A chevron is a pattern of V shapes — or inverted Vs — repeated in rows to form continuous zigzag bands. The word comes from the French chevron, a rafter, and the motif runs from ancient pottery and heraldry to the sleeve insignia of military rank (the sergeant's stripes) and the famous zigzag knits of Missoni. In fabric, chevrons are woven, knitted, or printed as crisp zigzag stripes running across the cloth.
Chevron Versus Herringbone
The two are constantly confused, and the difference is the break. In a chevron, the zigzag lines are continuous: each V meets its mirror image point-to-point, so the eye follows an unbroken zigzag stripe. In herringbone, the diagonal columns reverse at the point, creating a broken, staggered effect like the bones of a herring. Chevron is a pattern of stripes; herringbone is a weave structure of reversed twill diagonals.
Chevron fabrics are made three ways: printed zigzags on any ground; woven stripes cut and sewn or woven with the points aligned; and knitted zigzags, where increases and decreases or colour changes build the points directly into the fabric — the technique behind Italian designer knitwear.
Where Chevrons Are Used
- Knitwear — zigzag sweaters and dresses are the fashion signature.
- Coats and jackets — chevron quilting and chevron-woven tweeds.
- Uniforms — sleeve chevrons denoting rank in military and police dress.
- Accessories and interiors — scarves, socks, cushions, and rugs take the graphic zigzag at any scale.
FAQs
- Is chevron the same as zigzag?
- In fabric terms, yes — chevron is the trade name for the regular V-zigzag pattern, from fine pinstriped zigzags to bold graphic bands.
- How can I tell chevron from herringbone?
- Follow one line: if the zigzag runs continuously point-to-point it is chevron; if the diagonal flips direction in short broken columns, it is herringbone.
- Why do sergeants wear chevrons?
- The V-shaped stripe became a rank badge in the early 19th century; one to three chevrons, points up or down by country and era, denote non-commissioned ranks.
Detailed Guides: see Chevron in the glossary A–Z listing of the Apparel Search fashion glossary for related terms.