Definition

Noun: 1. A heavy silk fabric with a rough, slubbed texture: Shantung is a type of silk characterized by its uneven, nubby surface, created by using irregular, thick yarns (often from wild or tussah silk). This gives it a distinctive, rustic appearance. 2. A cotton or synthetic imitation of this silk fabric: The term is also used for fabrics made from cotton, rayon, or polyester that are woven to mimic the textured look of traditional silk shantung.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Her wedding dress was made from ivory silk shantung, which had a beautiful, subtle texture.
  • For a more affordable option, the suit was tailored from a polyester shantung that closely resembled the real silk.
  • The rough surface of shantung makes it less prone to showing wrinkles than some other silks.

Advanced Usage

• As a modifier: The word "shantung" is frequently used as an adjective to describe garments or items made from this fabric.
  • She wore a elegant shantung sheath dress to the gala.
  • The decor featured shantung table runners for a luxurious feel.

Variants and Related Words

• Tussah/Tussah silk: A type of wild silk, often from silkworms that feed on oak leaves, which is commonly used to make authentic shantung fabric. It is known for its natural tan or beige color and coarse, slubbed texture.
• Dupioni silk: A similar slubbed silk fabric, often with an even more pronounced irregularity and sheen than shantung. While closely related, dupioni and shantung are sometimes distinguished by the source and thickness of the silk yarns.

Synonyms

• Slubbed fabric / Slubbed silk: A general term for any fabric with a deliberately uneven, nubby texture.
• Raw silk: A term sometimes used interchangeably with shantung, referring to silk that has not been degummed to remove the sericin, resulting in a stiffer, less lustrous, and more textured fabric.

Related Phrases and Terms

• Shantung weave: Refers to the specific plain weave structure used to create this fabric, which highlights the irregularity of the yarns.
• Shantung-style: Used to describe any item (e.g., a dress, a lampshade) that is made from a fabric imitating the textured look of shantung, regardless of the fiber content.

Noun

1. a heavy silk fabric with a rough surface (or a cotton imitation)