Jacquard is a fabric in which the pattern is not printed: it is woven, thread by thread, on the loom itself. That, in essence, is what jacquard is: flowers, damasks, and geometric patterns that take shape within the fabric and stand out in relief when the light hits them. For centuries, it adorned ballrooms, upholstery, and formal attire. Today, it returns in a lighter, satin-like, tone-on-tone form, moving with the body rather than imposing itself. Yes, you read that right: the fabric of palaces is now the fabric of your winter nights. And this season, you’ll see it everywhere.
What Is Jacquard and Why You'll Be Seeing It Everywhere
Looking for inspiration? Discover the textured fabric that adds a subtle sheen to your winter looks.
What is jacquard fabric?
Jacquard is a fabric whose pattern is created on the loom by individually raising the warp threads. The motif is integrated into the fabric’s very structure, with relief and texture, and therefore does not fade or wear away like a print.
That’s where its magic lies. A print sits on top of the fabric; jacquard inhabits it. That’s why it’s not a fiber, but a technique: it can be woven from silk, cotton, wool, viscose, or polyester, and in each one it tells a different story.
Recognizing it is almost a ritual. Run your fingers over the surface and you’ll feel the relief, sometimes barely perceptible. Turn it inside out: the reverse side features the same pattern in negative, like a photograph developed in reverse. Then, move under the light. In tone-on-tone jacquard, the motif appears and disappears among shiny and matte areas, as if the garment were breathing with you.
The Origins of Jacquard: From the Loom to the Runway
Its history begins in Lyon, the European capital of silk, in the early 19th century. There, in 1801, the weaver Joseph Marie Jacquard introduced a mechanism that controlled each warp thread using punched cards. Until then, weaving damask required an assistant who raised the threads by hand, pass by pass, during endless workdays. With the Jacquard loom, the pattern was recorded on cardboard and could be repeated with unprecedented precision.
The invention made brocades and damasks—which had previously been seen only in palaces and salons—accessible to a much wider audience. It also left an unexpected legacy: those punch cards inspired the first calculating machines, which is why the loom is considered a distant ancestor of computing.
From tapestries, it made the leap to ceremonial attire, then to haute couture, and finally to the runway. Today, looms are electronic, but the essence remains the same: transforming fabric into a canvas.
Types of Jacquard
To talk about types of jacquard is to talk about a family with many distinct characteristics. Brocade is the most baroque: it adds extra threads—often metallic—that create raised patterns with an almost embroidered look. Damask is its quiet counterpart— tone-on-tone and reversible—with a pattern that emerges solely from the interplay between sheen and matte. It’s the fabric that inspires this season’s satin pieces.
Matelassé embraces volume: it’s a double-layered fabric with a quilted effect that gives body and structure to jackets and skirts. Jacquard knit brings the technique to knitwear, filling sweaters, cardigans, and dresses with multicolored patterns, featuring a reverse weave where threads shift from one shade to another. And metallic or lurex jacquard is the most evening-appropriate version: threads of light woven into the pattern, designed to sparkle when night falls.
Jacquard vs. Print: How They Differ
At first glance, they may seem similar, but they’re almost opposites. With printed fabric, the design is printed onto the surface; with jacquard, it’s woven right into the fabric. You can feel the difference before you see it: jacquard has a raised texture, while printed fabric feels smooth to the touch.
Jacquard also tends to have more body and a more substantial drape. Printed fabric depends on the base fabric and tends to be lighter. And time treats them differently: the woven pattern holds up wash after wash, while the printed design may gradually lose its vibrancy.
The ultimate trick? Turn the garment inside out. If the design is still there, in negative, it’s jacquard. If the reverse side looks faded or plain, it’s a printed fabric.
Jacquard in the Fall-Winter 2026-2027 Trends
This fall-winter, texture speaks just as loudly as color. Your wardrobe calls for pieces that reveal themselves up close, and tone-on-tone jacquard responds with a subtle sheen that enriches understated color palettes: black, charcoal gray, chocolate brown. The novelty lies in how it moves. Far from the stiffness of classic jacquard, it features bias-cut silhouettes, draping that caresses the neck, and fringe that sways with every step. If you want the full picture, check out our fall-winter 2026–2027 trends. If you’d rather get right to it, these four looks will show you how to wear it.
Jacquard Top for Winter Dinners
Some dinners call for something more than just the basics, but not quite as much as a dress. For these occasions, the star of the show is a long, sleeveless black satin top with a tone-on-tone floral jacquard pattern that only appears when the light catches it, like a well-kept secret. The draped neckline, in a soft halter style, delicately frames the shoulders and collarbones, and the asymmetrical V-shaped hem creates a line that elongates the silhouette. Pair it with straight-leg pants in ecru: the contrast between the deep black and off-white brightens the ensemble and balances the sheen. Finish the look with thin-strapped sandals, a small clutch, and your hair pulled back so the neckline takes center stage. Formal, yet relaxed. Elegant, yet seemingly effortless.
Jacquard mini dress for parties
When the plan is to dance, the dress has to dance with you. This [gray party dress] in charcoal gets it perfectly: its tone-on-tone jacquard with a satin-like sheen captures every glint on the dance floor and reflects it back, multiplied. The high halter neckline leaves your arms and shoulders bare. At the front, a scarf-like strip cascades down, unfurling into long fringes that move to your rhythm—it’s the detail that transforms a mini dress into a special-occasion piece. The short, sleeveless, flared cut looks wonderful with opaque black tights and stiletto ankle boots, or with pumps if it’s a gala evening. Add some silver earrings and let the fabric do the talking. The look that says it all without saying a word.
Jacquard skirt for the office and beyond
Charcoal gray, cut on the bias, and with a barely perceptible sheen: this gray skirt is proof that jacquard has a place in your wardrobe, too. The bias cut allows the fabric to drape close to the body without clinging, with that fluidity found only in well-tailored pieces. A thin black drawstring, tied at the waist and left loose in the front, breaks up the color palette with a subtle touch, and the double hem with a wavy finish adds movement with every step. In the morning, pair it with a fine-knit sweater and loafers for a stylish office look. As the afternoon wears on, swap the sweater for a black bodysuit, add heels and some gold hoop earrings . One garment, two looks, and no need to change outfits.
Jacquard Dress for a Winter Wedding Guest
Winter weddings, December baptisms, company dinners at long tables... Some celebrations call for understated elegance with soul, and this midi-maxi dress in very dark brown—almost black—has just that. It’s made of the same tone-on-tone satin jacquard as the rest of the collection, and its pattern reveals itself with every movement, like a tapestry in the twilight. The round neckline and long, slightly flared sleeves give it an elegant and timeless air, and the bias-cut design does the rest with a fluid drape that falls to mid-calf. It’s one of those wedding guest dresses that doesn’t need much: a long camel-colored coat, leather pumps, and gold jewelry to bring out the chocolate hue. If you’re looking for a winter wedding guest outfit that will last beyond a single season, start here.
How to care for jacquard garments
A jacquard garment is a small work of art created on a loom and deserves care that matches its quality. Always start by checking the care label. Silk, viscose, and metallic fabrics are best hand-washed in cold water or dry-cleaned; cotton and polyester can be machine-washed on a delicate cycle at 30 °C. Wash it inside out and in a laundry bag to protect its texture, and avoid the dryer: lay it flat to dry or hang it on a hanger, away from direct heat.
When ironing, do so inside out, at a low temperature, and with a thin cloth between the iron and the fabric. This way, the pattern retains its texture and the satin finish doesn’t develop unwanted shine.
Loose threads are its most delicate feature. Be careful with zippers, Velcro, rings, and bags with metal hardware. If a thread comes loose, don’t pull on it—push it back through from the inside using a needle.
And when storing it, use padded hangers for dresses and tops. Bias-cut skirts should be folded or hung by their ribbons, and knitwear should always be folded. It’s best to use breathable fabric covers rather than plastic ones: jacquard, like all fine fabrics, needs to breathe.
