What does tarlatan mean?
Tarlatan is a thin, somewhat stiff and glossy textile, traditionally made from silk or cotton and decorated with large, irregularly shaped patterns. It was associated especially with cloth imported from India and became known in Europe through the early-modern textile trade. Because “tarlatan” is uncommon today, it is most likely to appear in textile studies, costume history, inventories, or descriptions of historic dress rather than in everyday conversation. The word should not be confused with tartan, a patterned woolen cloth associated particularly with Scottish dress; tarlatan is usually a lighter, differently patterned fabric made from other fibers. Although dictionaries sometimes broaden its description to silk or cotton cloth with striking designs, the central idea is a glossy, boldly patterned textile rather than a garment or a particular color. Tarlatan is consequently useful for identifying the specific material or appearance of historical clothing and decorative fabric.
nounA thin, somewhat stiff and glossy fabric, traditionally made of silk or cotton and decorated with large, irregularly shaped patterns. It was historically associated particularly with textiles imported from India.
- A thin, somewhat stiff and glossy fabric of silk or cotton, decorated with large, irregularly shaped patterns and historically imported from India.
"The costume designer trimmed the period gown with tarlatan woven in vivid floral patterns."
"A bolt of floral tarlatan was used to create the sleeves of her eighteenth-century gown."
"The textile museum holds examples of Indian silk tarlatan dating from the colonial period."
Rarely used; pluralization is appropriate when referring to distinct pieces or types of the fabric.
"The collection includes tarlatans made from both silk and cotton."
Tarlatan brought the bold, oversized patterns of Indian cloth into fashionable European dress.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does tarlatan come from?
The English word was borrowed through Hindi from a term for a patterned textile associated with India. It entered European usage for fabrics encountered through Indian trade, and its association with silk and cotton helped establish its history in costume and textile terminology. The ultimate source of the borrowed term is uncertain, so proposed links to other languages or places should be treated cautiously.
How tarlatan is actually used
The word is uncommon in modern general English but remains relevant in textile history, costume history, and descriptions of historic garments or decorative fabrics.
Easily confused with tarlatan
Tarlatan is a thin, glossy patterned fabric traditionally made from silk or cotton, whereas tartan is a patterned woolen cloth associated especially with Scottish dress.