Combining all the fuzziness that resembles a caterpillar, the surge of chenille in the latest winter designer collections is relatively new. Although the textile industry of France first produced the fabric in the 18th century, it recently grew popular when designers started experimenting with the unique material once again.
Chenille is a type of fabric and yarn which you can use to make soft and fuzzy material. When the threads pile during yarn creation, they resemble a caterpillar, hence the French name. Different types of fibers combine to make this material, including silk, cotton, rayon, and wool. The sturdiness and softness of this textile make it a staple fixture for home décor and fashion.
Chenille was a popular trend back in the 90s, but it soon faded as the early 20s brought new trends. In the present, the latest trend centering around comfort has once again given rise to chenille’s popularity. Its comfort and coziness are key characteristics in reviving its importance in the present times, perfect for the autumn and winter wardrobe.
What Can We Use Chenille For?
In the 18th century and 90s, chenille was mostly used to make carpets, bedspreads, quilts, etc. But technological progress in the textile industry made the fabric wearable. Apart from that, people have realized that there is strength and durability in the fabric, making it a valuable piece in winter wardrobes. As a result, post-pandemic fashion is filled with designer lines of chenille apparel, along with various online stores like Anything Chenille selling clothes of this cozy fabric.
What Are The Advantages Of Chenille?
Like every fabric, chenille has its advantages and disadvantages. But it is mostly the courtesy of these advantages that the fabric has made a comeback in the latest fashion trends. The advantages include:
- It is very soft and comfortable to touch
- The fabric has a good drape that makes it suitable for shawls and robes
- There is a slight sheen that makes the fabric suitable for every event
- It is thick, warm, and durable
- The fabric is water-absorbent
- It resists abrasion even after long periods of usage
- It retains heat, making it perfect for the winter
What Are The Disadvantages Of Chenille?
Nothing is perfect, and so chenille has its flaws as well. The disadvantages are:
- The fabric is fussier to clean and maintain
- It can stretch and distort easily, making it unsuitable for rough usage
- It can shrink
While the disadvantages might make some frown, they merely act as maintenance notes to people who love to use chenille. Clearly, the pros heavily outweigh the cons, making any home décor or clothing made up of chenille worth the expense.
How To Wear Chenille?
Chenille clothing is a versatile option that almost every person can appreciate. Therefore, if you aren’t taking advantage of the trendiness of this fabric, then head to the nearest shopping district because we are here to give you some inspiration for your winter outfits featuring chenille.
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Mix Textures
The most noticeable part of the chenille is the fabric’s fuzzy texture. The soft yarn helps in giving the fabric a natural finishing that can work well with any outfit. But if you don’t want to look like a fuzzy ball head to toe, all you have to do is mix some textures.
You can make an eye-catching pair by putting on some leather pants with your chenille sweater to mix it up. Not only will it give you a very chic appearance, but it also adds a little edginess that never hurts. To make the look more feminine, you can opt for an off-shoulder sweater with a lace vest underneath to make them look softer.
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Switch Up The Pieces
A chenille sweater isn’t the only piece you can find in the market. You can now find chenille dresses, cardigans, dress sweaters, and shirts in the market to fit every occasion. Therefore, you can stay warm and stylish by pairing a chenille dress with long boots to get a regal yet feminine look that can keep you warm and comfortable. You can also opt for wearing a chenille cardigan over a plain tucked-in t-shirt and jeans to define your shape and stay warm.
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Stay Simple
You don’t always have to go all out to make your outfit shine. As we said, chenille fabric has a light sheen that makes the fabric look very chic on its own. Therefore, you can create a very on-point look by making your chenille top or sweater the main focus of your outfit. For this, opt for basic-colored shoes and pants and pair them with a beautiful chenille sweater to give it the spotlight. Such outfits are perfect for brunch or a day out running errands when you want to look beautiful without putting in too much effort.
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Play With Colors
Who said your winter outfits have to be in neutral and muted colors. You can stand out from the crowd by choosing bright colors in winter. For this purpose, you can find chenille dresses, tops, cardigans, sweaters, and shawls in almost every color. Adding a bright-colored sweater on top of a simple outfit can change the whole look, making it more interesting.
If you want your chenille piece and its color to stand out, you will have to pair it with neutrals like brown and black so that they blend in the background and let your chenille piece pop.
Chenille gives you the luxury to look stylish without sacrificing your comfort. The softness fuzziness of the material makes it the perfect low-effort piece for a beautiful outfit. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about sacrificing warmth and comfort for a night of fun. You can decorate your chenille piece by adding accessories such as chains and bracelets in gold and silver. In another sense, you can dress up or dress down as much as you like with your favorite chenille piece. Needless to say, this fabric won’t betray you at any event, day, or occasion in the long autumn and winter days.
