foulard
foulard, light silk fabric having a distinctive soft finish and a plain or simple twill weave. It is said to come originally from the Far East. In French the word foulard signifies a silk handkerchief.
The fabric, which is figured with a pattern printed in various colours, is used for dress material, handkerchiefs, scarves, and neckties. Fine textiles made from good-quality cotton yarn or man-made fibres are also sold as foulard and are used for the same purposes as the silk version.
This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.
Citation Information
Article Title:
foulard
Website Name:
Encyclopaedia Britannica
Publisher:
Encyclopaedia Britannica, Inc.
Date Published:
20 December 2010
Access Date:
November 13, 2026