Worsted

Wool whose fibers are combed and aligned in parallel before spinning. This produces a smooth, firm yarn and a fabric with a clean drape that holds a crease. Suits, sport coats and wool trousers are usually made of worsted; fresco and hopsack are worsted fabrics. The counterpart is woolen yarn, from which flannel, for example, is often woven.

Related terms

  • Double-breasted jacketJacket with overlapping fronts and two rows of buttons, usually with peak lapels.
  • FrescoWorsted in an open plain weave made of highly twisted yarns.
  • HopsackWool fabric in a basket weave, in which two or more threads are interlaced together.
  • FlannelSoft wool fabric with a brushed, matte surface, often made of woolen yarn.
  • SuitJacket and trousers made of the same fabric, usually smooth worsted wool, cut together and worn together.
  • GabardineDense fabric in a steep twill weave with a fine, steep diagonal rib on the face.