Grain (textile)

Woven fabric is more elastic as well as more fluid in the bias direction, compared to the straight and cross grains.

The "bias-cut" is a technique used by designers for cutting clothing to utilize the greater stretch in the bias or diagonal direction of the fabric, thereby causing it to accentuate body lines and curves and drape softly.

[3] Before her time, bias cut was rare in women's clothing and in men’s garments was highly unconventional to the point of being outré.

As an example, in the early 1800’s, the specially-designed clothing of the dandy and celebrity chef Alexis Soyer were remarked on by George Augustus Sala, on meeting Soyer in the Hungerford Market:"...an extraordinary oddity was added to his appearance by the circumstance that every article of his attire, save, I suppose, his gloves and boots, was cut on what dressmakers call a "bias", or as he himself, when I came to know him well, used to designate as à la zoug-zoug.

"[4]In the Middle Ages, before the development of knitting, hose were cut on the bias in order to make them fit better.