A-C | D-P | Q-Y
A-LINE DRESS – form-fitting garment flaring from the waist to a full skirt.
APPLIQUÉ – (French for 'applied') The technique of sewing one piece of fabric onto another.
BALLERINA NECKLINE – a low neckline that is often paired with strapless or spaghetti-strapped dresses.
BASQUE WAIST/V-WAIST – a dropped waist that starts at, or just below, the natural waistline, and dips in the centre creating a "v" shape.
BATEAU NECK/BOAT NECK – a high, wide, straight neckline that runs straight across the front and back, meeting at the shoulders; it has the same depth in the front and back.
BELL SLEEVE – long sleeve that flares at the bottom like a bell.
BODICE – the torso area of a woman's dress.
BODY BRIEFER – a girdle/bra that extends from shoulder straps to the thighs.
BOHEMIAN – a trend that connotes a free-spirited attitude toward fashion; with feminine details, including flounces, ties, ribbons, ruffles and embroidery. Also called poetic trend, romance trend and folklore style.
BONING – used to give a garment support and body contouring. Once actually constructed of whale bone, today's boning is usually made of plastic strips slipped into sheaths sewn into the garment.
BOOT-CUT – refers to trousers or jeans that flare slightly from the knees to the ankles to accommodate any type of footwear.
BOUCLE – an uneven yarn made with threads of varying looseness for a luxurious, nubby texture.
BOX-PLEATED – two folds of fabric brought together to form a pleat.
BOY-LEG – shorts, undergarments, or swimwear that have a close fitting leg that reaches to the top of the thigh.
BROOMSTICK DRESS – a dress (or skirt) characterized by numerous pleats and crinkled material.
BURNOUT – fabric with an alternating solid and sheer design, often in a floral or animal print.
BUSTIER – a sleeveless, strapless top or dress held in place by boning, elastic or stretch fabrics. It is designed to help shape and enhance the bust line.
CAMISOLE/CAMI – a fitted top with spaghetti straps that can be worn alone or as a layering piece.
CAP SLEEVE – a small, short sleeve that sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm to provide minimal coverage.
CAPRI PANTS – three-quarter length pants designed to hit mid-calf – first popularized on the Isle of Capri.
CARGO STYLE – pants or shorts with patch pocket or bellows pocket with a flap (usually a button flap).
CARPENTER PANTS/SHORTS – five-pocket pants characterized by a hammer loop – a stretch of material connecting the outside seam to the back pocket.
CHARMEUSE – a manmade, shiny, silk-like fabric.
CHECK – a variety of patterns, including gingham, tattersall, houndstooth, plaid and checkerboard.
CHEMISE – usually a short nightgown hemmed below the hip but above the knee. Held up by thin spaghetti straps, the gown should fit snugly at the bust and upper torso and fall loosely and flow flatterringly past the hips.
CHIFFON – a lightweight, plain-weave, sheer fabric made with very fine, tightly twisted yarns. It is very strong, despite its filmy look.
COLUMN SKIRT/STRAIGHT SKIRT – also referred to as a pencil skirt, this skirt is a straight line with no flare or fullness at the hem or waistline.
COWL NECK – a neckline featuring a piece of material attached to a garment at the neck, which may be used as a hood or draped loosely in a swag from shoulder to shoulder at the front neckline or back.
CREPE – a fabric characterized by a crinkled, puckered surface or soft mossy finish. Comes in different weights and degrees of sheerness.
CREW NECK – a round neck with ribbed banding that fits close to the base of the neck.
CRINKLE COTTON – cotton that is treated to give it a rich, pliss texture in the warp that requires no ironing.
CROCHET – a technique for making a garment or shoe with lacelike effect, involving a hook and yarn.
CROPPED PANTS – pants cut to a length just above the ankles.
CROPPED TOP/JACKET – hem is cut just above the waist.
CUTWORK – designs cut out of a fabric and embroidered with purl stitch.
DOLMAN SLEEVE – cut as an extension of the bodice, the dolman sleeve is designed without a socket for the shoulder, creating a deep, wide armhole that reaches from the waist to a narrowed wrist. Also called a batwing sleeve.
DOUBLE-BREASTED – a style of closure in which one edge of a garment overlaps another with a double row of buttons or other fasteners.
DUPIONI – (also douppioni or doppione) - fabric made from silk-like yarn, or silk yarn reeled from double cocoons. The yarn has uneven slubs, rather than smooth, giving a decorative texture to the fabric.
DRAPE – the hang or fall of fabric when made into a garment.
DUSTER – a long, open sweater coat or cardigan, with or without a button closure.
EMPIRE – a style that is designed with a high waist to create a flattering sweep.
EPAULETTE – any shoulder ornament, usually a button strap; often seen with braiding or other trim.
EYELET – a fabric punched with decorative holes embroidered with purl stitching.
FINE-GAUGE KNIT – a smooth sweater knit garment that has little or no texture.
FLARE PANTS – pants that flare at the hem. Also called bell-bottoms.
FLAT-FRONT PANTS – straight pants, often seamless and pocketless.
FLEECE – wool or synthetic fabric with an extremely soft napped finish.
FLOOD PANTS – pants cut at, or just above, the ankle.
FLORENTINE NECK – a wide, square-cut neckline extending to the shoulders.
FORM-FITTING/SLIM-FIT – straight from waist to ankle except for a slight curve around the hip.
FRENCH TERRY – a knit fabric, usually cotton, with loop pile on one or both sides.
GABARDINE – a sturdy, durable, lightweight twill fabric of cotton, wool or rayon.
GATHERING – a technique that creates fullness by tightening threads in a row of stitching.
GAUCHO – wide-legged pants or divided skirt reaching mid-calf.
GEORGETTE – characterized by its crispness, body and outstanding durability, georgette is a sheer fabric of silk or synthetic material with a dull, slightly crinkled surface.
GROMMET – an eyelet that is reinforced with metal or plastic; used as a durable closure or decoration.
HALTER TOP – a sleeveless bodice with a high choke or wrap-neck that is usually backless.
HANDKERCHIEF STYLE – the hem of a blouse or skirt that is gently jagged to form flowing points.
HEMSTITCHING – decorative border in which some threads have been removed and some bundled to create an evenly spaced openwork.
HIGH-LOW HEM – a hemline higher in the front or on one side for a dramatic flounce effect.
HIP-HUGGERS – low-slung pants, skirt or belt worn below the natural waist, creating the impression of a longer, leaner torso.
INSEAM – the inside seam of a pant leg.
INVERTED PLEAT – reversed box pleat with folds meeting at the top of the pleat.
JACQUARD – a raised design or pattern woven into a fabric as opposed to being printed on the fabric.
JEWEL NECK – a high round neckline resting simply at the base of the neck.
KABUKI-STYLE – a full-cut, dramatic top with dolman-style sleeves and a collarless square or boat neckline.
KANGAROO POCKET – a pocket formed by sewing a piece of cloth over the garment leaving two open ends.
KIMONO – a long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with a broad sash.
LASER-CUT DESIGN – a modern technique for cutting openwork patterns into fabric or leather using laser-equipped computerized equipment.
LEATHER – the dressed or tanned hide of an animal. Any of various articles or parts made of leather. It is protective, comfortable, and it breathes.
LEG-OF-MUTTON SLEEVE – a loose, full sleeve, rounded from the shoulder to just below the elbow, then shaped to the arm, often ending in a point at the wrist.
LETTUCE EDGE – a thin ruffle at neckline, cuff or hem.
LINEN – fabric that is cooler, stronger and more absorbent than cotton; woven from threads made from the flax plant.
MADRAS – Shirting fabric woven in structured patterns; usually in fine cotton.
MAILLOT – (pronounced "my-yo") a one piece swimsuit with sewn-on straps and scoop, squared or sweetheart neckline; designed to flatter most figure-types.
MANDARIN COLLAR – a short, band collar, adopted from the close-fitting Asian collar.
MATTE JERSEY – fine-knitted fabric with a flat finish.
MERMAID – this skirt hugs the body until it reaches the knees or just below and then ends in a dramatic flare.
MERROW STITCHING – the type and name of machine to stitch overlock edges of emblems.
MICROFIBER – a silky synthetic material, usually woven polyester.
MICROFLEECE – a polyester fleece, very soft and dense, but not bulky or fluffy.
MOISTURE-WICKING – synthetic materials that have been developed specifically to channel perspiration away from the body. Used in active wear and athletic shoe linings.
MOLESKIN – a cotton or synthetic twill fabric that has a warm, brushed hand.
MONGOLIAN WOOL – long, curly woolen fibers used as a fluffy collar or trims on garments.
MONOKINI – originally referred to ladies one piece swimsuit (briefs only) for topless bathers, today used to describe two piece swimsuits connected at the front by chain, string or fabric.
NATURAL WAIST – a seam or waistband that secures or falls at the natural curve of the body, which is the indentation between the hips and the rib-cage.
NOTCH NECK – a round neckline having a small triangular cutout in the front center.
NOTCHED COLLAR – a two-piece collar that can be only worn open.
NUBUCK – suede that is sanded down to a skin-like smoothness and softness.
NYLON/LYCRA SPANDEX – with the combined strength of nylon and the supple elasticity of spandex, this fabric is ideal for foundation garments and shape-giving lingerie.
OFF-THE-SHOULDER NECK – a neckline that lies gently hovering across the top of the bustline with the shoulders uncovered.
OMBRE – shadings of a single color from light to dark; or the gradual blending of several colors as in a rainbow.
OPEN STITCH – woven or knit fabrics that are loosely-stitched, achieving a semi-transparency.
ORGANZA – fine, sheer, lightweight, crisp fabric with a stiff feel. It crushes or musses fairly easily, but it is easily pressed. Dressy type of fabric, sometimes has a silvery sheen.
OTTOMAN – plain, heavy woven fabric having flat, crosswise ribs.
OVER-DYED DENIM – interesting color-on-color effect obtained by adding color dye during the washing process; the more dye added, the more intense the color.
PAISLEY – fabric in rich, swirling print either woven in or screened. Based on fine Scottish wool fabrics designed in yarn-dyed colors. small glittering disk, similar to a sequin, sewn together with others on fabric to create a fishscale effect.
PAREO – a versatile rectangle of printed fabric worn as a shawl, swimsuit cover-up, skirt, dress or scarf. Based on garments worn by natives of Pacific Islands.
PEA COAT/PEA JACKET – heavy, warm hip-length woolen jacket with double-breasted front and a wide notched collar; originally worn by sailors in the color known as navy blue.
PEACHSKIN/PEACHED – fabric that is processed to achieve a surface that has the soft sueded feeling of a fresh peach.
PEASANT TOP – romantic style often characterized with a low neckline, ruffles, or free flowing material.
PEDAL PUSHERS – straight cut pants, often cuffed, that fall just below the knee.
PEEK-A-BOO – any part of the garment which has been cut out to reveal skin.
PEPLUM – short flounce attached to a snugly fitting waistline.
PICOT – a row of small loops woven along the edge of fabric in ribbon or lace for a decorative effect.
PIECED – a look created by sewing several pieces of material together to form the garment, much like a quilt.
PIGMENT-DYED – yarns colored with material that is of animal, vegetable or mineral origin before they are spun into fabric.
PINTUCK – narrow, sewn-down pleats, usually on the front of a garment.
PIQUE – (pronounced "pee-kay"). durable, knit or woven fabric with raised lengthwise cords or squares which are part of the weave.
PLACKET – slit at neckline in a dress, blouse or skirt, usually reinforced with a fold of fabric.
PLISSE – fabric with a puckered surface. French word meaning gathering, folding, pleating.
POINTELLE – an open-hole stitch usually in the shape of a V, flower or diamond.
POLO DRESS – a long or knee-length sheath designed as an extension of the classic, cotton knit polo shirt.
POLYESTER – a wrinkle resistant fabric made from synthetic resin.
PONCHO – straight piece of fabric, usually waterproof, with an opening in the center for the head. Originally a Latin American garment in colorful woven fabrics that is used as outerwear.
PONTE KNIT – a tight knit weave that's soft with just enough stretch for comfort.
POPLIN – a finely ribbed fabric, usually made of cotton.
PRINCESS SEAMS – seams that can be found in the front or the back of a garment that create a figure-flattering, form-fitting shape.
PUCKER KNIT – a plisse fabric with a crinkled or puckered effect; usually some spandex is required to create this textured, stretchy surface.
PUFF SLEEVE – a full sleeve of varying lengths, created by generous gathering around the armhole.
PURL STITCH – knitting stitch employed to create a ribbed effect.
RAFFIA – a fine palm leaf used for decorative effects. Can be woven into shoes or hats.
RAGLAN SLEEVE – a sleeve that extends in one piece to the neckline of the garment.
RAYON – silky, lustrous material manmade from natural fibers, with excellent drape and dyeability.
RUCHING – (pronounced "rooshing") shirring or pleating for a textured effect, or an applied border of pleated ribbon for a ruffled effect.
RUFFLE – strip of cloth, lace or ribbon at the edge of a garment that creates a rippled effect.
SADDLE STITCH – small running stitches visible on the outside of shoes and accessories.
SAFARI STYLE – safari Style Garments adapted from bush jackets worn by hunters on African safaris; including such features as bellows pockets, belting and epaulettes.
SATEEN – lustrous cotton or rayon, this fabric has a smooth hand with a soft sheen.
SATIN – a smooth fabric woven with a glossy face and a dull back.
SCALLOPING – edges either cut, knit or crocheted in a tight wave pattern.
SCOOP/ROUND NECK – a low, U-shaped or round neckline.
SEERSUCKER – term derived from the Persian "shirushaker", a kind of cloth, literally "milk and sugar". The woven crinkle is produced by alternating slack and tight yarns in the warp.
SHANTUNG – a heavy fabric with a rough, slubbed surface usually made of silk or some other soft material (often rayon or cotton).
SHAWL COLLAR – a one-piece collar that is turned down to form an elegant, continuous line around the back of the neck to the front of a garment.
SHIFT – a straight lined basic dress of the 1960s, hanging away from the body.
SHIRRED WAIST – a decorative gathering (as of cloth) made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching.
SHIRRING – gathering of material usually used for visual figure enhancement.
SHIRT DRESS – a dress cut similar to a man's shirt with buttons down the front.
SHRUG – a woman's small, waist-length or shorter jacket.
SILK – an extremely soft, natural fabric made from the secretions of silkworms.
SKORT – shorts that have a front covering to resemble a skirt.
SLIP DRESS – bias-cut dress with a fitted top, no waistline and camisole straps.
SMOCK – a dress that has a shoulder yoke with gathering for a full sweep.
SPAGHETTI STRAP – a thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice, named for its likeness to a strand of spaghetti.
SPANDEX – an elastic fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane.
SPLIT NECK – a round neckline that looks like it has been cut in the center to form a small "V".
SQUARE NECK – an open-yoke neckline shaped in the form of a half square.
STRAIGHT LEGS – pant legs that are cut an equal width from the waist to ankles.
STRETCH COTTON – a cotton fabric usually with spandex or Lycra spandex for greater comfort, a better fit and superior wrinkle resistance.
SUEDE – leather that is buffed on the inside to raise a slight nap giving it a textured appearance.
SWEETHEART NECK – a graceful, open yoke, shaped like the top half of a heart.
TANK – a top similar to an undershirt with narrow straps, a U neck and deep armholes.
TANKINI – a two-piece bathing suit with the upper portion resembling a tank top.
TRUMPET SLEEVE – long sleeve that flares at the end like a trumpet.
TUMBLED LEATHER – soft leather with a slightly pebbled grain.
TUNIC – a simple slip-on top that usually falls below the hips or longer.
TURTLENECK – a high, close-fitting, turnover collar used especially for sweaters and knit tops.
TWEED – a coarse wool or synthetic fabric used chiefly for casual suits and coats.
TWILL – a basic weave characterized by diagonal wales on the face.
TWINSET – a cardigan sweater over a matching sleeveless or short-sleeve sweater.
VELCRO – trademark for a closing consisting of a tape woven with minute nylon hooks that mesh with loops on an opposite tape. First used by astronauts.
VELOUR – soft velvety thick pile fabric made of various fibers and yarns. Used primarily for coats, warm-up suits, knit shirts and dresses.
VELVET – fabric made of various fibers in different weights woven with an extra yarn in the warp. This fabric is cut and brushed to form a soft, luxurious pile.
VELVETEEN – cut-pile fabric made with an extra filling yarn, used primarily for dresses, suits and sportswear.
VOILE – a lightweight, open-weave fabric made from wool, silk, cotton, or rayon; soft, used especially for women's summer clothing.
WELT – pocket that has a folded strip of material sewn into the front portion of the pocket. The welt extends upward from the seam.
WING COLLAR – collar with projections that cover shoulder seams of bodices and doublets
YARN-DYED – yarn that has been dyed prior to the weaving or knitting of the garment, yarn-dyed garments hold their colour after repeated cleaning.
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