Madras check
Also known as: Madras plaid, Bleeding madras, Indian madras
Light, yarn-dyed check fabric of Indian cotton with typically colourful and often asymmetric checks.
Description
Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric from the region around Chennai (formerly Madras) in southern India. It is characterised by an open plain weave with a fabric weight of 100-160 g/m² and yarn-dyed checks in vibrant colours — often produced with plant-based dyes, so early goods known as "bleeding madras" would intentionally bleed in the wash to create soft colour gradients.
Classic madras is woven on handlooms and shows slight irregularities in thread density and check spacing. It is particularly breathable and cool in summer and is prized for short-sleeve shirts, shorts, Bermudas, dresses and ties — a staple of Ivy League fashion.
- Plain weave, approx. 100-160 g/m²
- Yarn-dyed, often with asymmetric checks and natural dyes
- Origin: Chennai/Madras, southern India
- Typical for summer and preppy clothing
Properties
| Weave | Plain weave, yarn-dyed |
|---|---|
| Weight | approx. 100-160 g/m² |
| Origin | Chennai (formerly Madras), India |
| Application | Summer shirts, shorts, dresses, ties |
Sources & references
1- Wikipedia: Madras (cloth) Wikipedia — Freie Enzyklopädie https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Madras_(cloth)
