Q. “Selvedge” or “selvage” — which spelling is correct?
A. Both are valid English spellings of the same word, both meaning the same thing — the self-finished edge of fabric, namely the edge produced by a shuttle loom on denim.
In English, “selvedge” leans British, “selvage” leans American. Both appear in dictionaries.
In Japanese katakana, you see both “セルヴィッジ” and “セルビッチ”:
- “セルヴィッジ”: Common in premium / vintage-faithful brands, maison-side communications, fashion magazines. Closer to the original “selvedge” pronunciation.
- “セルビッチ”: Common in the Japanese textile industry, jeans shops, artisan-leaning media. A more naturalized Japanese sound.
At ALLBLUE, we use “selvedge” in maison-facing English material and “セルヴィッジ” on the Japanese site — though this is convention, not rule. In conversation, the unspoken practice is to match the listener’s spelling.
Conclusion: Both are correct. Use them without fear.
※ Q&A short answer (frequently asked)