gros de londres: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
Very LowFormal / Historical / Technical (Fashion/Textiles)
Quick answer
What does “gros de londres” mean?
A heavy silk fabric with a fine, corded or ribbed texture, historically produced in Lyon, France.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A heavy silk fabric with a fine, corded or ribbed texture, historically produced in Lyon, France.
A specific, often historical, type of luxury silk taffeta with pronounced horizontal ribs, typically used for formal or period garments and high-end furnishings.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is used identically in both varieties within the relevant specialist fields. Its French origin is preserved.
Connotations
Connotes luxury, historical authenticity, and specialist knowledge. It may sound pretentious if used outside a very specific context.
Frequency
Extremely rare in both varieties. Slightly more likely to be encountered in British texts due to historical connections with European textile trade.
Grammar
How to Use “gros de londres” in a Sentence
[garment/fabric] made of/in gros de londresgros de londres [noun: dress, curtain, waistcoat]the gros de londres [verb: rustled, shimmered, draped]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “gros de londres” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The gros de londres gown was displayed behind glass.
- He wore a waistcoat of gros de londres silk.
American English
- A gros de londres curtain fabric was selected.
- The reproduction used authentic gros de londres.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Only in the niche business of historical fabric reproduction or high-end costume design.
Academic
Used in fashion history, textile studies, and costume conservation papers.
Everyday
Virtually never used.
Technical
A precise term in textile classification, specifying weave (plain weave), rib (cord), and often weight and finish.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “gros de londres”
- Pronouncing it as English words ('gross of London').
- Using it as a general term for any shiny or expensive fabric.
- Capitalising it incorrectly (it is not a proper noun; 'de' is not capitalised).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. Despite the name, it is a French fabric originally produced in Lyon. 'Londres' (London) in the name likely referred to a specific market, finish, or width popular for export to England.
Yes, but it is a specialist product. It can be purchased from high-end fabric merchants, historical reproduction textile companies, and some luxury fashion houses for bespoke garments.
It is a French phrase. The closest English approximations are: British: /ˌɡrəʊ də ˈlɒndr(ə)/ (groh duh LON-druh), American: /ˌɡroʊ də ˈlɑːndrəz/ (groh duh LAHN-druhz).
Gros de londres is a type of taffeta, but it is heavier and has a more pronounced, corded rib (often a heavier weft yarn) compared to the finer, smoother ribs of standard taffeta.
A heavy silk fabric with a fine, corded or ribbed texture, historically produced in Lyon, France.
Gros de londres is usually formal / historical / technical (fashion/textiles) in register.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “None”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine a 'grossly' (very) thick, heavy, and expensive silk dress from the courts of 'London' and Paris.
Conceptual Metaphor
N/A (Highly concrete, technical term)
Practice
Quiz
What is 'gros de londres' primarily associated with?