Women's Bohemian Accessories(113 items)
Welcome to NOVICA's Women's Bohemian Accessories Collection designed and crafted for you by talented artisans worldwide.
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The Village Council
Your answers straight from the village experts


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.


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.
Featured Reviews on Women's Bohemian Accessories
Silk shawl, 'Teal Reflecting Pools'





By Pauline
Amazing colours
Bought this for a Christmas gift for a friend and she loves it very much. The blue colours brighten up her skin and she looks amazing
100% alpaca fingerless mitts, 'Ivory Fans'





By Inga
Warm
When you pick up things made by the hands of another person, you feel his warmth and emotions that he put into this thing! Thank you, I feel like it was done with love
Rayon infinity scarf, 'Bali Sky'





By Trina
Beautiful!
So beautiful in person! I love this and will get a lot of use out of it. Colours are stunning. Came with a lovely note from maker as well.
Featured Artist









Vinita Batik accessories
When asked about any challenges to overcome, I would say that I never have any obstacles. I think I do what I can do and don't force things that aren't ready or things that I cannot do.'
Popular Women's Bohemian Accessories
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Tied-Dyed Cotton Wrap Scarf in Pink and Purple from Thailand, "Fantastic Colors"
$25.99Decorated with fantastic hues of pink, purple, and blue, this impressive wrap scarf from Thailand features an original design by Vinita. The skilled artisan hand-weaves the scarf of cotton, applying the colors with the traditional tie-dye technique. Dainty fringes complete the scarf at each end.
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Guatemalan Rayon Chenille Shawl, "Nature's Ethereal Inspiration"
$114.99From orange and yellow to turquoise and green this shawl is colored with timeless elegance. Different teams of artisans within K'amolon K'i K'ojonel are involved in the creation of this rayon made from bamboo fiber shawl, from those who dye the yarn, to those who spin it, to those who weave it on a backstrap loom. And everyone is working from home, keeping a millenary textile tradition alive.
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Hand Woven Fringed Silk Scarf in Multicolor from Thailand, "Enchanting Love"
$49.99With a pintucked style, this scarf features a multicolored design in Caribbean blue, magenta, and chartreuse by Vinita of Thailand. The artisan weaves the scarf by hand from 100% silk fibers, adding delicate knotted fringes to the ends to complete it.
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Handwoven Cotton Scarf with Candy Colors from Thailand, "Charming Candy"
$14.99Crafted by the hands of Thai artisan Vinita, this cotton scarf showcases an intricate open-weave style of composition. Whimsical shades of pink, purple, blue, and tan color the hand-spun yarns, their hues bringing to mind the dazzling delight of walking through a candy store. Tan fringe completes both ends in long strands.