ecru

Ecru is a pale, natural color that describes unbleached textile fibers, especially cotton and linen. The word derives from the French écru, meaning raw or unbleached, and historically referred to the undyed shade of fabric before processing.

In color terms, ecru sits between off-white and beige. Its undertone can be neutral gray, warm yellow, or light brown, depending on the fiber and dyeing method. Because manufacturers vary in definition, ecru can read as almost white in some textiles and as a light tan in others. It is distinct from ivory and beige in that it more closely resembles natural, unbleached fiber.

Common applications include clothing, linens, curtains, and upholstery. Ecru is widely used in fashion and interior design for its understated, versatile appearance and its ability to pair with a wide range of colors, from black and navy to earth tones.

Care considerations: pale colors like ecru may show stains more readily than darker fabrics, and the shade can shift with washing or exposure to sunlight. The precise hue depends on fiber content and dyeing, so ecru variants are not standardized.