A gauze – like cloth with a wrinkled surface created by alternating the S and Z shapes as the weft interlocks with the warp. The surface appearance varies with the tightness of the weave and the yarn used, varying from slightly puckered and crinkled to a soft mossy texture. There are many different weights in silk, wool and cotton, with a dull finish, good drape and durability.
I have a late 1800’s black wool crêponne coat from my grandmother, which I wore as a teenager (when I still had a waist to hip ratio that didn’t require the corseting that I would now need and she would have worn…!). The finish was not so tactile, but it felt good on and the slightly full skirt draped very well.