What is criplene (British fabric)?

For more than you probably wanted to know about crimplene, see

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Google will tell you plenty, including

( )and from fashion-era.com:"Crimplene was the material worn by the masses from the early sixties. Crimplene is trademark highbulk polyester by I think the then Dupont and has a spongy thick quality witha textured embossed effect surface and often copied brocade type pattern texture. As the decade progressed it became silkier and slinkier and much less bulky. It is also non fraying so there was a boom in home dressmaking. It also lent itself to the skirt shape of the era - the mini skirt. It came in a massive range of colours and best of all it came in carefree easy launder white. So the masses at last could wear white without fear of needing a launderess. You just threw it into the washing machine and it drip dried."

It was a fairly nasty-feeling sweaty synthetic with a harsh, bulky texture, but at the time it was so cool that wearers almost got frostbite. I've heard that it was named after Crimple Valley, a pretty area south-east of Harrogate that certainly doesn't deserve it. Apparently Crmplene's inventor lived in or had fond memories of Crimple Valley, so he immortalised it in his wonder fabric.

I can't imagine a modern heroine wearing Crimplene, unless she's a little old lady. I suppose if it was set in the 60s she might have been a swinging hot chick.

Sally Holmes Wakefield, West Yorkshire, England

Polyester double knit. Indestructible, everything was made from it including 'leisure suits' and quilts that have survived 30++ years and look the same as the day there were made.

I finally remembered where I first heard of crimplene. I met someone years ago who used to refer to her mother (but not to her face, obviously) as "St. Tessie of Crimp" in reference to both her approach to life and her preferred manner of dress. Made me chuckle...

Mike

Sounds just like me Mum......EVERYTHING was crimp. In every colour and texture imaginable. I think it was the fleece of the 60's. But its the quilts I remember most, and they are still around and look like they were just made. If you want to relive those wonderful days here you go.

My English friend used to describe her mother as having an "almighty sniff" which she would express when my friend served tea using a tea towel that was not up to her mother's standards.

-- Nadyne Nelson snipped-for-privacy@verizon.net