance to whatever it decorates.