He was also a skilled artisan, a weaver of expensive fabric.

His clothing was the usual mix of expensive fabrics and fine tailoring.

All were dressed in the short robes of expensive fabric and cut they used when off duty.

Such arrangements encourage designers to think twice about whether to use expensive fabrics.

"I had to earn the right to use the expensive fabrics I do today," he said.

Small white teeth tugged at her lower lip as she worked the needle through the expensive fabric.

"Yet at the same time, they don't want to see their donated dollars draped in expensive fabric."

Also, the women's industry, more than the men's, has been able to lower prices by using less expensive fabrics and simpler designs, experts said.

Holiday dresses are made of expensive fabrics such as silk and velvet.

It was soft and deep, covered with an expensive fabric.