Shawl - a rectangular or square scarf large size. Material for the production of shawls is fluff mountain goat (undercoat) or fabric. The word "shawl" has Arabic roots and refers in Persian "handkerchief". Production began in Kashmir shawls in the 15th century. The first shawls manufactured and down the mountain goats. They were large square capes, which developed along the diagonal and worn on the head. Shawls were so long that completely hid the torso woman almost to mid-thigh.
In Europe shawls were due to Napoleon Bonaparte in the late 18th century. French borrowed not only the technology of shawls, but also the name - «Chale». After a while, for the production of scarves, shawls began to use a variety of tissues. Because of the protection from the cold shawl has become a fashionable piece toilet richest women. Later production of shawls do the British, although the quality of their products inferior to the French and Persian goods.
Fashion for shawls appeared in Russia in the early 19th century. Fast enough colors and patterns shawls have changed: Indian motifs Russian conceded their superiority. In the second half of the 19th century Russian shawls have won international acclaim.