A lightweight cotton fabric with a smooth finish, used for clothing and textiles; also spelled challis.
From French 'châlis' or similar sources, possibly from a place name or from Old French origins. The word entered English in the 18th century through the textile industry, and multiple spellings (challie, challis) reflect historical pronunciation and transcription variations.
Challie was a fashionable fabric in Victorian and Edwardian times because it was affordable yet elegant—working-class women could wear fabric that looked like expensive silk, democratizing fashion in the 19th century.
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