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pinstripe

C2
noun

Pronunciation

UK

  • /pˈɪnstraɪp/

US

  • /ˈpɪnˌstraɪp/

Description

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.

Examples

  1. 1

    Fabric pattern

    The jacket was dark blue with a fine pinstripe.

  2. 2

    Interview attire

    He wore a gray pinstripe suit to the interview.

  3. 3

    Subtle pattern

    From a distance, the pinstripes on her trousers were almost invisible.

  4. 4

    Sports uniform

    The team brought back its classic white uniform with navy pinstripes.

See also

nouna very narrow stripe in fabric, especially on suits

Similar

  • fine stripe
  • hairline stripe

Shades of meaning

  • chalk stripe
  • striped

Contrast

Used with (collocations)

  • pinstripe suit
  • pinstripe trousers
  • navy pinstripe

Word family

  • pinstriped

Explore

Forms and spellings

1 form open this card.

Main spelling

  • pinstripenoun