Glossary
Fashion glossary
117 definitions · page 1 of 2.
- A-line gown
- Form fitting bodices that flare out from the waistline to a full skirt. These gowns have a seamless waist.
- A-line skirt fit and flare skirt
- A skirt that is fitted at the waist and flares out in an A-line or tulip shape at the hem.
- back drape
- A length of material attached either at the shoulder or the waist that flows over the back to floor length. In some cases it is removable.
- back yoke
- A fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments.
- ball gown
- Characterized by a very full skirt that begins at the waist and continues to a formal length. The skirt waist is seamed and can be of various styles.
- ballerina neckline
- This is a low neckline that usually occurs with strapless or spaghetti strapped dresses.
- bandeau tube top
- A band-shaped covering for the breasts.
- Basque waist V-waist
- This dropped waist starts at or just below the natural waistline, and dips in the center 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; the same depth in the front and back.
- besom pockets
- A pocket sewn inside the garment with access through a welted slit-type opening.
- bias cut
- Cut diagonally across the grain of a fabric. Used to create garments that follow the body curves closely.
- bike tards
- A close-fitting, one-piece garment from the top of the torso to the hem of the shorts.
- blazer
- A long-sleeved sports jacket with lapels.
- bolero jacket
- A loose, waist-length jacket open at the front.
- boot-cut
- Cut below the belly button and slightly flares from the knee to the ankle.
- box-pleated
- Two folds of fabric brought together to form a pleat.
- boy-leg
- Shorts, undergarments, or swimwear that has a close fitting leg that reaches half way down the thigh.
- broomstick
- A skirt or dress that is characterized by numerous pleats and crinkled material.
- camisole
- A short, sleeveless garment for women.
- 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 which sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm to provide minimal coverage.
- capri pants
- Fairly straight-cut pants, tapered to the mid-calf.
- cardigan jacket
- A usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front.
- cargo
- Characterized by sporting a large pocket usually with a flap and a pleat.
- carpenter pants shorts
- Five-pocket pants characterized by a "hammer holder," a stretch of material connecting the outside seam to the back pocket.
- cathedral train
- (Also known as a monarch train); a cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown, for the most formal weddings.
- chapel train
- The most popular of all train lengths, it flows from three to four feet behind the gown.
- chemise skimmer
- Simply a straight unbelted dress with varying sleeves and length.
- 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.
- concealed snap velcro button placket
- A slit in a garment where closures are hidden.
- convertible collar
- A rolled collar that can be worn open or closed. Sewn directly to the neckline.
- corset top boned bodice
- A form-fitting, usually strapless bodice with boning and either laces or snap closures, styled in the fashion of the ladies undergarment of the same name.
- 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.
- crew neck
- A round neck with ribbed banding that fits close to the base of the neck.
- crinoline
- Petticoats stiffened with horse-hair to enable the bell-like skirts of the early nineteenth century, that was eventually replaced with the bustle.
- cropped top jacket
- Hem is cut just above the waist.
- 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
- Having one-half of the front lapped over the other, and usually has a double row of buttons and a single row of buttonholes.
- double-tee top
- A layered look with one T-shirt over another.
- draped bodice
- An extra piece of material is draped over the bustline.
- dropped shoulders
- Characterized by the shoulder/sleeve seam falling off the shoulder.
- dropped waist low waist
- A waistline that is sewn below the body's natural waistline.
- empire bodice
- A bodice that ends just below the bust, sometimes low-cut and gathered.
- empire seams
- A seam that is sewn directly below the bustline.
- empire waist
- This waistline begins just below the bust.
- fishtail train
- Fitted around the hips and flares out from the knee to the hemline.
- fitted point sleeve
- A long, narrow sleeve that tapers to a point which rests against the back of the hand.
- flat-front pants
- Straight pants, often seamless and pocketless.
- form-fitting slim-fit
- Straight from waist to ankle except for a slight curve around the hip.
- frog closure
- Chinese closing of decorative cording or braid. A soft ball of cording or a button is used to complete the closure.
- gaucho
- Wide-legged pants or divided skirt reaching mid-calf and worn with boots.
- gauntlets
- Dress gloves extending above the wrist.
- halter top
- A sleeveless bodice with a high choke or wrap neck that may be backless.
- hankerchief style
- The hem of a blouse or skirt that is gently jagged to form flowing points.
- hip pockets
- Pockets which are sewn on the front of the garment at hip height.
- Hollywood waistband
- Characterized by a full elasticized back and a side zipper/button closure.
- hook & eye closure
- A 2-part fastening device (as on a garment or a door) consisting of a metal hook that catches over a bar or into a loop.
- illusion bodice
- A bodice made of sheer material giving the illusion of no bodice.
- illusion sleeve
- A sleeve made of sheer material giving the illusion of no sleeve.