Chiffon (French:[ʃi.fɔ̃];English:/ʃɪˈfɒn/,shif-ON), from the French wordchiffe which means "cloth or rag";[1] is a lightweight, balancedplain-wovensheerfabric, or gauze, likegossamer, woven of alternateS- and Z-twist crepe (high-twist) yarns.[2][3]Crepeyarn tends to have a tighter twist than standard yarns.[1] The twist in the crepe yarns puckers the fabric slightly in both directions after weaving, giving it some stretch and a slightly rough feel.
Chiffon is a lightweight fabric which is associated with elegance and luxury;[4] it drapes well and has a shimmery and sheer appearance.[1][4] Under a magnifying glass, chiffon resembles a fine net or mesh, which gives it some transparency.
Chiffon can be produced out of natural or synthetic fibres.[1] Silk chiffon was very expensive, and it is with the development of synthetic chiffon, such as nylon chiffon, polyester chiffon, and rayon chiffon, that chiffon became more accessible and more popular for common usage.[1][4]
Since chiffon is a light-weight fabric which frays easily, bound or Frenchseams must be used to stop the fabric from fraying.
Early chiffon was made purely fromsilk and was very expensive; when used in fashion, it was associated with high status.[1] Silk chiffon displays colours beautifully since silk fibres absorb dyes well. Chiffon also drapes well, adding structure to the clothing item it is formed into.[1] Silk chiffon needs to bedry cleaned.[1]
InChina, silk chiffon made ofraw silk was known asxiāo (Chinese:绡), which was also the name of raw silk.[5]: 352
Chiffon could also be made out ofcotton.[4]
In 1938, anylon chiffon was invented; this was followed by the creation ofpolyester chiffon in 1958, which became immensely popular due to its resilience and low cost.[1]
Chiffon can also be produced out ofrayon.[1]
In modern Western fashion, chiffon is most commonly used in evening wear, especially as an overlay, for giving an elegant and floating appearance to thegown.[1] It is also a popular fabric used inblouses,ribbons, scarves andlingerie.[1]
InIndia, chiffon is primarily used to makesarees anddupattas.[1]
Chiffon is smoother and more lustrous than the similar fabricgeorgette.[4]
Chiffon is more flowing and airy when draped thanorganza, which is stiffer.
Chiffon is more moveable and flimsy, whiletulle is more firm with a mesh type appearance.
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