Madras

J. Crew Patch Madras circa 2007

 

Many of us grew up wearing madras in the summer - I recall having a patch madras one piece swimsuit, a madras Bermuda bag, and a madras wrap skirt that I loved. I have been wanting to find a madras piece or two for my summer wardrobe. I love these pieces from J. Crew many years back.

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.

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.

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.

Jacqueline Patchwork Madras Skirt

This madras beach sarong can be worn three different ways: tied at the waist as a skirt, tied at the chest as a bandeau dress or tied around the neck as a halter. 

Beach Sarong in Sunset Plaid