Replis

Replis is a term that appears in a limited set of English-language sources to describe folds or pleats in fabric, derived from the French word repli meaning “fold.” In fashion and textile design, replis refer to the arranged folds formed by pleating or by draping fabric. They can be permanent structural features in garments such as skirts or decorative elements in textiles and upholstery. The term is more commonly found in French- or bilingual contexts, and in English usage it remains relatively uncommon; many writers use the more general terms pleat, fold, or crease.

Etymology and usage are central to understanding replis. The word comes from French repli, historically used in garment descriptions and textile catalogs. In English dictionaries, replis as a standalone term is rarely listed, and when it appears it often signals influence from French technical vocabulary or a specific design brief rather than standard, widespread usage.

In contexts outside textiles, replis is not a standard technical term in established disciplines. When encountered in English-language writing beyond fashion, it is typically a transliteration, a brand name, or an error for other words such as “replies” or “replisome” in genetics. Consequently, interpretation of replis depends heavily on context, and readers should consider surrounding terms to determine whether the reference is to fabric folds, a French-origin descriptor, or something else entirely.