Herringbone is a distinctive V-shaped pattern created during weaving, often described as a broken twill. It resembles the skeleton of a herring fish, which is the origin of the name, and is most commonly seen in wool or tweed fabrics used for suits, jackets, and outerwear, as well as in flooring and tiling patterns. Key points

• Pattern and weave: Herringbone is formed by alternating diagonal lines in a Twill weave, producing a zigzag or fishbone effect. Each reversal point creates the characteristic V-shape, and the colors can shift at the reversal to enhance the pattern.

• Textile uses: Frequently found in fabrics such as tweed, wool suiting, and jackets, but also used in upholstery, carpets, and other interior textiles.

• Variants: Sometimes described as a “broken twill weave” because the diagonal weave lines are interrupted at each reversal, which distinguishes it from a continuous twill or chevron pattern.

• Common contexts: Herringbone is associated with classic, durable textiles and is admired for its subtle texture and timeless appearance in both fashion and home décor.

If you’d like, I can tailor this to a specific context (fashion, interior design, or flooring) and provide examples of where to spot authentic herringbone goods or how to-care tips for different materials.