Fashion Dictionary
List Of Term Used In The Fashion Industry
Having To Do With Fabrics
15 Denier
Denier is a unit of measure that denotes the thickness of the fiber used in a garment. 15 denier fabric is very thin and transparent.
Black Light Glow - Glow In The Dark
Fabric glows under a blacklight.
Burnout
Alternating patterns of sheer and opaque fabric.
Charmeuse
An opaque (i.e., not see through), shiny fabric.
Chiffon
A lightweight, sheer fabric.
Chopper bar lace
An open net lace background that has been embroidered with a slightly raised, shiny pattern.
Crochet knit
A large, open knit pattern that resembles crocheting.
Fishnet
Coarse, open mesh fabric noted for its sex appeal.
Iridescent
Fabric which appears to change color or sparkle as it moves.
Jacquard
Fabric characterized by an intricate weave or pattern. Originally named after French inventor Joseph-Marie Jacquard who invented a loom capable of producing this fabric.
Mesh/Net
A knit or woven fabric consisting of small, evenly spaced holes.
Microfiber
An extremely fine synthetic fiber usually woven into soft, light weight, washable, breathable fabrics. Picture the finest fiber you can imagine, then divide it in half and that is what is called a microfiber. Half of the thickness of silk and 100 times finer than a human hair. A microfiber is the tiniest man-made fiber ever created. Fabrics made of microfiber are wrinkle resistant and easy to care for.
Regal lace
While it sounds like lace fit for a queen, in reality, this is just a particular pattern of lace that was arbitrarily given the name "Regal" by the fabric manufacturer.
Silk
A natural fiber produced by silkworms that is revered for its luxuriously soft feel.
Silk Knit
Silk fabric which stretches and clings to the body.
Slinky Knit
A soft, elastic knit fabric which conforms to the shape of the body.
Spandex/LycraŽ
Spandex is the generic term for fabric created from elastic thread which helps a garment to stretch for a better fit and added comfort. LycraŽ is a well known brand of spandex.
Taffeta
A crisp plain-woven lustrous fabric
Tapestry
Rich looking fabric similar in appearance to the heavy, hand-woven designs used in making curtains and upholstery.
Venice lace
Firm, heavy lace with an open background, usually in floral leaf patterns.
Velvet
Fabric with a short, soft, dense pile noted for its luxurious feel.
Having To Do With Styles
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.
Adjustable garters
Adjustable (in length) elastic straps which attach to stockings to hold them up
Adjustable shoulder straps
Shoulder straps can be shortened or lengthened to provide the best fit.
American Back
This refers to the amount of "rear" coverage offered by the swimsuit bottom, teddy, panty, etc. An American bottom has a coverage area more than a Brazil bottom
Baby Doll
A garment usually consisting of formed cups with an attached, loose fitting skirt that falls anywhere between the belly button and the hips. The essence of sexy innocence, this short mini gown usually has a hem that terminates just below the hip.
Bell-Bottoms
Pants with wide flaring bottoms
Bolero Coat
A loose fitting, waist length coat/robe open at the front.
Bodice
That portion of the garment which covers the breasts. The upper part of a dress.
Bodystocking - Body Stocking
Snug fitting hosiery that offers coverage from the neck or upper body down to the ankles or toes.
Boxers
Loose fitting under shorts.
Boy Cut
True to name, are much like little-boys briefs. They're boxy, low rise, and have wide-cut legs (called boy shorts). If thongs aren't your thing, boy briefs are fabulous because they prevent VPL's (i.e. visible panty lines), they're very comfy, and they're beyond cute!
Bralette
A sexy bra-like top that lacks the usual supportive features (such as underwires) of a real bra.
Bustier
A bra that extends beneath the breasts to the waist to provide additional support, control and sex appeal.
Camisole - or Cami
A short top usually offering little support for the breasts Cami's cover the top part of the body. It is sleeveless and tighter fitting in contrast to a loose-fitting babydoll or chemise.
Chemise
Short under dress or slip.
Coat
(See Robe)
Corset
A snug fitting garment designed to cinch the waist and lift the breasts. Lacing in the back allows the corset to be adjusted for comfort.
Crotchless
A convenient slit or opening in the fabric covering the crotch (between the legs) area.
Demi cups
Demi cups, or half cups, have a lower line which reveals more of the upper breasts.
Embroidery
Decorative designs sewn into fabric by hand or machine.
Fantasywear - Fetish Clothing
A style of clothing, usually including lingerie, that people wear in the boudoir for living out Sexual Fantasies.
Flutter
A panty style with a strip of fabric around the sides that is elastic on top, but loose on the bottom.
Fringe
Decorative thin strips or strings, usually hanging from the hem line.
G-String
A panty consisting of a triangular patch of fabric connected with thin, elastic straps in back and around the waist completely exposing the behind.
Gown
A long dress usually extending to the ankles.
Halter Neck
Garment wraps around the neck for support and, optionally, may be tied behind the neck (halter tie) or include a clasp (halter closure).
Hook back
Garment closes in back with one or more hooks.
Lace-up Front
Garment laces up in the front for decoration and/or for an adjustable fit.
Lace-up side
Garment laces up the side for decoration and/or for an adjustable fit.
Opaque
Impenetrable by light; neither transparent nor translucent.
Open bust - Open Tip
Little or no coverage is provided over the breasts. In general, open bust means there is no cup whatsoever while open tip usually means there is a cup, but with an opening over the nipple area.
Padded cups
Cups that contain padding, sometimes removable, for those with smaller breasts that might not otherwise fill out the cups.
Panty - Panties
Women's underpants - underwear
Peignoir
From the French word which translates to "garment worn while combing the hair". A negligee or dressing gown.
Plunge cups
Cups that are cut to form a v-shape, thus revealing more cleavage than a bra with full cups.
Princess line
Visible seams which resemble an hourglass shape for a figure flattering look.
Push-up cups
Cups containing padding, sometimes removable, designed to push the breasts up to create a more flattering cleavage.
Removable garters
Elastic straps which attach to stockings to hold them up, but which can be removed if stockings won't be used.
Removable pads
Pads which can be removed from the cups, if desired.
Robe
A loose fitting cover-up.
Scallop edges
A decorative fabric edge shaped similar to a line of scallops (or shells) lined up edge to edge
Seamless
An item manufactured without seams. Seams can be a source of discomfort, so a seamless item will tend to be more comfortable versus a similar item made with seams.
Silicone cups
Cups which are padded with silicone instead of fiber. Silicone tends to provide a smoother, more natural look and a more comfortable fit.
Spaghetti straps
Very thin pieces of fabric resembling the pasta noodle. Found on everything from sundresses to after five dresses, the spaghetti strap is a feminine way to show off bare shoulders and arms.
Snap Crotch
Crotch snaps/unsnaps for convenience.
Strapless
A garment without shoulder straps.
Tap pant
Pants with a slightly gathered, elasticized waistband and very short, loose-fitting legs.
Tailored
Styled to look as if custom made by a tailor.
Teddy
A one piece garment with high cut legs and usually a thong back.
Thong panty
A panty with only a thin strip of material in the back that exposes most of the buttocks.
Underwired
Adds extra support and lift for the breasts using a thin wire sewn into the base of the cups. Especially desirable feature for larger breasted women.
