Where does Whipcord come from?

Whipcord comes from the United Kingdom, England, first documented in the 1800s.

Plate No. 099fabric

Steep, bold cords: the riding-breech and uniform cloth.

First documented: 1800s
Origin: England, United Kingdom
Fiber: wool, cotton
Weave: steep, bold-corded twill
Family: twills

Plate No. 099 · fabric

Whipcord

Whipcord is a tough worsted twill with steep, bold, rounded diagonal cords standing in high relief, the most pronounced of the suiting diagonals. The hard, tightly twisted yarn and steep angle make it extremely hard-wearing, which sent it straight into riding breeches, military uniforms, gaiters, and workwear that had to survive abrasion. Like gabardine it is a steep twill, but where gabardine is smooth and fine, whipcord is muscular and unmistakably ribbed.

Illustration: an English riding stable yard, breeches and a hacking jacket on a peg, a saddle over the rail, horses at a distance — An English riding stable yard, breeches and a hacking jacket on a peg, a saddle over the rail, horses at a distance.

Named for

Named for its resemblance to the cord of a whip: bold, rounded, steeply set diagonal ribs.

Common questions

What is Whipcord made of?: Whipcord is a tough worsted twill with steep, bold, rounded diagonal cords standing in high relief, the most pronounced of the suiting diagonals. It is traditionally made of wool or cotton.
Where does Whipcord come from?: Whipcord comes from the United Kingdom, England, first documented in the 1800s.
What is Whipcord named after?: Named for its resemblance to the cord of a whip: bold, rounded, steeply set diagonal ribs.