Identifying and labelling a fabric as striped is about as surface scraping as a bride mandating flowers at her wedding. While that’s a lovely idea Kelly and we're sure your wedding planner can't wait to deliver what’s cooking inside your imagination...could you perhaps be a little more specific than just simply flowers?
Stripes (like Kelly’s flowers) are so much more than their basic discriptor. There are fat stripes, thin stripes, horizontal stripes, vertical stripes, stripes of alternating size, of alternating colour and even texture too. For the interior aficionado looking to impress their upholsterer (or tailor) with knowledge of the fabric game (and to spare 12 extra billable hours of brainstorm) here is your definitive guide to stripes:
The Bengal Stripe
A balanced stripe usually alternating between a white ground and a bold colour such as pink, yellow or blue. The proportions of ground to stripe are even throughout. It’s no coincidence that Bengal is the name as both the pattern and the feline are native to India.
The Candy Stripe
Slightly thicker than the Bengal Stripe, the Candy Stripe is as well an alternation of equally sized ground and colour stripes also common in a white and bright sync. The Candy Stripe was given its name solely due to its resemblance seen in the minty holiday treat.
The Regency Stripe
Thicker than both the Candy and Regal Stripe, the Regency stripe is yet another repeat of ground and colour. The Regency stripe is aptly named so for its association with the Regency Period in England and not unlike other interior decor of the same era, is seen in near pastel pinks, yellows and blues.
Psst: check out the neutral Regency Stripes featured on our Black Bamboo Patio Set
The Awning Stripe
A favourite on the 90’s styled bungalow, these stripes are you guessed it; a repeat of white ground and colour. These stripes are particularly wide, but mostly due to their use in large scales (ie. Awnings and Parisols)
Seersucker Stripe
Textured by its use of a technique called puckering, Seersucker is a fabric saved almost exclusively for clothing. The dual coloured pattern (commonly light blue and white) are woven in a pattern of alternation to produce its textured look and feel.
The Hairline Stripe
Straight forward in its name, the Hairline stripe is but the thinnest stripe of all going virtually unnoticeable on the dress shirt it calls home.
The Rugby Stripe
Unique in its orientation, the Rugby Stripe runs itself horizontal rather than the traditional expectation of striping; vertical. Unlikely to ever be seen in formal clothing or upholstery, the Rugby Stripe is reserved for polo shirts, t-shirts and of course the name that started it all, the rugby shirt.
Texas A&M Women's Rugby 1976
There you go, the stripe game isn’t as simple as lines on lines on lines (unless perhaps you’re talking about the other Stripe Club, the one that drops the E and is open much later into the evening.) Stripes aren’t a one size fits all cloak of generality but are in fact an entire ecosystem of shape, size and texture. Whether you’re off to your tailor, to the fabric store or struggling to make conversational ends meet; you’re now well versed in linear love and fit to drop lines of knowledge.