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A
A-Line Dress
Form-fitting bodice that flares out from the waistline to a full skirt.

Acetate
Synthetic fiber made from cellulose acetate; differs from rayon. Acetate fabrics include brocade, crepe, double knits, knitted jersey, satin, taffeta and tricot.

Acrylic
Synthetic fiber. Soft, lightweight and warm; frequently used instead of wool. Washable, dries quickly.


B
Baby Doll
A short dress whose hem terminates just below the hip. A baby doll is longer than a crop top but shorter than a chemise.

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’s removable.

Back Rise
The distance, in the back of pants, measured from the crotch to the top of the waistband.

Back Yoke
A fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments.

Bat-Wing Sleeve
A sleeve that fits closely at the wrist but widens to be very full under the arm. From the back, the sleeve resembles a cape. Its name comes from its resemblance to the wing of a bat.

“BeFit” Fabric
Specially-designed BEBE SPORT fabric customized to fit close to the body, retain its shape after multiple washings, slim with two-way stretch and maximize mobility for greater performance.

Bias Cut
A slanted cut across the warp and filling of a fabric. Silk and dressy materials are often cut on the bias to keep the material from sagging and twisting, for better wearability.

Bikini
A brief, close-fitting two-piece bathing suit.

Bodice
The upper part of a woman’s dress or top, often close-fitting.

Boning
Used to give a garment support and body contouring. Once actually constructed of whale bone, today's boning is usually made of plastic strips slipped into sheaths sewn into the garment.

Bootcut
Refers to the width at the hem of pants – cut wide enough to be worn on the outside of boots. Usually cut below the belly button with a slight flare from the knee to the ankle.

Bootie
A hybrid short boot and shoe.

Box Pleat
Two folds of fabric brought together to form a pleat.

Bubble Hem
A voluminous hem that is tucked back under to create a “bubble effect” at the bottom.

Burnout Fabric
Plainweave fabric made of two different yarns. The fabric is treated with acid to “burnout” one of the fibers, creating a pattern design. Most are lightweight blends with sheer and opaque areas; others are sculpted velvets.

Bustier
A garment similar to a corset that is like a combination waist cinch and brassiere. It ends at the waist or extends to the hips. Formerly an undergarment that was sometimes called a merry widow, it is now worn as a woman's top, is usually strapless and may be made from highly ornamental fabric.


C
Cabochon
Type of gem cut that is higher in the center, sloping toward the rim, and smooth rather than faceted.

Caged Sandal
A strappy sandal that wraps the foot in lattice like bands – resembling a cage.

Camisole/Cami
A fitted top with spaghetti straps that can be worn alone or as a layering piece.

Cap Sleeve
A small, short sleeve that sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm to provide minimal coverage.

Capri Pant
Three-quarter length pants designed to hit mid-calf – first popularized on the Isle of Capri.

Cardigan Jacket
A usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front.

Cargo Style
Pants or shorts with patch pocket or bellows pocket with a flap (usually a button flap).

Charmeuse
A lightweight satinweave fabric which is soft and drapes well. It is smooth and has a semilustrous satin face. May be silk, polyester, cotton, rayon or blends.

Chiffon
A very light, transparent, thin fabric in plain weave. The term “chiffon” is frequently used to indicate lightness and softness.

Choker
A choker is a close-fitting necklace worn high on the neck. This type of jewelry can consist of one or more bands circling the neck. Chokers can be made of a variety of materials, including velvet, beads, metal and leather – often adorned with sequins, studs or a pendant.

Clog
A casual shoe on a wood base usually with a closed toe with open back.

Corduroy
A soft, full pile weave fabric with a lengthwise rib effect called wales. Width of wales varies from narrow, pin wales to very wide wales.

Corset
Typically a strapless bodice with boning that either laces or snaps closed; extremely contoured and close-fitting sometimes including built-in boning for support.

Cotton/Spandex
A blend of lightweight, breathable fabric made with durable, stretchable, man-made fibers of polyurethane and natural cottons.

Covered Heel
A heel that is covered with leather or man-made materials that match the color and texture of the vamp.

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.

Crepe
A fabric characterized by a crinkled, puckered surface or soft mossy finish. Comes in different weights and degrees of sheerness.

Crew Neck
A round neck with ribbed banding that fits close to the base of the neck.

Crochet
A technique for making a garment or shoe with lacelike effect, involving a hook and yarn.

Cropped Pant
Pants cut to a length just above the ankles.

Cropped Top/Jacket
Hem is cut just above the waist.

Cuff
A fold used as trim. A band, often having an opening with a button closure, at the base of a sleeve; also the turned-up fold at the bottom of a trouser leg.


D
Destroyed
A type of process that shreds jeans with knives and scissors leaving rips, tears and frayed edges.

Dip Dyed
A coloring process where a piece is dipped in dye, building layers of gradient color. The traditional result is a two-toned garmet.

Distressed
Denim characterized by tears, shreds and fading.

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 bat-wing sleeve.

Double-Breasted
A style of closure in which one edge of a garment overlaps another with a double row of buttons or other fasteners.

Doubleknit
A firm knitted fabric made on a special knitting machine that combines a double set of needles to produce one fabric. Both sides look similar and they are firmer than single knits.

Drape
The hang or fall of fabric when made into a garment.

D-Ring
Two D-shaped metal rings are used as a buckle fastening for a belt by interlacing the belt through one ring and overlapping into the second ring.

Dropped Waist/Low Waist
A waistline that is sewn below the body's natural waistline – also called a low-slung waistline; intended to visually help lengthen the torso.


E
Elbow Length Sleeves
Sleeves that end at the elbow; hits higher on the arm than a ¾ length sleeve.

Embossed
Process of pressing a design, by use of heat and engraved rollers, onto a rigid material.

Empire Waist
This waistline begins just below the bust.

Epaulet
Any shoulder ornament, usually a button strap; often seen with braiding or other trim.

Exposed Zipper
A zipper sewn into a garment while leaving the teeth of the zipper visible.

Eyelet
Fabric with embroidered, open work pattern.


F
Faux
A French word meaning imitation or fake. Used most often in connection with gems, pearls, leathers and furs.

Flap Pockets
Pocket with a separate piece of material covering the opening.

Fleece
Knitted or woven heavy wool with a deep, soft nap.

Form-Fitting/Slim-Fit
Straight from waist to ankle except for a slight curve around the hip.

French Terry
A woven fabric, usually cotton, with loop pile on one or both sides.

Front Rise
The distance, in the front of pants, measured from the crotch to the top of the waistband.

Funnel Collar
A collar shape that goes up at the neck.


G
Gladiator
Shoe style inspired by Roman gladiator elements including flat sandals, leather straps and metal detailing.

Grommet
An eyelet that is reinforced with metal or plastic; used as a durable closure or decoration.


H
Halter Top
A sleeveless bodice with a high choke or wrap-neck that is usually backless.

Herringbone
Decorative design that looks like a series of V’s achieved by the use of a right and left twill weave.

Hidden Back Zip
A zipper sewn into a garment so that the teeth of the zipper are hidden within the seam.

High Waisted
An article of clothing that rests on the upper part of the waist.

Hook-and-Eye Closure
A 2-part fastening device consisting of a metal hook that catches over a bar or into a loop.


I
Inseam
The inside seam of a pant leg.

Insole
Inside of a shoe, usually covered by a sock lining.

Inverted Pleat
Reversed box pleat with folds meeting at the top of the pleat.


J
Jacquard
A raised design or pattern woven into a fabric as opposed to being printed on the fabric.

Jewel Neck
A high round neckline resting simply at the base of the neck.

Jersey
Cool, lightweight, plainknit fabric with plain ribs on the face and purl wales on the back. Made in a variety of fibers, may be 100% wool, cotton, silk, man-made or a blend. Good elasticity drapes well, comfortable wear.


K
Kangaroo Pocket
A pocket formed by sewing a piece of cloth over the garment leaving two open ends.


L
Lamé
Metallic fabric with metallic fiber, used as warp or filling yarns.

Leather
The dressed or tanned hide of an animal. Any of various articles or parts made of leather. It is protective, comfortable and breathes well.

Leathered
Made of, relating to, or resembling dressed or tanned animal hide.

Leg Opening
The diameter, across, of the opening of a pant leg. Measured flat to get the radius, the radius is then doubled to provide the true leg opening.

Linen
Fabric that is cooler, stronger and more absorbent than cotton; woven from threads made from the flax plant.

Lurex
Decorative metallic type yarn made of a layer of aluminum between two layers of polyester film, protected by a clear resin coating.


M
Mary Jane
A shoe style characterized by a low heel and a rounded toe – with a single buckled strap over the middle. Sometimes referred to as a baby doll style.

Mesh Knit
A knit weave of crochet fabric with open spaces between the yarns.

Microfiber
A silky synthetic material, usually woven polyester.

Mini Skirt
Used to describe a skirt length reaching to the mid-thigh.

Modal Jersey
Manufactured fiber that's soft, smooth, shape-retentive (even when wet), durable, color-rich and lustrous. Mainly used in clothing, like shirts and underwear.

N
Notched Collar
A two-piece collar that can be only worn open.

Nylon
First synthetic fiber. Very strong, supple, wrinkle resistant and easy to watch.


O
Off-the-Shoulder Neck
A neckline that lies gently hovering across the top of the bustline with the shoulders uncovered.

Ombré
Shadings of a single color from light to dark; or the gradual blending of several colors as in a rainbow.

One Shoulder
An asymmetric cut top or dress which has a single shoulder strap/sleeve on one side.

Organza
Fine, sheer, lightweight, crisp fabric with a stiff feel. It crushes or musses fairly easily, but it is easily pressed. Dressy type of fabric, sometimes has a silvery sheen.

Ottoman
Plain, heavy woven fabric having flat, crosswise ribs.


P
Paillette
Small glittering disk, similar to a sequin, sewn together with others on fabric to create a fishscale effect.

Paisley
Fabric in rich, swirling print either woven in or screened. Based on fine Scottish wool fabrics designed in yarn-dyed colors.

Pea Coat/Pea Jacket
Heavy, warm hip-length woolen jacket with double-breasted front and a wide notched collar; originally worn by sailors in the color known as navy blue.

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.

Peep Toe
A shoe style where the front toes are visible through a small opening.

Pencil Skirt
A skirt that is cut in a straight line from the hips to the hem. The name comes from its pencil-straight appearance.

Peplum
Short flounce attached to a snugly fitting waistline.

Plume
An element of design that sticks up or out of a garment, inspired by a bird’s plume.

Pintuck
Narrow, sewn-down pleats, usually on the front of a garment.

Piping
A narrow fabric or cord used to finish raw edges on material or for decorative purposes in garment finishes.

Pointelle
An open-hole stitch usually in the shape of a V, flower or diamond.

Polyester
A wrinkle-resistant fabric made from synthetic resin.

Poncho
Straight piece of fabric, usually waterproof, with an opening in the center for the head. Originally a Latin American garment in colorful woven fabrics that is used as outerwear.

Pouch Pocket
A pocket that sticks out of a garment in a rounded matter, similar to the shape of a pouch.

Princess Seams
Seams that can be found in the front or the back of a garment that create a figure-flattering, form-fitting shape.

Puff Sleeve/Pouf Sleeve
A full sleeve of varying lengths, created by generous gathering around the armhole.

Pump
A classic women’s shoe style normally with closed toes and a sleek yet stable heel.

PVC
Initials used for leather-like plastic; also known as polyvinylchloride.


R
Raglan Sleeve
A sleeve that extends in one piece to the neckline of the garment.

Rayon
Silky, lustrous material man-made from natural fibers, with excellent drape and dye-ability.

Reinforced Stitching
Stitching lines that are layered to preserve longevity of an item or provide stylistic details.

Ruching
Shirring or pleating for a textured effect, or an applied border of pleated ribbon for a ruffled effect. Pronounced “roo-shing.”

Ruffle
Strip of cloth, lace or ribbon at the edge of a garment that creates a rippled effect.


S
Sandal
A shoe held on by straps or a wide-banded vamp.

Satin
A smooth fabric woven with a glossy face and a dull back.

Scalloping
Edges either cut, knit or crocheted in a tight wave pattern.

Scarf Print
A print that imitates in part, or in full, the framed shape and elaborate design of a print designed for a scarf.

Scoop Neck/Round Neck
A low, U-shaped or round neckline.

Screen Print
Method of printing by hand or machine. A screen is prepared for each color and dye is rolled over the screen with the appropriate color.

Seamless
A garment made without seams, or providing the illusion with no visible seams.

Shawl Collar
A one-piece collar that is turned down to form an elegant, continuous line around the back of the neck to the front of a garment.

Shelf Bra
A bra that is built into a garment and offers the lightest support. It has a smooth, seamless appearance.

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

Shirt Dress
A dress cut similar to a man’s shirt with buttons down the front.

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

Silk
An extremely soft, natural fabric made from the secretions of silkworms.

Single Breasted
Conventional closing for suits, jackets, blouses and coats – fastening with a single button.

Skinny
Narrowing in on the smallest points of the body. Normally refers to jeans that narrow at the ankle but hug the leg throughout.

Slash Pockets
A pocket made with a slit opening, providing access to an inner concealed pocket.

Slingback
Any shoe with an open back and strap around the heel.

Spaghetti Strap
A thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice, named for its likeness to a strand of spaghetti.

Spandex
An elastic fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane.

Square Neck
An open-yoke neckline shaped in the form of a half square.

Stacked Heel
A heel constructed from individual layers of leather or man-made material laminated together for strength, durability and pattern.

Stiletto
A pumps or slingback with a high narrow heel.

Straight Legs
Pant legs that are cut an equal width from the waist to ankles.

Stretch Cotton
A cotton fabric usually blended with spandex for greater comfort, a better fit and superior wrinkle resistance.

Suede
Leather that is buffed on the inside to raise a slight nap – giving it a textured appearance.

Sweetheart Neck
A graceful, open yoke, shaped like the top half of a heart.


T
Tank
A top similar to an undershirt with narrow straps, a U neck and deep armholes.

Tee
Knit shirt with short or long set-in sleeves.

Terry
Cotton, knitted fabric covered with loops on one or both sides; extremely water absorbent.

Tie-Cinched Waist
The waist is pulled tight around the body with a tie.

Tie-Dyed
A method of decorating a garment or fabric by tying string or other material around pre-selected areas in order to prevent dye from being absorbed by these areas. The unprotected area takes up the dye, the tied area does not. To get multicolored effects, the fabric can be tied in other areas and dipped in another colored dye. This process can be repeated as often as desired.

Topstitching
Machine stitching showing on the right side of a garment for decorative effect. Also a shoe detail or decoration.

Trench
A waterproof overcoat styled along military lines.

Tunic
A simple slip-on top that usually falls below the hips or longer.

Tweed
A coarse wool or synthetic fabric used chiefly for casual suits and coats.

Twill
A basic weave characterized by diagonal wales on the face.

Two-Way Stretch
The quality of woven or knit garments made with spandex that enables them to stretch vertically and horizontally.


V
Velour
Soft velvety thick pile fabric made of various fibers and yarns. Used primarily for coats, warm-up suits, knit shirts and dresses.

Velvet
Woven pile fabric of silk or man-made fiber, cotton or rayon back, with short, soft thick luxurious surface. Crushed velvet has a special “ironed” appearance.

V-Neck/V-Back
An open yoke coming to a "V" shape midway down the bodice.


W
Wedge
Slanted heel made in one piece for the sole of a shoe. Can come in low, medium and high heights.

Wide Legs
Pants or jeans that are cut extra full through the legs with a wider leg opening.


Y
Yoke
The fitted top of a garment across the shoulders in front or back, usually a separate piece seamed across the front and back; sometimes lined.

¾ Length Sleeve
A sleeve that ends in between the elbow and the wrist, ¾ of the way down the arm.