Fashion Vocabulary
The difference between fashion and style
Fashion is a trend that changes quickly. Something that is in fashion today will be out of fashion in a few weeks. But style is something that is personal to you – and it doesn’t change quickly.
Here are some useful ways to talk about fashion:
fashionable = someone who wears the newest clothes
“That style of jeans isn’t very fashionable.” (Opposite – unfashionable / out of fashion)
in = if something is “in”, it’s fashionable
“Are skinny jeans still in?”
a la mode = a French phrase to mean fashionable
“Vintage fashion is very a la mode at the moment.”
trendy (noun = trend) = fashionable
“All her daughters are very trendy.”
the latest (from the catwalk / runway) = the most recent fashion (from the fashion shows, and modelled on the catwalk / runway)
“I like keeping up with the lastest fashions.”
all the rage = currently very fashionable
“It’s all the rage to wear your trousers very low on your waist.”
fashion victim = someone who follows fashion but doesn’t think about if it looks good on them
“Why did she get those boots? They’re horrible! I think she’s a bit of a fashion victim.”
Synonyms for style
Here are some ways you can talk about a person’s style:
stylish = with style
“He wore a very stylish waistcoat.”
chic = elegant
“Parisian women always look so chic.”
You can describe men as “debonair” or “dapper“.
“I saw a very debonair man in the street.”
“Who’s that dapper gentleman over there?” (“Dapper” tends to be used for older men.)
classy = showing sophisticated taste (not just for clothes)
“She always wears classy jewellery – nothing you can find in the usual high street jewellers.”
snazzy = stylish
“I like your new shoes. Very snazzy!”
a snappy dresser = a person who dresses with great attention to detail and who looks good
“Colin is a very snappy dresser. He always looks very well presented.”
have a sense of style = know what makes you look good and stylish
“Carla has such a good sense of style. She always looks fabulous.”
a style icon = someone who is well known for their sense of style (and who people want to copy)
“Audrey Hepburn is a style icon for millions of women.”
to scrub up well = to look good when you make an effort with smart clothes
“I think we’ve scrubbed up pretty well for the wedding!”
Types of style
formal / informal
“He always wears formal clothes to work. He’s always in a suit.”
smart casual = the clothes you can wear which are half way between formal and casual
“The invitation says ‘smart casual’ so you don’t need to wear a suit.”
leisure wear = clothes like tracksuits that you wear to be comfortable at home
“We’re always in our ‘leisure wear’ on Sundays.”
vintage = clothes from more than 30 years ago
“If you keep that leather jacket for another few years, it will be vintage!”
(An alternative to vintage is “retro“.)
Expressions with “rag”
“Rag” is a slang term for “clothing” and there are a few English expressions where we use “rag”. For example:
the rag trade = the clothing industry
“Her grandparents worked in the rag trade in East London.”
from rags to riches = a type of story where someone goes from being poor to very rich
“Her new book is a typical rags to riches story.”
glad rags = your best clothes
“Look at this photo of us in our glad rags!”
FASHION VOCABULARY: TALK ABOUT FASHION IN ENGLISH
Fashion Vocabulary
There is so much to gain when we learn the English language online, and perhaps the best thing of all is when we can use that language in the real world. London Fashion week is coming up, starting on September 14th, and that opportunity for designers and manufacturers to show their wares is a brilliant opportunity to make use of our new English skills.
There is an enormous amount of English vocabulary surrounding clothing, and fashion in general, so here we have a run down of some of the terms we may come across at the Fashion week. Of course, these are all words and phrases that will be useful whenever we are seeking to talk about clothing.
We will break these down into categories to make them easier to understand.
Headwear
Hats are distinctly in fashion at the moment, and may well feature strongly in London Fashion week. Here are some of the more popular types: beany (baggy, woollen hat), cap (a casual peaked hat, sometimes called a baseball cap), flat cap (traditionally worn by older people, these are tweed caps, with a firm peak, which are very fashionable), Panama hat (a white or ivory formal hat, usually worn by men, and very stylish with smart casual wear), floppy hat (any hat with a wide, loose brim).
On top of headwear we might come across jewellery. Earrings go, unsurprisingly, in the ears. A necklace, equally predictably, is jewellery that is worn on the neck, usually with a silver or gold chain.
Torso
There are two kinds of t-shirt, which are casual, short sleeved tops. A round neck t shirt has a round neck hole (not really so confusing, this English) and a Polo shirt is slightly more formal, with a collar. A shirt is a long-sleeved garment (although, confusingly, there are short sleeved types), often made of cotton, with buttons up the front. A blouse is a shirt usually worn by women, with a more fitted styles and a smaller collar.
A jumper is the woollen or cotton extra layer that is worn over the shirt, handy for British winters…and Springs, Autumns and, sadly, often summer. It is also known as a jersey or pullover. A jumper with buttons which opens up fully is known as a cardigan, or cardy for short. A sleeveless jumper is called a tank top.
Less formal tops include sweat shirts, a cotton casual pullover, often with a picture or logo on it. A hoodie is like a sweat shirt, but includes a hood. Outer garments for outdoor wear are called coats. But there are many varieties of these: bomber jackets (short coats), golf coats, rain coats, overcoats (heavy, warm and formal coats), Mackintoshes and waterproofs – sometimes called kagoules and carried in case of wet weather – are other common types of coat.
A jacket is a short, fairly smart indoor coat, often worn with a suit or for work or business. It contains a handy amount of pockets for storage.
Jewellery wise, a bracelet is worn on the wrist. More casual, and often supporting a good cause, is a wristband. A bangle is a wide bracelet, often of ethnic styling. Cufflinks are like removable buttons sometimes worn with formal shirts.
Bottom Half
Trousers are worn to cover the entire bottom half of the body. They might be called jeans (usually made from denim), chinos (smart casual cotton trousers), drain pipes (tight fitting trousers with narrow legs sometimes known as skinny jeans.). Shorts are trousers which end at the knee or higher. On the beach, swimming shorts or trunks are usually worn by men, and bathing costumes (all in ones) or bikinis (two piece) are worn more usually by women.
The terms skirts and dresses can cause confusion. A skirt starts at the waist, while a dress is full length. A kilt is a heavy, pleated skirt worn by women and traditionally by Scotsmen, allegedly with nothing underneath, although that is probably not true. A sarong is a loose skirt that is tied at the waist. Usually it is worn by women, but occasionally by men. The footballer David Beckham introduced a trend for men to wear sarongs a few years ago.
Sometimes tights (all in one) or stockings (separate for each leg) can be worn under skirts and dresses.
Footwear
There are many styles of shoe; crocks, sandals, brogues, lace ups, trainers, boots, slippers. Under these people often wear socks – very short socks often worn with trainers and shorts are called trainer socks, slightly bigger are ankle socks. In the old days, shorts were worn mostly by men and boys, along with knee length socks. These are called long socks.
Underwear
Again, there are lots of names for basically the same thing. Pants is a general term for underwear in Britain (the word means trousers in the US, which can lead to some embarrassing moments.) Boxers are long, short like pants and Y fronts have a Y shaped material in the front. Knickers is the name often used for women’s pants. A bra (short for brassiere, but that word is rarely used today) is a chest supporter for women. A jock strap is a pouch worn by men to protect and support their genitalia in some sports.
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Buying Clothes
Mostly, we buy our clothes off the peg, in other words from a rack or shelf in a shop. We either know our size, or try the clothes on. More expensive clothing might be bespoke, made to measure, or tailor made. This often includes expensive suits (two or three-piece formal wear, often worn with a tie; or dinner suit, which is worn with a bow tie), dresses and shirts. For these, measurements will be taken, and the names for these relate to the part of the body being measured. For example, head measurement, waist measurement.
Styles and Materials
The most common materials for clothe making in England are cotton and wool (more for winter wear). Cheaper items sometimes contain nylon, or polyester, which many people do not like to feel against their skin. Silk is a soft, shiny material that is often found in ties and more expensive clothes. Often handkerchiefs (for mopping a brow, or blowing the nose) will be made of silk, more commonly though cotton.
There is much vocabulary describing styles – stripes (thin bands of colour); polka dot (summery spots of colour), elegant is a term for smart, and smart casual usually means jacket and trousers, with open necked shirt for men, the term is looser for women. Formal means a suit for men, a dress, blouse and skirt/trousers or trouser suit for women. Formal can also mean a dress suit (or dinner suit) for men – i.e. a bow tie, and a long dress for women.
Useful Phrases when shopping
Buyers might start a conversation by asking an assistant:
Do you have (hold up an example) in a size (give your size)?
They might ask for a shop’s clothing range, usually described by the seasons, for example, ‘Autumn Range’ or ‘Spring Range’.
Another common question helps us to find the clothing we want. ‘Could you point me to… (the hats, the women’s wear, t shirts, etc.)’ is a good way of achieving this.
As with most aspects of using the English language, as we build up our vocabulary around fashion, we can make ourselves better understood. The terms in this article are a good starting point. Enjoy London Fashion week with confidence!
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Fashion Terms: Fundamental Words Related to Style
There's more to fashion than just picking out clothes that
you like and wearing them. Whether you're writing about fashion or just looking
for better ways to discuss the topic, boost your vocabulary by learning some
fundamental fashion terms and words to describe style.
Terms
for Different Types of Clothing
Fashion includes several types of clothing. This category
encompasses the occasions for which apparel is designed as well as different
categories of sizes.
activewear - Clothing designed to be worn during
exercise or sports activities is referred to as activewear. Examples include
yoga pants, basketball shorts, sweatshirts, tennis skirts, and other related
items.
bespoke - The term bespoke refers to clothing that is
custom-made for a particular person at that person's request. The pattern for
creating the clothing item is made for the individual. The most common bespoke
items are men's suits.
capsule wardrobe - A capsule wardrobe consists of
specific clothing items designed to be worn together in a variety of different
combinations to create different looks. When a brand produces mix and match
pieces designed to be used interchangeably without having to add in other
pieces, that is a capsule wardrobe.
corporate - Corporate apparel is designed to be worn
in traditional business environments. It primarily includes suits and related
separates designed to be worn as suits. Pieces tend to be designed in classic
styles, with elements like label width and the cut of pants, skirts and jackets
being adjusted to current fashion.
designer - In fashion terminology, designer clothing
refers to pricy, ready-to-wear apparel with a designer brand name on the label.
It is mass-produced for sale in retail stores or their online equivalent. These
are typically quality or luxurious items that reflect the style of the day.
eveningwear - The term eveningwear describes apparel
designed to be worn to nighttime formal occasions, such as cocktail parties,
charity balls, evening weddings, and other such occasions. Tuxedos are common
men's eveningwear. For women, eveningwear includes ball gowns or ornate tops
paired with dressy palazzo pants.
haute couture - The French phrase haute
couture translates to "high fashion" in English. This term is
used to refer to very high-end exclusive fashions custom-fitted for the wearer.
True haute couture pieces are handmade, one-of-a-kind pieces.
juniors - The word juniors is used for clothing
designed for young girls who have outgrown children's sizes but are not yet
ready for adult sizes. Juniors sizes are odd numbers (3, 5, 7 and on, stopping
at 15). They are cut for figures that have not yet developed curves that are
accounted for in misses sizes.
misses - Misses fashions are designed for adult women.
Misses sizes are even numbers, typically ranging from size two to 16, though
some lines include zero and 18. They are roomier in the bust and hips than
juniors sizes, yet less so than women's sizes.
oversize - Garments that are supposed to fit extremely
loosely are said to be oversized. Shawls and throws are often designed to be
oversized, as are many t-shirts, muumuu style dresses and swimming suit
coverups.
petites - Fashions that fall into the category of
petites are designed for women who are 5'3" or below. They are sized
similar to misses fashions but are proportionately altered to account for the
smaller frame of women who are petite in stature.
reversible - Clothing that is designed to be worn with
either side facing out is reversible. It's common for jackets to be reversible,
often with water repellent fabric on one side and flannel on the others. Items
in a capsule wardrobe collection are sometimes reversible as well, providing
even more options to the wearer.
sportswear - The word sportswear is used to describe
casual apparel that can be worn for any occasion where professional or formal
attire is not required. It includes things like khaki pants, polo style shirts,
button-down shirts, and other similar items.
vintage - True vintage clothing items are ones made in
a previous era that are not yet antique. Vintage pieces are typically described
as items between 20 and 99 years old. Sometimes new clothing is made in a
vintage style, which means it reflects the look of apparel made during an
earlier timeframe.
women's - Women's sizes are designed for women who
need a more generous cut than misses sizes. They are typically designed with a
"W" after the even-numbered size. Most women's lines start at 14W, though
some start smaller. For example, women's retailer Lane Bryant generally carries
sizes 10W through 32W.
Fashion Words to Describe Styles
There are many words to describe styles in the world of
fashion. Some of these terms describe a particular style of clothing while
others could be used to describe an individual's style of dress. Some can be
used in both contexts.
androgynous - Clothing that is designed to be gender
neutral reflects androgynous style. Apparel made in this style is not
exclusively masculine or feminine in appearance.
boho - In fashion, boho style refers to a relaxed,
free-flowing way of dressing. It includes long, flowing skirts or dresses and
peasant-style blouses. The fabric of boho fashions is often beaded or
embroidered.
classic - Fashions that can be described as classic
are simple looks that stand the test of time regardless of fashion trends.
Classic fashions are typically simply cut with a relatively tailored fit.
Classic pieces are made with quality fabric in neutral colors, either solid or in
understated patterns.
cruise wear - Sometimes referred to as resort wear,
cruise wear consists of casual, beachy looking apparel appropriate for a cruise or
tropical vacation. Hawaiian shirts, maxi dresses, slip-on sandals and other
super-relaxed apparel falls into this style category.
eclectic -The term eclectic doesn't refer to a
specific style of clothing, but rather to an individual who chooses to combine
pieces from different styles together to create a unique look. Someone who
pairs classic pieces with boho or glam items would be outfitted in an eclectic
style.
edgy - Edgy fashion goes beyond the trends of the day
to push the proverbial envelope of fashion. When mini skirts are on-trend, an
edgy designer might produce micro-minis. When it's trendy to wear tights under
short skirts, an edgy dresser might leave off the skirt and instead pair a long
blouse with tights.
elegant - Fashion that can be described as elegant is
graceful and understated. Flowing skirts, simply cut silk blouses and classic
empire waist dresses are elegant. So are pearls. The way Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis dressed is
a snapshot of what elegant fashion looks like.
fashion forward - Fashion styles that have not yet
become popular but that are likely to do so in the near future are fashion
forward. Influencers and trendsetters are often described as having fashion
forward style, as their adoption of a way of dressing is often what propels a
look to become trendy. Edgy looks are fashion forward.
glam - Fashion that can be described as glam tends to
be flashy and adorned with lots of bling. Think velvet, sequins, sparkly beads,
super low-cut necklines, plunging backs, and thigh-high stiletto boots to help
visualize what glam looks like.
in vogue - Styles that are currently popular for
people to wear can be described as in vogue. This term is used more for trendy
items of clothing that may fall out of vogue just as quickly as they became in
vogue, rather than classic apparel that is always in style.
on trend - Fashions that reflect the most current
trends of the day can be described as on-trend. For example, 1980s fashion trends included legwarmers
and torn sweatshirts, as a result of the popular movie Flashdance, as well
as neon colors and super-short skirts.
preppy - The preppy style is an upscale yet casual
look reflective of prep school attire. Preppy looks include chino style pants
paired with penny loafers or boat shoes and tennis dresses paired with Keds
tennis shoes and argyle socks.
punk - The punk style is reflective of music that
bears the same name. It often includes distressed or torn/shredded jeans,
leather jackets, clothing adorned or accessorized with studs or chains, and
button-up shirts with the sleeves cut off.
sporty - The sporty fashion style is all about
dressing simply with comfort in mind. It can include activewear or sportswear,
as well as even more casual items (sundresses, cargo shorts, jeans, t-shirts,
and similar).
tailored - Fashions that can be described as tailored
are ones designed to be trim fitting. They fit snug to the body when properly
fitted, so they're styled to fit very precisely. Achieving a truly tailored
look can require alterations or even custom fitting.
relaxed - Relaxed fashions are the opposite of ones
that are tailored. They are loose-fitting without being oversized. When
properly fitted, relaxed items are roomy. They tend to drape a bit, or at least
not cling tightly to the wearer's body in any way.
sophisticated - Fashions that can be described as
sophisticated are upscale, high quality pieces that are feminine without being
flowy or girly. They are also not blingy or overstated in any way. They are
typically well-cut, form-fitting looks appropriate for a mature woman who wants
to be taken seriously.
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Fashion Design Terminology
Learning to properly use fundamental fashion design
terminology can help you sound like an industry insider.
appliqué - An appliqué is a shape that is cut from a
piece of fabric and attached to an item of clothing. For example, a boho blouse
might be adorned with butterfly appliqués. Another option would be a denim
jacket that has patches attached as appliqués.
asymmetrical - When a piece of apparel is designed so
that the sides of the item are not cut the same, the item can be described as
asymmetrical. A skirt that is longer in the back than the front is
asymmetrical, as is a blouse that is shorter on one side than the other.
atelier - The French word atelier is used to
describe the workshop, studio or other physical locations where designers
create their concepts and bring them to life. Designers work in ateliers along
with their assistants and other employees or contractors.
brand - A fashion brand refers to the name with which
a particular line of clothing is labeled, such as Polo by Ralph Lauren, Chico's
and Izod. Brand can refer to the actual brand name, as well as the logo used to
visually represent the brand.
bugle beads - Tubular beads that are often sewn onto
dressy clothing as embellishments are called bugle beads. Shimmery tops and
ball gowns are typically adorned with a lot of bugle beads in metallic colors
with an opalescent shimmer.
dart - A dart is a tuck sewn into a piece of clothing
so that it will properly fit curvy parts of the body. Misses and women's
fashions typically have darts at the bustline, for example. Darts are most
common in tailored and fitted apparel styles.
dolman sleeve - A dolman sleeve is tightly fitted at
the wrist but blouses out above the wrist. This is common on long-sleeve
peasant-style topics, using elastic or a drawstring at the wrist to create this
look. Elegant silk or chiffon blouses often feature dolman sleeves above tightly
fitting button cuffs at the wrist.
embroidery - In fashion, the word embroidery is used
to describe needlework that is added to a garment in order to embellish it.
Embroidery can be done by hand or machine.
empire waist - A dress or blouse that has a fitted
waistline that is placed directly below the bust has an empire waist. This type
of waistline is typically shirred, with fabric blousing above it and billowing
below it.
ensemble - In the world of fashion, an ensemble is a
complete outfit. It includes all pieces of clothing and accessories used to
complete a particular look. An ensemble is, in essence, what a person is
wearing when he or she is fully dressed for an occasion, whether it's going to
the office or the red carpet.
eponymous - The word eponymous refers to an item named
for itself. When the brand name attached to a line of fashion is identical to
the name of the original designer, that means the brand is eponymous. For
example, Louis Vuitton is an eponymous brand, as well as the name of the designer
himself.
fashion press - The segment of the news media that
covers and reports on the fashion industry is referred to as the fashion
press. Vogue and Women's Wear Daily (WWD) are examples
of media outlets that can be described as examples of the fashion press.
gathers - Creating gathers when making a garment
requires pulling fabric together with a row of stitches in such a way as to
create flowing fullness in a garment. When the fabric is pulled together, it
does so in a way that creates small folds that cause the fabric to drape below
where the stitches are made.
hemline - The fashion term hemline refers to the
bottom edge of a garment. It can describe how long or short an item is. For
example, there are many different skirt lengths, from mini skirt to floor
length. It can also refer to how a hem is finished or embellished, such as an
uneven hemline or one trimmed with fringe.
off-the-rack - Clothing that is mass-produced for sale
via retail stores is referred to as off-the-rack. These clothes are
manufactured in standards sizes intended to be offered for sale to consumers for
general purchase.
ready-to-wear - This term means the same thing as
off-the-rack. Items in a designer's line that are mass-produced for sale in
stores rather than being custom-fitted to clients are described as
ready-to-wear.
sample - A piece of clothing made by a designer or
fashion house to show to retailers as a way of letting them know what will be
available in the current year's collection.
silhouette - In fashion terms, the word silhouette
means the basic shape or outline of an item of clothing. For example, the term A-line can be used to
describe the silhouette of a certain style of skirt. This style is fitted at
the waist, but flares out in a straight line from the waist to the hem,
resembling a capital A.
slipover - A slipover is a top or dress that is
designed to be put on simply by pulling it over the wearer's head. This style
does not include a functional zipper or buttons that have to be used in order
to don the garment.
Definitions
- to
be on trend:
to be very fashionable
- casual
clothes:
not formal
- classic
style:
a simple, traditional style that is always fashionable
- designer
label:
a well-known company that makes (often expensive) clothing
- dressed
to kill:
wearing clothes that attract admirers
- to
dress for the occasion: to wear clothes suitable for a
particular event
- fashionable: in fashion
- fashion
house:
a company that sells (usually expensive) new styles in clothes
- fashion
icon:
a person who is famous for their sense of fashion
- fashion
show:
an event where modals show off the latest in fashion designs
- to
get dressed up: to put on nice clothes, often to go out somewhere
special
- to
go out of fashion: to not be in fashion any more
- hand-me-downs: clothes that
are passed down from older brothers or sisters to their younger siblings
- to
have an eye for (fashion): to be a good judge of
- to
have a sense of style: the ability to wear clothes that
look stylish
- the
height of fashion: very fashionable
- to
keep up with the latest fashion: to wear the latest fashions
- to
look good in:
to wear something that suits you
- to
mix and match: to wear different styles or items of clothing that
aren’t part of a set outfit
- must-have: something that
is highly fashionable and therefore in demand
- off
the peg:
clothing that is ready made
- old
fashioned:
not in fashion any more
- on
the catwalk:
the stage that modals walk along to show off the latest fashions
- a
slave to fashion: someone who always feel the need to wear the latest
fashions
- smart
clothes:
the kind of clothes worn for a formal event
- to
suit someone:
to look good on someone
- to
take pride in one’s appearance: to pay attention to how one
looks
- timeless: something that
doesn’t go out of fashion
- vintage
clothes:
clothes from an earlier period
- well-dressed: to be dressed
attractively
a flat double pleat made by folding under the fabric on
either side of it
Types of pleats include knife pleats (all folds facing one
direction), box pleats (two flat folds in opposite directions with
edges of the fabric meeting underneath), and inverted pleats (similar to a box
pleat but with the fullness on the outer side)
Prêt-a-porter: A French term for ready to wear.
a dye that is considered to be a base because the
chromophore is part of a positive ion
A look characterized by simple forms and basic color schemes.
become flared and widen, usually at one end
A line: A dress/ skirt shape that is narrower at the top
and gently flaring out to the bottom, following the shape of the
letter A. Flattering for bottom heavy figures.
a fold in a garment or piece of fabric
Draping: The art of creating a dress simply by arranging
fabric around a body using the natural fall of the fabric and techniques
like pleating, gathering.
slow down by moving the tail sideways
Fishtail Skirt: Tightly fitted around the hip and
flaring out from the knee to the ground.
the line formed by the edge of a garment around the neck
Cowl Neck: A neckline with material falling
loosely from shoulder to shoulder forming soft graceful folds.
baking shelled eggs
Also known as shirring.
a sleeve extending from the shoulder to the elbow
Cap Sleeves: A small short sleeve that sits
exactly on the shoulder or falling just on to the arm.
women's clothing that has a fitted top and a flared skirt
that is widest at the hemline
Popular silhouettes are A-line, H-line, Bell shaped,
Empire line, etc.
trend-setting fashions
Haute Couture: High fashion, hand made, staggeringly
expensive one of a kind pieces that often require three fittings.
draw through eyes or holes
Corset: A slim fitting top, usually strapless with stiff
boning inside as support and either laced up or with hooks as
closures.
a dress suitable for formal occasions
LBD or the Little Black Dress: A black cocktail dress that
has become a fashion staple after being first introduced by Coco Channel.
foil made of gold
Since the lac is visible, gold foil is inserted
behind the stones to cover the lac giving the jewelry a mellow, rich look.
breathe noisily, as when one is exhausted
Bootleg: A pant style that tapers to the knee and
then flares out gently so as to accommodate the bulk of the boot.
a garment with a full length opening
Wrap: Both wraparound tops and wraparound skirts
involve overlapping fabric around the waist, either in the front or the back to
create a fitted waistline.
a short sleeveless undergarment for women
Camisole: A short sleeveless garment for women that feels
like lingerie.
get undressed
Minimalism: A trend in design where clothes are stripped
down to their most basic elements.
take apart into its constituent pieces
Deconstruction: Is a term used to describe clothing that
has been taken apart and put back together in a new unexpected way,
or looks unfinished, raw and as though it may be deteriorating.
the act of folding in parallel folds
Draping: The art of creating a dress simply by arranging
fabric around a body using the natural fall of the fabric and techniques
like pleating, gathering.
a hole to which a sleeve can be attached
When pants are cut extra wide, they are popularly known as
palazzo pants.
**** top: Any short sleeveless top with a loose armhole.
the narrowing of the body between the ribs and hips
Empire Line: A silhouette where the waistline is
pulled up just below the bust.
used of women's clothing having a hemline at the ankle
Minis- Maxis: A mini is a very short skirt or dress
falling mid-thigh or higher.
having no sleeves
Camisole: A short sleeveless garment for women
that feels like lingerie.
a philosophical theory of criticism (usually of literature
or film) that seeks to expose deep-seated contradictions in a work by delving
below its surface meaning
Deconstruction: Is a term used to describe clothing that
has been taken apart and put back together in a new unexpected way, or looks
unfinished, raw and as though it may be deteriorating.
lacking a back
On the cross grain refers to cutting fabric in the
direction of the warp (horizontal yarns)
Halter: A sleeveless top, whose cut leaves the shoulders bare and is quite
often backless.
jewelry to ornament the ear
Chandelier Earrings: Long shoulder-dusting earrings
incorporating crystals and beads lending them the look of chandeliers.
having no straps
Corset: A slim fitting top, usually strapless with
stiff boning inside as support and either laced up or with hooks as closures.
high fashion designing and dressmaking
Haute Couture: High fashion, hand made, staggeringly
expensive one of a kind pieces that often require three fittings.
flat stitches worked so closely as to resemble satin
Phulkari: A traditional Punjabi technique of embroidery
using satin stitch in silk floss on coarse cotton.
extremely
Haute Couture: High fashion, hand made, staggeringly expensive
one of a kind pieces that often require three fittings.
the yarn woven across the warp yarn in weaving
Bias: When a garment is cut at an angle to the warp
(horizontal yarns) and weft (vertical yarns) of a fabric.
artifact made by weaving or felting or knitting fibers
Badla: A flat metallic wire inserted into fabric and
beaten down.
trend-setting fashions
Haute Couture: High fashion, hand made, staggeringly
expensive one of a kind pieces that often require three fittings.
informed about the latest trends
Straight legged: Pants that have been cut straight from
the hip to the floor, i.e. of equal width throughout.
a burst of light used to communicate or illuminate
A line: A dress/ skirt shape that is narrower at the top
and gently flaring out to the bottom, following the shape of the
letter A. Flattering for bottom heavy figures.
a garment hanging from the waist
A line: A dress/ skirt shape that is narrower at
the top and gently flaring out to the bottom, following the shape of the letter
A. Flattering for bottom heavy figures.
a youth subculture originating in San Francisco in the
1960s
Hipsters: Low cut pants, whose waist rests on or below the
hip.
the manner in which fabric hangs or falls
Draping: The art of creating a dress simply by arranging
fabric around a body using the natural fall of the fabric and techniques like
pleating, gathering.
decorative needlework
Can be a touch of color, embroidery, etc, that makes a
designer's work look unique.
eat up; usually refers to a considerable quantity of food
Odhani: A piece of fabric like a dupatta, worn tucked
in at the waist, over the head and back with the loose end over one
shoulder.
an article of clothing
Accent: A distinctive feature that accentuates the look and
style of a garment.
having surface roughness
Tussar: A heavy textured silk fabric.
a rule that provides direction for appropriate behavior
To qualify as an haute couture piece a garment must follow
several strict guidelines.
clothing for use outdoors
Jacket: A garment designed as outerwear usually
falling somewhere between the waist and the hip, closing with either buttons or
a zip.
having a breast or breasts
Jackets can be single breasted or double
breasted, or have a Chinese collar, all according to the season and current
trends.
a loose robe originating in Japan
Kimono: A Japanese garment.
underpants worn by women
Capri’s:
Knee to calf length straight cut pants.
a woman's close-fitting foundation garment
Corset: A slim fitting top, usually strapless with stiff
boning inside as support and either laced up or with hooks as closures.
someone who rejects the established culture
Hipsters: Low cut pants, whose waist rests on or below the
hip.
a filled-in drawing of the outline of an object
Empire Line: A silhouette where the waistline is
pulled up just below the bust.
a fold of fabric below the collar of a coat or jacket
Lapel: An extension of the collar in a jacket that folds
out.
a work produced by manual labor
Chikankari: A traditional Lucknowi handicraft, chikan
is the white thread embroidery done on fine white muslin.
whiskey illegally distilled from a corn mash
Bootleg: A pant style that tapers to the knee and then
flares out gently so as to accommodate the bulk of the boot.
a planned combination of colors
A look characterized by simple forms and basic color
schemes.
work that is left incomplete
Odhani: A piece of fabric like a dupatta, worn tucked in at
the waist, over the head and back with the loose end over one
shoulder.
having legs of a specified kind or number
Straight legged: Pants that have been cut straight
from the hip to the floor, i.e. of equal width throughout.
joining or attaching by stitches
Pleats: A technique to create volume in a garment by
folding fabric and stitching it down at the top of the fold.
not cut
Kundan: A traditional form of mounting uncut or
engraved stones in lac.
the part of a garment that is attached at the armhole and
that provides a cloth covering for the arm
Cap Sleeves: A small short sleeve that sits exactly on
the shoulder or falling just on to the arm.
a link or loop made by sewing, knitting, or needlework
Ghagra: A traditional Indian skirt widely flared, often
made up of several triangular panels stitched together to add even
more flare.
an elongated leather strip (or a strip of similar material)
for binding things together or holding something in position
Traditionally with a rounded toe and a flat heel, the chief
characteristic of a Mary Jane is the strap over the top of the foot.
a fine cord of twisted fibers used in sewing and weaving
Bias: When a garment is cut at an angle to the warp
(horizontal yarns) and weft (vertical yarns) of a fabric.
fastened with stitches
Ghagra: A traditional Indian skirt widely flared, often
made up of several triangular panels stitched together to add even
more flare.
either side of the body below the waist and above the thigh
Fishtail Skirt: Tightly fitted around the hip and
flaring out from the knee to the ground.
turn inside out or upside down
Types of pleats include knife pleats (all folds facing one
direction), box pleats (two flat folds in opposite directions with edges of the
fabric meeting underneath), and inverted pleats (similar to a box
pleat but with the fullness on the outer side)
Prêt-a-porter: A French term for ready to wear.
bend or lay so that one part covers the other
Cowl Neck: A neckline with material falling loosely from
shoulder to shoulder forming soft graceful folds.
a truck consisting of a tractor and trailer together
Depending on the amount of flare required, the hem can
either be semi-circular or even a quarter circle..
women's underwear and nightclothes
Camisole: A short sleeveless garment for women that feels
like lingerie.
a pocket inside of a man's coat
Welt pockets: The breast pocket in formal men's
suits.
bend or twist out of shape
Bias: When a garment is cut at an angle to the warp (horizontal
yarns) and weft (vertical yarns) of a fabric.
extend over and cover a part of
Wrap: Both wraparound tops and wraparound skirts involve overlapping fabric
around the waist, either in the front or the back to create a fitted waistline.
a top worn by women
Corsets are often used as a substitute for a blouse.
make rigid or more rigid
Tulle: A stiffened silk net.
the linear extent in space from one end to the other
Capri’s:
Knee to calf length straight cut pants.
the act of working out the form of something
Gota: A traditional form of embroidery using a narrow gold
or silver ribbon folded to form designs and patterns.
the oldness of wines
Vintage: A trend in fashion now that references designs and
other details from bygone eras from the 1920's unto the 70's.
a game in which small pointed missiles are thrown at a
dartboard
Tunic: A straight cut dress without darts.
(used of color) artificially produced; not natural
Ikat: A handicraft where the yarns are carefully tie- dyed in
a particular design before they are woven together.
animal fibers produced by larvae that spin cocoons
Phulkari: A traditional Punjabi technique of embroidery
using satin stitch in silk floss on coarse cotton.
a partiality preventing objective consideration of an issue
Bias: When a garment is cut at an angle to the warp
(horizontal yarns) and weft (vertical yarns) of a fabric.
plain-woven cotton fabric
Chikankari: A traditional Lucknowi handicraft, chikan is
the white thread embroidery done on fine white muslin.
a cereal grass
Grain: A term used to describe the direction of the weft
(vertical yarns).
assemble or get together
Circular Skirts: A skirt cut so that the hem of the skirt
forms a circle without any gathers at the waist.
the act of folding
Pleats: A technique to create volume in a garment by folding fabric
and stitching it down at the top of the fold.
separate with or as if with an instrument
Bias: When a garment is cut at an angle to the
warp (horizontal yarns) and weft (vertical yarns) of a fabric.
meeting adequate standards for a purpose
Corset: A slim fitting top, usually strapless
with stiff boning inside as support and either laced up or with hooks as
closures.
the feel of a surface or a fabric
This is a very popular technique to create texture.
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