fashion glossary, fashion a to z  fashion glossary, fashion a to z

klever kloggs A to Z fashion glossary

a comprehensive a to z of phrases commonly used in the fashion industry

| a to e | f to o | p to s | t to z |

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.

besom pocket - a pocket trimmed with welting or reinforced stitching without a flap. 

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 are cut below the belly button and 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. 

camp pockets - pockets that are sewn to the outside of the garment, usually squared off and characterized by seaming.

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.

diamond neck - a diamond-shaped cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline. 

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 summer coat, with or without a button closure. 

empire - a style that is designed with a high waist to create a flattering sweep.

envelope hem - a hemline open at the bottom with angular, overlapping flounces. Also applies to a shoe’s top-line detail, ie: envelope vamp.

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.