Fashion Glossary

A - Z

 

A

  • A-Line: A dress or skirt that is fitted at the hips and gradually widens towards the hem, giving the impression of the shape of a capital letter A.
  • Athleisure: Casual, comfortable clothing designed to be suitable both for exercise and everyday wear.
  • Asymmetric: Refers to designs where two sides of a garment are not identical, creating an uneven or unbalanced look. This can be achieved through various elements such as hemlines, necklines, sleeves, or overall garment structure.

B

  • Babydoll: A short, loose-fitting nightgown or dress with a gathered skirt and a hemline that falls above the knee.
  • Boho: Short for bohemian, a style characterized by free-spirited, eclectic, and often vintage-inspired clothing.
  • Bubble Sleeve: Also known as a puff sleeve or balloon sleeve, this type of sleeve is characterized by its voluminous, puffed-out appearance. Examples: Bubble sleeve blouses, bubble sleeve dresses, bubble sleeve tops.

C

  • Cowl Neck: A neckline that drapes in soft folds.
  • Couture: High-end fashion that is constructed by hand from start to finish, made from high-quality, expensive, often unusual fabric.
  • Capsule Wardrobe: A collection of timeless clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits.

D

  • Drawstring: A cord or string that can be pulled to tighten or close a garment.
  • Distressed: Clothing that has been treated to look worn or aged, often featuring frayed edges, holes, or fading.

    E

    • Empire Line: A high waistline that sits just below the bust.
    • Empire Waist: A dress or top with a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, giving a high-waisted appearance.
    • Espadrilles: Casual, flat, or high-heeled shoes with a canvas or cotton fabric upper and a flexible sole made of esparto rope.
    • Exposed Seam: In fashion it is also known as a raw seam or raw edge. This technique involves leaving the edges of the fabric unfinished, creating a deconstructed and edgy look.

    F

    • Flounce Hem: A strip of fabric gathered or pleated on one edge and attached to a garment.
    • Flannel: A soft, woven fabric, typically made of wool or cotton, known for its warmth and comfort.

    G

    • Gingham: A lightweight cotton fabric, typically checked in white and a bold color.
    • Graphic Apparel: Clothing items that feature printed designs, illustrations, or patterns. These graphics can range from simple logos and text to intricate illustrations and artwork. Examples include graphic t-shirts, hoodies, and sweatshirts that display images, slogans, or artistic designs.

    H

    • Halter-Neck: A style of neckline that is held up by a strap around the neck.
    • Houndstooth: A duotone textile pattern characterized by broken checks or abstract four-pointed shapes.

    I

    • Inseam: The measurement from the crotch to the bottom of the leg on a pair of pants.
    • Inverted Pleat: A pleat formed by bringing two folds of fabric to a center point on the outside of a garment.

    J

    • Jacquard: A fabric with an intricately woven pattern, often floral or geometric.
    • Jumpsuit: A one-piece garment with a top and trousers.

    K

    • Kimono Sleeve: A wide, straight sleeve that is part of the garment’s body.
    • Knitwear: Clothing made from knitted fabric, such as sweaters and cardigans.

    L

    • Lapel: The folded flaps of cloth on the front of a jacket or coat.
    • Linen: A textile made from the fibers of the flax plant, known for its breathability and durability.

    M

    • Maxi Dress/Skirt: A long dress/skirt that reaches down to the ankles.
    • Monochrome: An outfit composed of one color or shades of one color.

    N

    • Neckline: The edge of a garment around the neck.
    • Neoprene: A synthetic rubber used in fashion for its flexibility and durability, often seen in wetsuits and modern clothing designs.
    • Nude: Clothing or accessories in shades that match the wearer’s skin tone.

    O

    • Off-the-Shoulder: A style where the garment is designed to sit below the shoulders.

    P

    • Peplum: A short, flared, gathered, or pleated strip of fabric attached at the waist of a garment.
    • Plaid: A pattern consisting of crossed horizontal and vertical bands in two or more colors.
    • Pointelle: A type of knit fabric characterized by its delicate, openwork patterns, often resembling lace. The fabric typically features tiny holes arranged in geometric shapes, such as chevrons, stripes, or floral designs. Pointelle is known for its lightweight, airy, and delicate nature, making it ideal for creating elegant and breathable garments.

    Q

    • Queen Anne Neckline: A neckline with a high collar at the back and sides, and a sweetheart or V-shaped cut at the front.
    • Quilted: Fabric that is stitched in a pattern to create a padded effect.

    R

    • Ruching: A gathered overlay of fabric strips that are pleated, fluted, or gathered together.
    • Romper: A one-piece garment combining a top and shorts.

    S

    • Sheath Dress: A fitted, straight-cut dress, often nipped at the waist without a waist seam.
    • Sherpa Fabric: In the context of fashion, Sherpa refers to a type of fabric that mimics the look and feel of sheepskin. It is typically made from synthetic fibers like polyester and is known for its soft, fluffy texture.
    • Shirring: A sewing technique that involves stitching multiple rows of gathers using elastic thread to create a stretchy, textured effect on fabric.
    • Sweetheart Neckline: A type of neckline on a dress or top that is high in the back and dips down in the front, forming a shape that resembles the top of a heart. This design is popular for its flattering and romantic look, often used in evening gowns, wedding dresses, and other formal wear.

    T

    • Trench Coat: A long, double-breasted coat with a belt, typically made of waterproof fabric.
    • Tulle: A lightweight, very fine netting, often used for veils, gowns, and ballet tutus.

    U

    • Utility Jacket: A practical, often military-inspired jacket with multiple pockets.
    • U-Neck: A type of neckline that forms the shape of the letter “U.” It is similar to a scoop neckline but typically has a sharper curve as it dips down towards the bust. 

    V

    • Vintage: Clothing and accessories that are at least 20 years old, often sought after for their unique style and quality.
    • V-Neck: A neckline that dips down in the front to form a V shape.
    • Velvet: A soft, luxurious fabric with a dense pile, often used in evening wear and upholstery.

    W

    • Wool: A natural fiber obtained from sheep and other animals, known for its warmth and durability.
    • Wrap Dress: A dress with a front closure formed by wrapping one side across the other and knotting the attached ties.

    X

    • X-Back: A style where the straps cross over at the back.
    • X-line: A silhouette that emphasizes the shoulders and hips, creating an X shape with a narrow waist.

    Y

    • Yarn-Dyed: Fabric that is dyed before it is woven, resulting in a more vibrant and long-lasting color.
    • Yoke: A fitted part of a garment, usually around the neck and shoulders, from which the rest of the garment hangs.

    Z

    • Zigzag Stitch: A sewing technique that creates a zigzag pattern, often used for finishing edges and adding decorative details.
    • Zipper: A fastening device consisting of two strips of fabric with interlocking metal or plastic teeth and a sliding tab.