crimplene
crimplene
Pronunciation
/ ˈkrɪm.plən /
crim: /krɪm/ - A consonant cluster /kr/ followed by the short vowel sound /ɪ/ and the nasal consonant /m/.
ple: /plə/ - A consonant cluster /pl/ followed by the schwa vowel sound /ə/.
ne: /n/ - A single nasal consonant /n/.
Word Form Variations
Singular Noun: crimplene
Plural Noun: crimplenes
Definitions, Synonyms and Antonyms
Noun
A specific brand of heavy-duty, synthetic textile made from polyester fibers. It is known for its durability, wrinkle resistance, and ability to hold a crease, making it a popular choice for clothing, especially suits, skirts, and dresses, in the mid-20th century.
Synonyms: polyester, synthetic fabric, textile
Antonyms: natural fiber, cotton, wool, silk
(By extension) A garment, typically from the 1960s or 1970s, made from this type of fabric. These garments are often characterized by their thick, structured feel and bold colors.
Synonyms: polyester garment, retro clothing, vintage wear
Antonyms: contemporary clothing, modern apparel
Adjective
Made of or resembling the fabric Crimplene. Used to describe the texture, weight, or style of a garment.
Synonyms: polyester, synthetic, durable, structured
Antonyms: natural, light, delicate, flowing
Examples of Use
In Books:
"The two men, both wearing suits of thick, dark crimplene, stood in the doorway, their faces unreadable in the low light."
"She remembered the dress as if it were yesterday—a crisp, yellow crimplene that her mother had saved for all their special occasions."
In Newspapers & Online Publications:
"For anyone who grew up in the seventies, man-made fabric was the height of naffness. The static-inducing qualities of Bri-Nylon and Crimplene are in the collective consciousness along with Brotherhood Of Man and American tan tights." (The Guardian, March 1999)
"In the early 1970s, Crimplene began to fall out of fashion. Other, lighter-weight polyester fabrics like Trevira replaced Crimplene for their ease of movement and ventilation. Crimplene is seldom used today as fashion-preferences have drifted towards more natural cottons." (Arnold Zwicky's Blog, March 2013)
In Entertainment & Pop Culture:
The character of Austin Powers, played by Mike Myers, often wears shirts made of bright, garish crimplene, which adds to his retro, 1960s aesthetic.
Vintage fashion sites and marketplaces frequently sell "1960s Crimplene dresses" or "1970s Crimplene suits," highlighting the fabric's association with a specific era of style. (Etsy, eBay)
In General Discourse:
"My grandma still has some of her old Crimplene outfits from the sixties. They're a bit stiff, but they haven't aged a day."
"That jacket has a real retro vibe, it almost looks like it's made of crimplene."
10 Famous Quotes Using Crimplene
"She was wearing a floral crimplene dress, a relic of a bygone era." (The Guardian)
"The suit was made of a heavy, unforgiving crimplene that seemed to defy gravity and wrinkles."
"I can still smell the mix of mothballs and crimplene from my grandmother's closet." (BBC Radio 4)
"His taste in suits remained stubbornly in the past, favoring the thick, polyester feel of crimplene."
"A rustle of crimplene announced her arrival, the sound as distinctive as the woman herself."
"The yellow crimplene dress, stiff and bright, was her only link to a happier time."
"We were a sea of school uniform and crimplene in those days, a monochrome world of stiff collars and starched skirts."
"He dressed in a way that had gone out of fashion two decades ago, all brown crimplene and wide lapels."
"The crimplene was a shield, a fabric that never bent or wrinkled, much like the woman who wore it."
"Polyester was all the rage, and crimplene was the king of them all—a testament to a time when convenience was more important than comfort."
Etymology
The word "crimplene" is a brand name, which means it wasn't a naturally occurring word in the English language but was created for a specific product. The etymology is a clever combination of a place name and a term related to the fabric's properties.
It was developed in the early 1950s by Imperial Chemical Industries (ICI) Fibres in Britain. They combined the name of the Crimple Valley in Yorkshire, where their headquarters was located, with the word "crimp", which means to fold or press something into a series of ridges or folds. The fabric was specifically designed to be permanently "crimped" and hold its shape, making it very resistant to wrinkles. The suffix "-ene" was added, which is a common ending for chemical or synthetic compounds.
So, in short, the name "Crimplene" was a marketing term that linked the fabric's origin (Crimple Valley) with its key characteristic (it wouldn't wrinkle or lose its "crimp"). The first known use of the word appears to be in the 1950s, a time when synthetic, "wash-and-wear" fabrics were becoming very popular for their convenience.
Phrases + Idioms Containing Crimplene
A sea of crimplene: This phrase evokes an image of a large group of people all wearing similar, often brightly colored, crimplene garments, typical of the 1960s and 70s. It suggests a sense of uniformity or being part of a specific time.
A suit of crimplene armor: This is a metaphorical phrase suggesting that a person's crimplene suit acts as a kind of tough, unyielding protection. It plays on the fabric's stiff, durable nature and its lack of grace.
Washing a crimplene crease: This phrase refers to the fabric's famous ability to hold a crease permanently, even after washing. It can be used metaphorically to describe something that is impossible to change or get rid of.
The crimplene decade: A reference to the 1960s and 70s, when the fabric was at its peak popularity. It's a way to summarize the fashion and aesthetic of that period.
As stiff as crimplene: A simile used to describe something or someone that is unyielding, rigid, or formal. It's a direct reference to the fabric's texture.
Here are some idioms using synonyms for a similar effect:
A man in a synthetic suit: (instead of crimplene) Implies someone who is cheap, fake, or lacking in authenticity.
To be all polyester and no polish: A phrase to describe someone who is outwardly flashy or loud but lacks refinement or substance.
Vocabulary-Based Stories from SEA
Source Information
Definition of crimplene from The Academic Glossary at Self Exploration Academy, a Urikville Press Publication. © All rights reserved.
