pinstripe: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal/Neutral. Common in business, fashion, and descriptive contexts.
Quick answer
What does “pinstripe” mean?
A very thin, straight stripe, especially on fabric, often found in formal business suits.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A very thin, straight stripe, especially on fabric, often found in formal business suits.
Can refer to the fabric itself, a suit made from such fabric, or by metonymy, the formal corporate/business world and its culture.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in core meaning. The sartorial style is equally prevalent in formal business settings in both cultures.
Connotations
UK: May have stronger historical associations with traditional banking, Savile Row tailoring, and establishment figures. US: Often linked specifically to Wall Street, stockbrokers, and corporate executives.
Frequency
Comparably frequent in both varieties within relevant contexts (fashion, business).
Grammar
How to Use “pinstripe” in a Sentence
[fabric/design] with a pinstripea suit in [colour] pinstripedressed in pinstripe(s)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “pinstripe” in a Sentence
noun
British English
- His Savile Row pinstripe was impeccably tailored.
- The uniform required charcoal grey pinstripes.
American English
- He bought his first serious pinstripe after landing the job on Wall Street.
- The pinstripe on the fabric was almost imperceptible.
adjective
British English
- He favoured a pinstripe suit for court appearances.
- The pinstripe effect was very subtle.
American English
- She wore a pinstripe blazer with jeans for a smart-casual look.
- The office had a pinstripe dress code on Fridays.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
"He wore a sharp navy pinstripe to the board meeting." (Refers to professional attire.)
Academic
"The study examined the sartorial semiotics of the pinstripe in 20th-century corporate culture." (Refers to a cultural symbol.)
Everyday
"Do you think a pinstripe is too formal for this interview?"
Technical
"The fabric is a super 110s wool with a 1/8-inch silver pinstripe." (Fashion/textile specification.)
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “pinstripe”
- Using 'pinstripe' to describe any stripe (must be very thin).
- Spelling as 'pin stripe' (should be one word or hyphenated: pinstripe/pin-stripe).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, while most commonly associated with suits, it can describe any fabric, trousers, jackets, shirts, or even dresses with that specific thin-striped pattern.
A pinstripe is a very thin, solid line. A chalk stripe is typically wider, softer-edged, and looks as if drawn with chalk, often seen as slightly less formal.
No, 'pinstripe' is not standardly used as a verb. It is a noun and an adjective. The act would be described as 'striped with a pinstripe' or 'featuring a pinstripe'.
Yes, this is a common metonymic use, especially in phrases like 'dressed in pinstripes'.
A very thin, straight stripe, especially on fabric, often found in formal business suits.
Pinstripe is usually formal/neutral. common in business, fashion, and descriptive contexts. in register.
Pinstripe: in British English it is pronounced /ˈpɪn.straɪp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈpɪn.straɪp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The pinstripe brigade (UK, informal: people working in finance/banking)”
- “A sea of pinstripes (describing a crowd of formally dressed businesspeople)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
PIN + STRIPE: Imagine a stripe as thin as a pin.
Conceptual Metaphor
THE CORPORATE WORLD IS A PINSTRIPE SUIT (e.g., 'He escaped the pinstripe life to become a potter.').
Practice
Quiz
What is the primary connotation of 'pinstripe' in a business context?