Plural of chalon, a lightweight woolen fabric historically produced in Chalons, France, known for its soft texture and subtle sheen.
From Chalons-en-Champagne, a city in northeastern France famous for textile manufacturing since medieval times. The fabric took its name from the location of production, following the common practice of naming textiles after their place of origin.
Medieval merchants were essentially brand-builders—fabrics from specific towns became so prestigious that people traveled far to buy them, much like designer brands today. Chalons fabric was so popular that the city's name became the product's name, which is why you see it in historical inventories of wealthy households across Europe.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.