Cadarço

Cadarço is the Portuguese term for a lace or cord used to fasten footwear and other garments. In everyday use it commonly refers to the shoelace found on sneakers, boots, and dress shoes, but the word can also denote cords used for drawstrings or tightening mechanisms in clothing and bags.

Materials and forms vary. Cadarços can be made from natural fibers such as cotton or from synthetic fibers like polyester and nylon. They may be flat (fios planos) or round (cordões), and some are waxed or coated to increase durability and resistance to moisture. The ends of cadarços are protected by tips, known as aglets, which are typically plastic or metal to prevent fraying.

Manufacturing generally involves weaving or braiding the chosen fibers to create a long, slender ribbon or cord. The length, thickness, and shape of a cadarço are selected according to the intended footwear or application, with longer and thicker cadarços used for boots or heavy-duty shoes and shorter, thinner varieties for lightweight sneakers and dress shoes.

Common uses extend beyond footwear. Cadarços are also employed as decorative laces on clothing, as strings in bags, or in craft projects. They can be purchased in a wide range of colors and patterns to suit fashion and functional needs.

Care and maintenance are straightforward: cadarços should be kept clean, dried after exposure to moisture, and replaced when fraying or loss of integrity becomes evident. Replacing worn cadarços is a common and inexpensive way to extend the life of footwear.

See also: shoelace, lace (textile).