foulard, light silk fabric having a distinctive soft finish and a plain or simple twill weave. It is said to come originally from the Far East. In French the word foulard signifies a silk handkerchief.
The fabric, which is figured with a pattern printed in various colours, is used for dress material, handkerchiefs, scarves, and neckties. Fine textiles made from good-quality cotton yarn or man-made fibres are also sold as foulard and are used for the same purposes as the silk version.