swag
swag
/swæɡ/
A piece of fabric draped over a rod or hooks in a graceful, sagging curve above a window.
Implies a romantic, traditional, or formal aesthetic where the fabric dips in the center and cascades down the sides.
The story behind the word. The word swag comes from a Scandinavian root (related to Norwegian 'svagga', meaning to sway). It originally referred to a heavy bag or a swinging motion before being used to describe garlands of flowers or fabric draped between two points.
Word relationships
- festoon: Festoon is a highly formal architectural term for carved or draped garlands, while swag is the standard term used in modern interior design.
Commonly confused with
- valance: A valance is a straight, continuous horizontal band of fabric, whereas a swag specifically dips down in a curved, sagging arc.
Word family
- swagged (verb): Draped in a sagging curve.
Collocations
- fabric swag
- draped swag
- swag and tail
Example sentences
- "An elegant silk swag was draped across the top of the window, its ends cascading down like waterfalls." A description of a formal dining room.
Memory hook
A swag is fabric that is allowed to 'sag' in a beautiful way. A beautiful, dipping curve of fabric.
When not to use
Do not use for modern, minimalist, or highly structured window treatments.
Fun facts
- In the 18th century, 'swag' was slang for stolen goods or loot—a term that eventually evolved into the modern slang for free promotional merchandise.
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