striped

Striped is an adjective used to describe objects or surfaces that feature stripes—long, narrow bands of color or shading that run across or along the surface. Stripes can be parallel and vary in width, color, and orientation, including vertical, horizontal, and diagonal arrangements. The term is applied across natural, human-made, and design contexts.

In nature, striped patterns occur in many species for various purposes such as camouflage, signaling, or temperature regulation. Zebras are famed for their black-and-white stripes; tigers display orange bodies with dark stripes; striped bass and several snake species also exhibit lined patterns. Variegated or striped markings can appear in plants as leaf or petal patterns, often arising from genetics or environmental factors.

In textiles and fashion, stripes are a common motif. Striped fabrics range from bold, wide bands to narrow pinstripes, and iconic patterns such as the Breton stripe have enduring popularity in clothing. The orientation and width of stripes can influence visual perception, affecting the apparent size or shape of garments and the wearer.

Other uses of striped patterns appear in graphic design, branding, and heraldry, where stripes may convey speed, movement, formality, or rhythm. The term “striped” does not designate a single pattern; instead, it describes a broad class of designs characterized by parallel bands of color or shading, with appearance determined by stripe width, color contrast, and orientation.