paillette

noun pail·lette \ pī-ˈyet , pā-ˈyet , pə-ˈlet \

|Updated on: 3 May 2018

Definition of paillette

1 : a small shiny object (such as a spangle) applied in clusters as a decorative trimming (as on women's clothing)

2 : a trimming made of paillettes

Recent Examples of paillette from the Web

The front boasted a panel that was covered in metallic paillettes, while the side panels seemed to be made of a golden woven fabric.

— avery matera, Teen Vogue, "Gigi Hadid Wore a Gold Versace Dress on Her 23rd Birthday," 24 Apr. 2018
Switching into a rainbow paillette–covered dress from Attico post-show, Perry continued her pattern of upbeat fashions.

— janelle okwodu, Vogue, "Katy Perry Got Her Groove Back—Just in Time For American Idol," 4 Oct. 2017
Some of the dresses were covered with metallic paillettes for a looks that are nighttime chic, yet clearly meant to be worn in the day.

— elizabeth wellington, Philly.com, "According to Tory Burch, next spring's garden party attire is all about the flowy, the florals and the flats," 8 Sep. 2017
A pointillist landscape on an egg-shape cape turned out to be made from thousands of tiny fur paillettes.

— vanessa friedman, New York Times, "At Couture Fashion Week, An Antidote to the Instagram Age," 8 July 2017
Elle Fanning Has Taken Branding to the Next Level Onetime Miu Miu campaign star Elle Fanning arrived at the label's show today in a Fall 2017 pink paillette dress with a temporary tattoo on the back of her neck reading—

— steff yotka, Vogue, "Vroom Vroom! Miu Miu's Automotive Mavens Take Resort 2018," 2 July 2017
The centerpiece of the ceremony was Swarvoski's dress — a princess A-line style with laser-cut flowers, paillettes, and 500,000 Swarovski crystals, according to People.

— braelyn wood, Cosmopolitan, "This Swarovski Heiress's Wedding Is Basically a Real-Life Fairytale," 21 June 2017
Our advice: Experiment with pearls arranged in a graphic wing (seen above), fresh buds in a haphazard design, or even just holographic paillettes strewn everywhere.

— chelsea peng, Marie Claire, "Weirdly Pretty Trend Alert: Sticking Things All Over Your Face," 22 Mar. 2017
And there were intarsia farm scenes in furs, coats dripping fringe made of mother-of-pearl buttons instead of paillettes, and a wedding nondress finale featuring a bride in a short black puffer coat with a long black puffer train.

— vanessa friedman, New York Times, "Thom Browne Triumphs; Kanye Repents," 16 Feb. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'paillette.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.