A smooth, lightweight wool fabric with a subtle sheen or luster, used for dressmaking and fine garments.
From French 'chadelle', possibly derived from 'chamois' or related to Old French textile terminology, entering English textile vocabulary in the 19th century.
Chadelle represents a category of fabrics created specifically to mimic the appearance of silk and satin in wool—a brilliant example of how textile manufacturers in the Industrial Revolution tried to democratize luxury by making expensive-looking fabrics affordable!
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