today, the most common use of foulard is in mens silk ties.

most mens ties are still made with a soft, light weight silk twill (cut on the bias) with all over printed designs and stripes. fabric like this is still sometimes used for woman's blouses, and scarves, and for decorative linings of vests and jackets (especially on better made clothing)

foulard is at once soft (from the silk fibers) and somewhat crisp (the twill weave) so it drapes nicely, and holds its shape--(in a tie, it will knot snugly(the effect of the crisp twill weave) but still be soft, and hang smoothly, (silk effect).