A lightweight, sheer fabric with a slightly rough texture, typically made from silk or synthetic fibers.
From French 'chiffon' meaning rag or scrap of cloth. Originally, this was the dismissive term French seamstresses used for leftover fabric scraps that were too delicate and wispy to be useful. These 'rags' were so sheer and flimsy that they seemed worthless — until designers realized their ethereal quality was perfect for elegant evening wear!
Chiffon literally means 'rag' in French — it was originally the scraps that dressmakers threw away because the fabric seemed too flimsy and worthless to use. Those discarded 'rags' became the height of elegance when designers realized that something so delicate it was almost transparent could be absolutely gorgeous!
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