Glossary

Fashion glossary

117 definitions · page 2 of 2.

intermission length Hi-Lo
An intermission-length gown features a hem falling between the knees and ankle; the Hi-Lo variation is a gown of intermission length on the front and floor length or longer in the back.
jewel neck
A high round neckline resting simply at the base of the neck.
kangaroo pocket
A pocket formed by sewing a piece of cloth over the garment leaving two open ends.
keyhole neck
A tear shaped or round cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline.
kimono
A long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with a broad sash.
leg-of-mutton sleeve
(Also known as a gigot 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.
maillot
A woman's one-piece bathing suit.
mandarin collar
A short, stand-up collar, adopted from the close-fitting Asian collar.
mermaid
This skirt hugs the body until it reaches the knees or just below and then ends in a dramatic flare.
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 ribcage.
notched collar
A two-piece collar that can be only worn open.
off-the-shoulder neck
A neckline that lies gently hovering across the top of the bustline with the shoulders uncovered or able to be seen through the sheer yoke of net or organza attached to a high collar.
overskirt
A skirt worn over another skirt.
peasant top
Romantic style often characterized with a low neckline, ruffles, or free flowing material.
peek-a-boo
Any part of the garment which has been cut out to reveal skin.
petticoat
An underskirt usually a little shorter than outer clothing and often made with a ruffled, pleated, or lace edge.
pieced
A look created by sewing several pieces of material together to form the garment, much like a quilt.
pinafore
Originally used to protect dresses from dirt, it was adopted as a fashion piece and worn as a sleeveless dress or over a blouse.
placket
The piece of cloth that reinforces a split or opening in a garment; that usually also serves as the closure.
point collar
A collar with ties used to attach women's sleeves to their gowns.
princess seams
Seams that can be found in the front or the back of a garment that create a form-fitting shape.
puckered bodice
Usually associated with tube tops, it provides a scrunchy look.
puff sleeve pouf sleeve
A full sleeve of varying lengths, created by generous gathering around the armhole.
push-up jeans
Spandex in the jeans helps to lift and shape your rear.
romper
A one-piece garment with the lower part shaped like bloomers
sarong skirt
Long cloth which is wrapped around the entire body.
scoop neck round neck
A low, U-shaped or round neckline.
shawl collar
A one-piece collar which is turned down to form a continuous line around the back of the neck to the front.
sheaths
Usually have straight or close fitting skirts, accompanied by a form fitting bodice. The skirt is often ankle length and sometimes has a slit in either the front, side, or back to make walking easier.
shelf bra
A bra that is built right into the garment.
shirred waist
A decorative gathering (as of cloth) made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching.
shrug
A woman's small, waist-length or shorter jacket.
skant
Pants that have a sweater-like attachment around the waist.
skort
Shorts that have a front covering to resemble a skirt.
spaghetti strap
A thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice, named for its likeness to a strand of spaghetti.
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 are cut an equal width from waist to ankle.
sweep train
The shortest train, barely sweeping the floor.
sweetheart neck
A graceful, open yoke, shaped like the top half of a heart.
tank top
A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes.
tankini
A two piece bathing suit with the upper portion resembling a tank top.
tapered legs
Pant legs become progressively narrower toward the ankle.
tea length
A gown hemmed to end at the shin.
tear-away shorts
Features versatile side snaps that allow you to remove a top layer fast.
tie-cinched waist
The waist is pulled tight around the body with a tie.
trapeze top
Tank top style with flared bottom.
tulle skirt bouffant gown
A sheer, puffed-out skirt often made of stiffened silk, rayon, or nylon net.
tunic style
A simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves and usually knee-length or longer, belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment.
turtle neck
A high, close-fitting, turnover collar used especially for sweaters.
unitards
A close-fitting, one-piece garment for the torso, legs, and feet, and often for the arms.
V-neck V-back
An open yoke coming to a "V" shape midway down the bodice.
variegated
Having streaks, marks, or patches of different colors; distinguished or characterized by a variety of different colors.
wedding-band collar
A collar featuring a yoke that is either open or of sheer net with an ornate band fitting snugly on the neck, creating a choker effect.
wide legs
Pants or jeans that are cut extra full through the legs.
wing collar
A collar with projections which cover shoulder seams of bodices and doublets.
wrap top surplice top
A bodice created by the cross-wrapping of fabric; may be in front or back, and associated with a high or low neckline.