Herringbone twill fabrics are woven by switching twill directions in order to create a pronounced V shaped pattern in the fabric similar to the rib bones of a herring. Herrings are a medium sized sea fish with medium sized bones. Minnows (or pinkeens in Ireland) on the other hand, are very small freshwater fish with very small bones. Specially woven Minnowbone fabric is a lightweight broken twill fabric made from fine ecru cotton with the smallest possible herringbone structure. It drapes particularly nicely and has a softer, more relaxed structure than a longer twill.