watered-silk
Noun: A type of silk fabric that has been treated to create a characteristic wavy, rippled, or moiré pattern on its surface. The pattern resembles the shimmering effect of light on water.
"Watered-silk" is used as a compound noun to describe the specific fabric. It is typically used attributively (before another noun) or as the subject/object of a sentence. * The gown was made from exquisite watered-silk. * She preferred the subtle luster of watered-silk for formal drapes. * A watered-silk waistcoat was a popular fashion item in the 18th century.
- The historical costume featured a cravat of fine watered-silk.
- Watered-silk gets its distinctive appearance from a calendering process that presses the fabric.
- He collected antique textiles, with a focus on watered-silk samples from the Victorian era.
The term is primarily used in historical, fashion, and textile contexts. The pattern itself is sometimes referred to as a "watered" effect or a "moire" (pronounced mwah-ray) pattern, with "moire" being the more common term in modern usage for the finish, regardless of the fiber. * The taffeta had a watered finish that caught the light beautifully.
- Moire (noun): The wavy pattern itself, or a fabric (often silk) bearing such a pattern. It is a near-synonym for "watered-silk."
- Watered (adjective): Can describe other fabrics treated to have a similar wavy appearance (e.g., watered wool, watered taffeta).
- Silk (noun): The natural protein fiber from which the fabric is made.
- Moire (fabric)
- Watered fabric
- Silk moire
"Watered-silk" is a fixed compound. The process to create it historically involved pressing two layers of ribbed silk fabric together under high pressure, which crushed the ribs in places to create the signature shimmering pattern.
- silk fabric with a wavy surface pattern