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Madras

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description Madras Overview

Madras is a lightweight cotton fabric woven in a plain weave and characterized by its brightly colored plaid, check, or striped patterns. The textile originated in and takes its name from the city of Madras (now Chennai), on the southeast coast of India, where it has been produced since at least the 16th century. A distinguishing feature of authentic madras is that its yarns are often dyed with vegetable-based pigments that fade with washing, a quality sometimes marketed as 'bleeding madras.' The fabric was widely exported to Britain and its colonies and became a staple of preppy and Ivy League menswear in the mid-20th century.

help Madras FAQ

What is madras fabric made from?

Madras is traditionally a lightweight cotton textile woven in a plain weave. Its bright checks, stripes, and plaids are often created with yarn-dyed threads.

Where did madras fabric originate?

The textile takes its name from Madras, the former name of Chennai on India's southeastern coast. Textile production around Chennai helped establish madras as a recognizable cotton fabric.

Why does some madras fabric bleed when washed?

Traditional madras textiles can use dyes that run during washing, causing neighboring colors to blend into softer checks. This characteristic is especially associated with older handwoven or so-called bleeding madras fabrics.

Why is madras fabric associated with the Caribbean?

Madras cotton was traded from India to the Caribbean, where it became part of regional clothing and cultural dress. In the United States, plaid madras shirts became especially popular during the 1960s.

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