Gabardine is a tough, tightly woven fabric used to make suits, overcoats and trousers, or a garment made from the material. The fibre used to make the fabric is traditionally worsted (a woolen yarn), but may also be cotton, synthetic or mixed. The fabric is smooth on one side and has a diagonally ribbed surface on the other.
The fabric takes its name from the garment, the gaberdine, which is a long, loose overgarment tied at the waist. This was commonly worn in Europe in the Middle Ages by pilgrims, beggars and almsmen, and for some time later by many European Jews.
