cove stripe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowFormal, Technical (fashion/tailoring)
Quick answer
What does “cove stripe” mean?
A distinctive, colored band woven into fabric, especially on the outer edge of trouser legs.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A distinctive, colored band woven into fabric, especially on the outer edge of trouser legs.
A decorative stripe, typically found on formal or uniform trousers, running down the outer seam.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Term is understood in tailoring circles in both regions, but more commonly used in descriptions of British formal and military dress. In the US, it may be referred to more generically as a 'trouser stripe' or 'stripe'.
Connotations
UK: Strong connotations of military uniforms (e.g., Royal Marines), formal dress (e.g., morning dress), and high-end tailoring. US: Primarily associated with formalwear (tuxedos) and some uniform applications.
Frequency
Very low frequency in general discourse, but has specific, regular use in tailoring, uniform supply, and formalwear retail contexts.
Grammar
How to Use “cove stripe” in a Sentence
The [garment] has a cove stripe.A cove stripe runs down the [garment].[Garment] with cove stripeVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “cove stripe” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The cove-stripe trousers were regulation issue.
American English
- He wore a c0ve-stripe tuxedo for the event.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in formalwear retail and tailoring services.
Academic
Found in texts on fashion history, uniform design, and textile arts.
Everyday
Extremely rare outside of specific shopping or clothing discussions.
Technical
Standard term in tailoring, uniform manufacturing, and fashion design.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “cove stripe”
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “cove stripe”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “cove stripe”
- Confusing it with a 'pin stripe' (which is much thinner and all-over) or a 'chalk stripe' (which is broken). Spelling as one word ('covestripe').
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. A cove stripe is a distinct, often wider band of color set into the outer seam of trousers. A pin stripe is a very thin, often single-thread line repeated in a pattern across a suit fabric.
Yes, though it is less common. It can be found on women's formal trousers, especially those in uniform or equestrian dress.
It likely derives from the architectural term 'cove' meaning a concave moulding or a hollow, referring to the stripe being set into a recessed groove of the fabric.
Extremely rarely. Its primary and almost exclusive use is in tailoring and fashion for a specific trouser decoration.
A distinctive, colored band woven into fabric, especially on the outer edge of trouser legs.
Cove stripe is usually formal, technical (fashion/tailoring) in register.
Cove stripe: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkəʊv ˌstraɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkoʊv ˌstraɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a COVE (a small bay) along the shoreline of your trousers—a 'cove stripe' is like a colored inlet running down the seam.
Conceptual Metaphor
A LINE OF DISTINCTION (The stripe marks a boundary and confers status/formality).
Practice
Quiz
In which context are you most likely to encounter the term 'cove stripe'?