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J. Crew Patch Madras circa 2007 |
Madras refers to a colorful and lightweight cotton fabric, woven into distinct combinations of horizontal and vertical stripes. To oversimplify - madras is the warm-weather cousin of the wintertime staple, tartan.
Authentic madras comes from a region in southeast India that was once called Madraspatnam, which is known today as Chennai. Cotton yarn is hand-dyed and then hand-spun. The yield is cloth that is the same on both sides with tell-tale bumps that result from the yarn being too fragile to be combed or carded.
Madras has been a preppy classic for decades.
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J.Crew Limited Edition Long Patch Madras Skirt - circa 2007 |
I got this madras Frances Valentine dress recently and love it. A great statement piece - no longer available in the madras unfortunately.
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Frances Valentine Bliss Exploding Madras Dress |
These two pieces available now are very chic. This patch madras skirt has such a vintage vibe. I would wear it with a classic white shirt or a navy blue polo shirt. I especially love patch madras.
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Jacqueline Patchwork Madras Skirt |
I love madras! Next up is seersucker.
ReplyDeleteYour madras post brought back a happy memory for me. My Aunt and Uncle invited me to spend two weeks with them at a lodge in Maine in the early sixties. I was the perfect companion for their 12 year old daughter, since we were the same age. One rainy day we all went shopping to a nearby town. They bought us both matching madras shorts. I loved those shorts.
ReplyDeleteI love madras! My husband has a couple of madras shirts which are quite old now. I still love them. I also had a madras swimsuit.
ReplyDeleteThanks for the memories, Beth. I had madras bermuda shorts, shirt, blazer. At different times. Bought the blazer in Georgetown so long ago.
ReplyDeleteLove this post! I had some cool patch madras bell bottoms and of course the purse too back in the day!
ReplyDeleteLove this post. I love Madras and always will. There are so many different patterns you can't lose with any of them. Your post is the best.
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