Where does Melton come from?

Melton comes from Melton Mowbray, the United Kingdom, first documented in the 1800s.

Plate No. 117fabric

A dense fulled woolen whose finishing hides the twill underneath.

First documented: 1800s
Origin: Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire, United Kingdom
Fiber: wool
Weave: twill, heavily fulled so the weave is concealed
Family: twills

Plate No. 117 · fabric

Melton

Melton is a dense, heavy woolen woven as a twill and then so thoroughly fulled and closely sheared that the weave disappears entirely, leaving a smooth, matte, feltlike surface. Because the fibers are matted together, cut edges do not fray, so melton can be left unhemmed, which made it ideal for tailored coat collars, military uniforms, the pea coat, and the bodies of varsity jackets. It takes its name from Melton Mowbray, a hub of English fox hunting, where its windproof density suited the hard-wearing riding coat.

Named for

Named for Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, a center of English fox hunting where the cloth was favored for riding coats.

Common questions

What is Melton made of?: Melton is a dense, heavy woolen woven as a twill and then so thoroughly fulled and closely sheared that the weave disappears entirely, leaving a smooth, matte, feltlike surface.
Where does Melton come from?: Melton comes from Melton Mowbray, the United Kingdom, first documented in the 1800s.
What is Melton named after?: Named for Melton Mowbray in Leicestershire, a center of English fox hunting where the cloth was favored for riding coats.