Grosgrain ribbon is a ribbon made with loosely woven fabric, usually either silk or silk and something else like mohair or wool. “Gros” is the French word “gros” meaning large, or coarse. “Grain” comes from the French word “graine” meaning grain. Grosgrain ribbon is a large grain, or of a course texture. Some grosgrain ribbons are treated with a moire, meaning a waved or water-like effect done to the silk, a popular favorite for women’s attire, accessories, etc.

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During the 1600s, grosgrain fabric was used for the bulk part of women’s garments like jackets, petticoats, jerkins, etc. And it served a great purpose for the lower-class who couldn’t afford smooth silks or fine-woven wool. But it was not always for the lower class. In “Gone with the Wind,” Scarlet is seen wearing a hemmed-frock coat of grosgrain. Grosgrain remained a popular favorite for much of the next three centuries, until about the 1920s, at which point women began to prefer it more as a distinctive trim than a larger statement.


For the most part, as a fabric, it has remained taboo (except in black) as ladies prefer it as a trim. Thus grosgrain ribbon is much better known than grosgrain fabric. Often used for hems of polo shirts, underwear and other elasticized and non-elasticized uses, it is also used for men’s clothing now too. But this is the plainer version of grosgrain ribbon.


For grosgrain ribbons made of something finer like burnished silk or satin, hemming and ribbons for evening attire is a common use. It is often used for lapel facings on dress coats, tuxedos, and dinner jackets. For some women’s clothing where more than one article is attached with a ribbon to connect them, a subtle and not altogether unattractive connection can be made with grosgrain. It is also used for twill tape and internal reinforcements that are not seen outside the garment.
Grosgrain adds strength without the bulkiness as it is compact in its design. It can thus be used to reinforce belts and even novelty finishes like braids. It is also used visibly for such accessories as bowties and cummerbunds. Grosgrain ribbons can be seen in hat-making in top hats, trimming bands, creation ribbons (for ribbon flowers, etc.), and more.


Grosgrain does not work exclusively for clothing and clothing accessories. It is often used as the structural fabric reinforcement for book bindings. Additionally, messenger bags, luggage, and other bags often have grosgrain in the form of nylon grosgrain (webbing) for handles and wraparound reinforcement. It can secure cargo as well. Finally, grosgrain ribbon of a thinner make is often used for giftwrap ribbon and ribbons for hair bows. Grosgrain ribbon is one of the longest-lasting fabric types in recorded history. And with so many uses, it seems that grosgrain will be in demand for many years to come.