Manila Shawls

The Manila shawl (mantón de Manila) is a large square shawl decorated with floral embroidery and finished with long fringes. Despite its name referencing Manila (Philippines) — the historic trade route through which Chinese silk reached Spain in the 16th century — the Manila shawl has become one of the most iconic garments in Spanish culture. It is worn as an accessory with the flamenco dress at ferias and pilgrimages, in flamenco dance performances, and as an elegant fashion piece.

Manila shawls are classified by their craftsmanship and materials. Hand-embroidered shawls in natural silk are the most prized: a single piece can require months of artisan work and cost over €1,000. Machine-embroidered shawls offer detailed designs at more accessible prices, starting from €45. A full-size shawl measures approximately 140×140 cm (plus 30-40 cm fringes), while the smaller mantoncillo (around 60-80 cm per side) is the most common flamenco dress accessory.

At FlamencoExport we offer 75 Manila shawls in natural silk and synthetic fabrics: hand-embroidered by Spanish artisans, machine-embroidered with classic and contemporary designs, and plain fringed shawls for flamenco dancing. All shipped directly from Spain worldwide.