Surface & finish
Moiré finish
Moiré describes a rippling, watered appearance on a fabric surface.
Also searched as: Moire, Watered fabric, Watered silk
Open the interactive guide ↗How it is made
A traditional route uses pressure during calendering to alter how parts of the fabric reflect light. The finished effect lies over the underlying fabric structure.
How to recognize it
Look for irregular flowing bands of light and dark, like watermarks.
Common uses
- Formalwear
- Ribbons
- Decorative furnishings
What to distinguish
Moiré is not necessarily silk, and a printed imitation or camera interference pattern does not establish a moiré finish.
Sources & further reading
Research checked 2026-09-27. Descriptions are original summaries; references support terminology and construction, not every product sold under a name.