pinstripe
C2Pronunciation
UK
- /pˈɪnstraɪp/
US
- /ˈpɪnˌstraɪp/
Description
- Thin vertical stripes
- often on suits
- classic style
Pinstripes are very thin vertical lines, usually in a light color on a darker fabric. They are best known from tailored suits and often give clothes a neat, formal, and classic look. Many people also connect them with business wear or with the sharp suits seen in older films. The pattern is not only used in clothing, though. You can also see it on shirts, dresses, wallpaper, or other designed surfaces. Overall, it suggests order, style, and a clean, polished appearance.
Pinstripes are a classic pattern made of very narrow vertical stripes running along a fabric or surface. The lines are usually light and set against a darker background, which makes them look sharp without seeming too bold. The word is most often used for clothing, especially suits, but the pattern appears in other kinds of design as well.
In clothing, pinstripes are strongly linked with formal and business style. A pinstripe suit is often seen as smart, serious, and traditional. Because the stripes are so fine, they add detail without making the fabric look busy. For that reason, the pattern has long been popular in tailored jackets, trousers, shirts, and dresses. It is also well known from older images of businessmen, jazz-era fashion, and gangster films, which helped give it a strong cultural image.
The pattern is not limited to suits. It can also appear on accessories such as ties and scarves, and sometimes in furniture, wallpaper, or other decorative materials. In these settings, it often creates a feeling of structure, height, or quiet elegance. The effect is simple, but it can change how a whole outfit or room feels.
The term can refer either to the pattern itself or to something that has this pattern. In most cases, it describes a surface marked by these fine stripes and the classic, polished style that comes with them. Whether you picture a formal suit, a dress shirt, or a carefully designed room, pinstripes suggest a look that is tidy, stylish, and timeless.
Examples
- 1
Fabric pattern
The jacket was dark blue with a fine pinstripe.
- 2
Interview attire
He wore a gray pinstripe suit to the interview.
- 3
Subtle pattern
From a distance, the pinstripes on her trousers were almost invisible.
- 4
Sports uniform
The team brought back its classic white uniform with navy pinstripes.
Forms and spellings
1 form open this card.
Main spelling
- pinstripenoun