What is Herringbone Fabric?

Herringbone, also known as herringbone, is one of the most recognizable classic fabric. In fact, it can be regarded as a change based on the twill weave. Its twill is not a single direction extension of ordinary twill, but periodically changes the direction of the weaving structure, showing a herringbone diagonal line.

Compared with ordinary twill, this herringbone pattern has a better visual effect, especially when weaving yarns of different colors and thicknesses. Generally speaking, the thicker the yarn, the more obvious the herringbone texture and the rougher the hand feel. On the contrary, it is fine and soft.

Although herringbone pattern is used in various fabrics, the origin of herringbone pattern is not the textile industry. It is said that it comes from a parallel zigzag pattern on the pottery of the Shang Dynasty and the original porcelain of the Western Zhou Dynasty, which resembles a herringbone pattern. It is also said that it originated around 500 BC, and was developed a paving system which named Viae Publicae by the people of the Roman Empire. Anyway, herringbone pattern has a long history and is one of the most popular elements in tweed.

In the UK, people in the upper class pay more attention to materials when dressing, and their favorite fabrics and patterns are often Herringbone, cashmere, silk and so on. From the British drama "Detective Sherlock" and "Downton Abbey", we can often see herringbone tweed on gentlemen.