midweight woollen fabric which is soft and warm to the touch and has a partially felted surface, giving it a barely noticeable texture of a circassian or other twill weave. Produced from worsted and carded yarns, and often patterned with stripes. Lightweight m. is used for men's suits, more heavyweight varieties for ladies' and men's coats. The name is given by the English town Melton, where this type of fabric was first produced.