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Gabardine is a tough, tightly woven fabric used to make suits, overcoats and trousers, or a garment made from the material. The fibre used to make the fabric is traditionally worsted (a woolen yarn), but may also be cotton, synthetic or mixed. The fabric is smooth on one side and has a diagonally ribbed surface on the other. Gabardine is a form of twill weave.
History
The material was invented in the late 19th century by Thomas Burberry, founder of the Burberry fashion house in Basingstoke. The fabric takes its name from the gaberdine (with an 'e') which is a long, loose overgarment tied at the waist. This was commonly worn in Europe in the Middle Ages by pilgrims, beggars and almsmen, and for some time later by many European Jews.
A jacket made of this material was worn by George Mallory on his ill-fated summit attempt of Mount Everest in 1924.
Care instructions
Depending on the type, gabardine either needs to be dry cleaned, as most other wools, or is machine washable and dryable on a low cycle. A warm iron should be used for pressing; ironing it at a higher temperature would mark the fabric.
External links
— from BBC News Online
"Gabardine"