sharkskin

American  

[shahrk-skin] / ˈʃɑrkˌskɪn /

noun

1. a smooth fabric of acetate or rayon with a dull or chalklike appearance, for apparel.

2. a fine worsted fabric in twill weave, compact in texture and light to medium in weight, for suits.

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sharkskin British  

/ ˈʃɑːkˌskɪn /

noun

1. a smooth glossy fabric of acetate rayon, used for sportswear, etc

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Etymology

Origin of sharkskin

First recorded in 1850–55; shark ¹ + skin

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sharkskin

And no one looked better in spearpoint collars and sharkskin silk suits than Ray.

From Seattle Times ● May 29, 2022

I grew up in Chicago in the 1960s, and so I’m also thinking about all those guys in those sharkskin suits and that processed hair.

From Slate ● Feb. 12, 2018

Several readers weighed in, some of them curious about the admittedly bizarre items I was so excited about discovering at the Tysons Corner Marshalls: striped jeans and a sharkskin suit.

From Washington Post ● Dec. 17, 2017

The Rousers, Max’s alumni who have been playing since 1977, took the stage at Arlene’s in their black shirts and sharkskin suits as the crowd thundered.

From New York Times ● Nov. 24, 2017

Of course, Adam would choose to dress up for the symphony and a 1960s sharkskin suit could’ve just been his cool take on formal, but I knew there was more to it than that.

From "If I Stay" by Gayle Forman

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