This site uses cookies. Some of these cookies are essential to the operation of the site, while others help to improve your experience by providing insights into how the site is being used. For more information, please see the ProZ.com privacy policy.
Cookie settings
  1. KudoZ™ Top
  2. English
  3. Textiles / Clothing / Fashion

lawn shirt

English translation: shirt made of fine, cool cotton

02:56 Jul 23, 2008
English language (monolingual) [PRO]
Art/Literary - Textiles / Clothing / Fashion
English term or phrase: lawn shirt
how is it different from a regular shirt?

A 19th c. London gentleman's apparel: a riding coat, a pair of tan breeches, a white lawn shirt, a cravat and wool hose.
allp
Poland
Local time: 06:38
Selected answer:shirt made of fine, cool cotton
Explanation:
Lawn is a type of pure cotton fabric, often used in hot weather. It is lightweight and of very good quality.

see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_cloth
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-baby-children-3...

and generally, see here
http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=lawn fabric&meta=
http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=cotton lawn fabric&btnG=...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 53 mins (2008-07-23 03:50:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In the first link above it says
The term "lawn" is derived from "Laon", a city in France which was a large manufacturer of linen lawn.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-07-23 04:46:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

From Thackeray's Vanity fair;
Though he was scarcely eleven years of age, Master George wore straps and the most beautiful little boots like a man. He had gilt spurs, and a gold-headed whip, and a fine pin in his handkerchief, and the neatest little kid gloves which Lamb's Conduit Street could furnish. His mother had given him a couple of neckcloths, and carefully hemmed and made some little shirts for him; but when her Eli came to see the widow, they were replaced by much finer linen. He had little jewelled buttons in the lawn shirt fronts.

and Thackeray's Catherine:
The Captain came to the ground in a fine white lawn shirt and nightcap; and, being a Papist in his religion, was attended by Father O’Flaherty, Popish priest, and chaplain to the Bavarian Envoy.

There are a lot of references in nineteenth century literature

see also
http://74.125.39.104/search?q=cache:XSZ12bL6a3sJ:www.kissthe...
Selected response from:

Shera Lyn Parpia
Italy
Local time: 06:38
Grading comment
Thanks a lot, Shera!
4 KudoZ points were awarded for this answer



SUMMARY OF ALL EXPLANATIONS PROVIDED
5 +11shirt made of fine, cool cotton
Shera Lyn Parpia
5tailored shirt for sport
Demi Ebrite


  

Answers


9 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5
tailored shirt for sport


Explanation:
Please see URLs for examples.

I do not know the origin of this term; today, a lawn shirt is a tailored, casual shirt for lounging or less formal attire


    Reference: http://www.gap.com/browse/product.do?cid=26279&pid=538178
    Reference: http://www.captainslanding.com/store/product/tori-richard-mu...
Demi Ebrite
United States
Local time: 23:38
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Vincentius Mariatmo: Agree ^^
55 mins
  -> Thank you Vincentius!
disagree  Tony M: 'lawn' refers to a fine fabric, nothing to do with the purpose of the garment; even your own first ref. makes this clear.
4 hrs
  -> Thank you Tony! I learned that from Shera!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)

52 mins   confidence: Answerer confidence 5/5 peer agreement (net): +11
shirt made of fine, cool cotton


Explanation:
Lawn is a type of pure cotton fabric, often used in hot weather. It is lightweight and of very good quality.

see
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lawn_cloth
http://www.fabric.com/apparel-fashion-fabric-baby-children-3...

and generally, see here
http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=lawn fabric&meta=
http://www.google.it/search?hl=it&q=cotton lawn fabric&btnG=...

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 53 mins (2008-07-23 03:50:36 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

In the first link above it says
The term "lawn" is derived from "Laon", a city in France which was a large manufacturer of linen lawn.

--------------------------------------------------
Note added at 1 hr (2008-07-23 04:46:26 GMT)
--------------------------------------------------

From Thackeray's Vanity fair;
Though he was scarcely eleven years of age, Master George wore straps and the most beautiful little boots like a man. He had gilt spurs, and a gold-headed whip, and a fine pin in his handkerchief, and the neatest little kid gloves which Lamb's Conduit Street could furnish. His mother had given him a couple of neckcloths, and carefully hemmed and made some little shirts for him; but when her Eli came to see the widow, they were replaced by much finer linen. He had little jewelled buttons in the lawn shirt fronts.

and Thackeray's Catherine:
The Captain came to the ground in a fine white lawn shirt and nightcap; and, being a Papist in his religion, was attended by Father O’Flaherty, Popish priest, and chaplain to the Bavarian Envoy.

There are a lot of references in nineteenth century literature

see also
http://74.125.39.104/search?q=cache:XSZ12bL6a3sJ:www.kissthe...


Shera Lyn Parpia
Italy
Local time: 06:38
Specializes in field
Native speaker of: Native in EnglishEnglish
PRO pts in category: 8
Grading comment
Thanks a lot, Shera!

Peer comments on this answer (and responses from the answerer)
agree  Demi Ebrite: Good work, Shera! : ) I presume 'lawn shirts' are/were button down or oxford style ~ allp's answer is a white (oxford) shirt made from lawn cloth ~ the fine cloth here is the key, as it's 'London gentleman's' apparel ?
23 mins
  -> thank you, yes I do think the fabric is the key, and daresay the style might vary.
agree  orientalhorizon
55 mins
  -> thanks!
agree  Phong Le
1 hr
  -> thank you.
agree  carly kelly
2 hrs
  -> thanks :)
agree  Jack Doughty
3 hrs
  -> thanks.
agree  Melzie: that brings back fond memories of Liberty Tana Lawn dresses made for me by my mother when I was a child.
3 hrs
  -> me too!
agree  Max Nuijens
3 hrs
  -> thanks.
agree  Tony M: Yes, it is all about the fabric type, and says nothing about the actual style; you get 'lawn handkerchiefs' too, for example...
3 hrs
  -> thanks :)
agree  NancyLynn: absolutely
11 hrs
  -> thanks.
agree  Alp Berker
12 hrs
  -> thanks.
agree  Tania McConaghy
13 hrs
  -> thanks!
Login to enter a peer comment (or grade)



Login or register (free and only takes a few minutes) to participate in this question.

You will also have access to many other tools and opportunities designed for those who have language-related jobs (or are passionate about them). Participation is free and the site has a strict confidentiality policy.

Return to KudoZ list

KudoZ™ translation help

The KudoZ network provides a framework for translators and others to assist each other with translations or explanations of terms and short phrases.

See also:
ProZ.com term search
Search millions of term translations
Close search
Term search
  • All of ProZ.com
  • Term search
  • Jobs
  • Forums
  • Multiple search