outer fabric; shell fabric; garment minus lining
Refers to the outer material of a lined garment, as opposed to the lining (裏地). Used in sewing, tailoring, and clothing descriptions.
See also: 裏地
The outer fabric of this coat is wool, and the lining is polyester.
Changing the colors of the outer fabric and lining gives a stylish finish.
Compound of 表 (おもて, 'front, outer side') and 地 (じ, 'fabric, material'). The reading じ for 地 is a common suffix in fabric-related terms.