Fashion Glossary

Body Types:
Camisole: A short, sleeveless undergarment worn by women underneath a blouse; or a similar
garment worn instead of a blouse. A short negligee.
Corset Top: 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.

Georgette - A crinkled, sheer fabric that has a lightweight, flowing look.

Peasant Top: Romantic style often characterized with a low neckline, ruffles, or free flowing material.
Trapeze Top: Tank top style with flared bottom. dress or blouse has a round neckline and a fabric that
falls in an A-line shape to a wide flare. Trapeze dresses are usually short and hit about mid-thigh.

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.

Dresses/Skirts:
A-line: Style line for apparel in which the dress fits at the shoulder or the skirt at the waist and
gradually flares out to a wider hemline, causing it to resemble the letter A

Barrel-line cut: Like its namesake, a barrel-line cut gives an elongated, rounded shape to dresses or
skirts.

Broomstick - A skirt or a dress that is distinguished by numerous pleats and material that is pleated.
Circle skirt - A skirt that is designed by cutting a circle out a piece of fabric, creating volume.
Column Skirt: Also referred to as a pencil skirt, this skirt is a straight line with no flare or fullness at
the hem or waistline.

Handkerchief Hem: A bottom hem on a dress or a skirt that has draped points resembling a
handkerchief.

High-Low Hem: A bottom hem on a garment that is cut short in the from and longer in the back.
Maxi - A skirt or dress with a long full length, usually to the ankles.
Mini skirt - A skirt with a hemline well above the knees.

Mini dress - A dress with a hemline well above the knees.

Shift Dress: A loose-fitting dress with no waistline seam or darts, also known as a chemise.

Skort - Shorts that have a front covering to resemble a skirt.

Pencil skirt: A pencil skirt is knee-length and fitted from the waist to the hemline. Pencil skirts usually
have a slit in the back or front to allow movement.

Pleats: Pleats are decorative folds in fabric, often used to add fullness to skirts.
Shift dress: A shift dress has a loose fit and lacks a defined waistline. It is usually a short dress.
Slip dress: Resembling the undergarment, a slip dress fits close to the body, is usually made of smooth
fabrics and has lace trim.

Tea Length: Skirt or dress hemmed to end at the shin.

Trumpet skirt: A trumpet skirt has a slim fit through the hips and flares at the hem.
Tulip skirt: Like an inverted tulip, a tulip skirt has more fabric around the waistline and a close-fitting
hemline.

Wrap dress: A wrap dress fits by wrapping around the body and crossing in front to close. The wrap
dress is often secured with ties and features a deep V-neck.

Jackets/Outerwear:
Blazer: A long-sleeved sports jacket with lapels.
Bolero Jacket: A loose, waist-length jacket open at the front. A short jacket that is open in front and
ends above the waist.

Bomber jacket - A loose waist length jacket with fitted waist and cuffs.

Car coat - An overcoat with a length extending to the middle of the thighs and a flat front placket.

Cardigan Jacket: A usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front.
Cropped Jacket: Hem is cut just above the waist.
Duster: Long, open, and lightweight jacket, with or without a button closure.
Peacoat - A heavy coat which features a double breasted style and notched collar which is generally a
wool blend.

Shrug: A woman's small, waist-length or shorter jacket.

Neckline:
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.

Band Collar: A narrow band that stands up around the neckline. This collar may have an opening or
a button closure.

Bateau Neckline: it's used to describe a wide slit neckline from shoulder to shoulder that follows the
curve of the collarbone. Also called a "boat neck."

Bias Cut Neckline: (Of a garment or fabric) cut obliquely or diagonally across the grain.
Button-Down Collar: A collar with points that are fastened to the shirt by buttons.
Collar: A strip of material stitched to the opening of a shoe or the topline.
Collar with Revers: is a collar that turns back from the neckline and resembles a lapel.
Convertible Collar - A rolled collar that can be worn open or closed. Sewn directly to the neckline.

Cowl Neck: Soft, bias-cut neckline, draped in the front or back. Similar to a loosely draped turtleneck.
Is a loosely draped circular neckline that resembles a draped hood.

Crew Neck: Round, banded neckline that fits close to the base of the neck. Commonly seen on
sweaters and T-shirts.

Dcollet Neckline: is a plunging lowcut neckline.

Diamond Neck: A diamond-shaped cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline.
Drawstring Neckline: is a neckline that is accented with drawstrings.
Envelope Neckline: is a straight or slightly curved neckline that has fabric crossing from the back and
over the shoulder making the neckline look like an envelope.

Frill Collar: is a neckline that is edged with ruffles.

Funnel Neckline: is a neckline that surrounds the neck and extends to the top of the neckline.
Halter Neck: is a garment that wraps around the neck, leaving the shoulders and back bare.
Henley Neckline: A scoop neckline with a button-front placket.
Horseshoe Neckline: is a neckline that is cut in the shape of a horseshoe. Referred to as a "U-Neck."
Jabot: is a neckline that features a cascading ruffle in the front.
Johnny collar - An open split neckline with a pointed collar.
Keyhole: A decorative cut hole on a garment usually placed close to the neckline.
Mandarian Collar: A slender banded collar that has round edges at the front.
Mock Turtleneck: is a high funnel style collar that is lower than the turtleneck and does not turn
down.

Notched Lapel: A lapel that has a cut "V" in the lapel creating a notch.
Peter Pan Collar: A woman's or children's collar that has rounded ends at the front.
Polo Collar: A ribbed collar commonly seen on a polo shirt that has a partial placket.
Round Bertha Collar: is a bib style collar made of a large round cut piece of fabric that is overlayed
and draped around the neckline creating a half-moon shape.

Scoop Neck: is a lower curved neckline.

Shawl Collar: is a turnback collar that follows the opening of the garment.
Slash Neckline: is a straight-cut neckline that is cut from shoulder to shoulder.
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.
Square Bertha Collar: is a bib-style collar made of a square or rectangular cut piece of fabric that is
overlayed and draped around the neckline.

Surplice: A surplice neckline has two pieces of fabric that cross over each other diagonally, creating a
V-neck. (Surplice is also the name of the long, white garment worn by priests in some religions, but the
similarities end at the name.)

Sweetheart Neckline: is a neckline that creates a rounded "V" at the bust. The front silhouette
resembles a heart shape.

Tank Top: A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes.

Tie Neckline: A neckline that has an attached tie at the front.
Turtleneck: is a high turned-down funnel collar that comes up to the top of the neckline. Turtlenecks
are commonly seen on knitwear.

U-Neck: is a neckline that is shaped like an "U". Also referred to as a "horseshoe neckline."
V-Neck: is a neckline that is cut in the shape of a "V".
Wing Tip Collar: A formal collar that stands up a the neck and features small folded-down points.
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.

Pants:
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.
Capri Pants: Fairly straight-cut pants, tapered to the mid-calf.
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.

Cigarette Pant: A very skinny, slim-cut style of pants that is form fitting and usually cropped at the
ankle.

Flat-Front Pants: Straight pants, often seamless and pocketless.

Flap Pocket: A pocket with an outer flap overlay.
Gaucho: Wide-legged pants or divided skirt reaching mid-calf and worn with boots.
Hip Huggers: Low-cut bottoms worn below natural waistline.
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.
Push-Up Jeans: Spandex in the jeans helps to lift and shape your rear.
Rise: The rise is the measurement from the crotch to the waistband of a pair of women's pants.
Romper: A one-piece garment with the lower part shaped like bloomers.
Slim Fit: Type of fit characterized by fabric that is cut closer to the body, creating a snugger fit.
Usually used to describe pants and shirts.

Straight Legs: Pant legs are cut an equal width from waist to ankle.
Tapered Legs: Pant legs become progressively narrower toward the ankle.
Tea Length: A gown hemmed to end at the shin.
Wide Legs: Pants or jeans that are cut extra full through the legs.

Shorts:
Bermuda Shorts: Close-fitting shorts for men, women, or kids that land at or slightly above the knee.
Cargo Short: Loose fitting shorts typically made from cotton. Always features large pockets along the
sides of the leg.

Inseam: The hidden seam of a welted shoe holding together the welt, upper, lining, and insole. Also,
in clothing it is the seam that binds the length of the inner pant leg.

Carpenter Pants/Shorts: Five-pocket pants characterized by a "hammer holder," a stretch of material

connecting the outside seam to the back pocket.

Sleeves:
Angel sleeves - Sleeves that are cut with lots of extra material instead of being fitted to the arm,
giving the appearance of wings. Length of the sleeves can vary greatly.

Banded sleeve: A banded sleeve has a finished edge that makes the edge of the sleeve fit a bit closer.
Batwing Sleeve: is a sleeve with a large armhole and extends from the bodice to a narrow cuff. Also
called a "dolman sleeve."

Bell Sleeve: is a sleeve that flares out at the bottom and resembles a bell shape.
Bishop Sleeve: is a set-in sleeve with gradual width added throughout the length. The fullness at the
end of the sleeve is set into a cuff.

Cap Sleeve: A short sleeve just covering the shoulder but not the underarm.
Dolman Sleeve: is a sleeve with a large armhole and extends from the bodice to a narrow cuff. Also
called a "batwing sleeve."

Flutter sleeve: A flutter sleeve is a short sleeve that falls loosely over the upper arm.
Frill Sleeve: is a ruffled short sleeve.
Juliet sleeve: Inspired by Renaissance styles, a Juliet sleeve is fitted over the forearm and puffed at
the top.

Kimono Sleeve: is a wide sleeve cut in one piece from the front and back of the garment. It is seamed
down the outer and underarm like a traditional Japanese kimono.

Leg Of Mutton Sleeve: is a sleeve that is puffed or full at the top and gradually tapers towards the
cuff.

Pagoda Sleeve: A sleeve that is shaped much like an Asian building called a pagoda. The sleeve is
narrow at the top where it fits the upper arm closely, then gradually flares out to become wide at the
bottom.

Puff Sleeve: is a short sleeve that looks rounded and puffed because it is gathered at the scye and the

cuff.

Raglan: A style of sleeve that has a diagonal seam on front and back, extending from the neckline to
the underarm.

Round Cuff: A cuff on a dress shirt with a round outer top edge.
Sleeveless: is a term used for a garment with no sleeves.
Slit Sleeve: is a sleeve with a decorative slit.
Spaghetti straps - A very thin shoulder strap on a womans garment.
Tank top - A short, sleeveless top
Trumpet sleeve - A top with a sleeve falling straight to the elbow, where it flares in the shape of a
trumpet.

Turnedback Cuff: A cuff on a dress shirt that folds back towards the sleeve.

Other:
A-line: Style line for apparel in which the dress fits at the shoulder or the skirt at the waist and
gradually flares out to a wider hemline, causing it to resemble the letter A

Asymmetrical Hem: is a bottom hem that is longer on one side and shorter on the other.
Bandeau: features a snug band of fabric around the chest. A bandeau top can have various straps: It
can be strapless, have one diagonal strap, a halter-style strap or spaghetti straps.

Basque: a tight-fitting bodice for women. The extension below the waistline of a fitted bodice or
jacket

Basque Waist/V-Waist: This dropped waist starts at or just below the natural waistline, and dips in
the center creating a "V" shape.

Bias Cut: (Of a garment or fabric) cut obliquely or diagonally across the grain.
Brocade: From the Italian word for "embossed cloth," brocade is a fabric with designs woven into it.
Bubble Hem: A skirt that bubbles out and tapers in closely at the hem, resembling a bubble.

Cinched waist - A feature in a garment that tapers narrowly at the mid-section, accentuating the
curves of the body.

Draped Bodice - An extra piece of material is draped over the bustline.

Dropped 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: A type of dress or top where the waist line is raised above the natural waistline,
sometimes as high as right below the bust.

Eyelet: A hole through which a lace is threaded; may be reinforced with a metal ring or grommet.
Fishtail Hem: An asymmetrical hem that looks reminicent of a fish's tail. There are a few variations,
but usually the skirt tapers past the knee and then flares out at the bottom leaving more material at the
back.

Flounce: A flounce is a wide ruffle.

Gathers: A means of distributing fullness in some part of a garment by sewing a loose row of stitches,
pulling the thread, and sliding the fabric along the thread to make soft folds in order to decrease the
width of the fabric

High-Low Hem: A bottom hem on a garment that is cut short in the from and longer in the back.
Hook and eye closure - Fastening system on garments with a small hook that is inserted into an eye
loop.

Kangaroo Pocket: An A-shaped pocket stitched to the lower-front of a garment (commonly seen on
hoodies) with two holes for hands.

Keyhole: Found on dresses, shirts and women's swimwear, a keyhole is a teardrop-shaped cutout.
Natural waist - A seam or waistband that secures or falls at the natural curve of the body. The
indentation between the hips and the ribcage.

Paperbag Waistline: is an extended waistline that stands up or folds down and is scrunched around
the waist resembling a paper bag.

Peplum: is a draped extension from the waistline and drapes around the hips. It is commonly seen as
an extension from the waist of the bodice or as an extension from the waistband of a skirt.

Pieced: A look created by sewing several pieces of material together to form the garment, much like a
quilt.

Princess Line: A garment style in which the sections of the garment are cut in one from shoulder to
hem, with no waistline seam.

Princess seams: Seams that can be found in the front or the back of a garment that create a formfitting shape.

Popcorn stitch - A stitch formed by making one stitch into for, forming a nicely rounded compact oval
that stands out from the fabric. Popcorn stitches add texture to garments.

Puckered Bodice: Usually associated with tube tops, it provides a scrunchy look.
Racerback - A top where the back is cut away in a T-shape to reveal the shoulder blades.
Ribbing - A knitting method where small rows are finely knitted together to form a texture.
Ruching: Current fashion descriptions use the term ruching to refer to clothing with large areas of
fullness gathered in to form a rippled effect.

Sharkbite - A type of hem that has an uneven cut with two points in the front and two points in the
back. The jagged look has the appearance of a shark bite.

Shirred Waist - A decorative gathering (as of cloth) made by drawing up the material along two or
more parallel lines of stitching.

Smocked: Smocking is a technique where fabric has been gathered over an area to make it stretchy.
Smocked clothing items (usually dresses or blouses) use smocking as a decorative detail.

Step Hem: is a bottom hem commonly used on a men's polo shirt where the front hem is short and the
back hem is slightly longer, resembling steps.

Tie-Cinched Waist - The waist is pulled tight around the body with a tie.
Tiered Bottom Hem: Contrasting cut lengths of fabric creating a layered tiered look at the bottom
hem