Where does Chiffon come from?

Chiffon comes from France, first documented in the 1700s.

Plate No. 053fabric

First documented: 1700s
Origin: France, France
Fiber: silk, polyester
Weave: plain weave, high-twist crepe yarns
Family: plain

Plate No. 053 · fabric

Chiffon

Chiffon is the softest of the sheer plain weaves: woven from alternating high-twist crepe yarns, it carries a faint crinkle that makes the cloth matte, slightly rough to the touch, and fluid in a way no crisp sheer can be. Where organza stands away from the body in sculpted shapes, chiffon falls against it in soft cascades, which is why eveningwear drapes, scarves, and overlays belong to chiffon. Silk chiffon remains notoriously difficult to cut and sew; the cloth shifts under the scissors like water.

Illustration: a 1930s terrace at dusk, a sheer scarf caught in the wind on a railing, city lights soft beyond, an empty chair — A 1930s terrace at dusk, a sheer scarf caught in the wind on a railing, city lights soft beyond, an empty chair.

Named for

From the French chiffe, a rag or flimsy cloth: a name that began dismissively and ended up meaning elegance.

Common questions

What is Chiffon made of?: Chiffon is the softest of the sheer plain weaves: woven from alternating high-twist crepe yarns, it carries a faint crinkle that makes the cloth matte, slightly rough to the touch, and fluid in a way no crisp sheer can be. It is traditionally made of silk or polyester.
Where does Chiffon come from?: Chiffon comes from France, first documented in the 1700s.
What is Chiffon named after?: From the French chiffe, a rag or flimsy cloth: a name that began dismissively and ended up meaning elegance.