Fashion Terms/Glossary

A-line skirt: fitted at the waist, flaring out in an A-line or tulip shape at the hem

back yoke: fitted or shaped piece at the top of a skirt or at the shoulder of various garments

bateau neck/boat neck: high, wide, and straight neckline that runs straight across the front and back, meeting at the shoulders

besom pockets: sewn inside the garment with access through a welted slit

bias cut: cut diagonally across the grain of a fabric and used to create clothing that closely follows the body

blazer: long-sleeve jacket with lapels

bolero jacket: loose, waist-length jacket that’s open at the front

camisole: short and sleeveless top

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

capri pants: fairly straight-cut pants, tapered to mid-calf

cardigan jacket: collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front

cargo: characterized by a large pocket usually with a flap and pleat

chemise/skimmer: straight unbelted dress

column skirt/straight skirt: pencil skirt with straight line — no flare or fullness at the hem or waistline

convertible collar: rolled collar that can be worn open or closed

cowl neck: neckline that can be worn as a hood or draped loosely in a swag from shoulder to shoulder

crew neck: round neckline with ribbed banding, fitting close to the neck

cropped top/jacket: top or jacket with hem cut just above the waist

dolman sleeve: designed to create a deep, wide armhole that reaches from the waist to a narrowed wrist (also called batwing)

double-breasted: half of the front overlapping the other with a double row of buttons and a single row of buttonholes

draped bodice: extra piece of material draped over the bustline

dropped waist/low waist: waistline sewn below the body’s natural waistline

empire bodice: ends just below the bust, often low-cut and gathered

empire seam: sewn directly below the bustline

empire waist: waistline that begins just below the bust

flat-front pants: straight pants that are often seamless and pocketless

form-fitting/slimfit: straight from waist to ankle except for a slight curve around the hip

gaucho: wide-leg pants or divided skirt reaching mid-calf and worn with boots

hankerchief style: the hem of a blouse or skirt that’s gently jagged and forms flowing points

Hollywood waistband: fully elasticized back with side zipper/button closure

hook & eye closure: two-part fastening device consisting of a metal hook that catches over a bar or into a loop

jewel neck: high, round neckline that rests at the base of the neck

kangaroo pocket: formed by sewing a piece of cloth over a garment leaving two open ends

keyhole neck: round cutout that fastens at the front or back of the neckline

kimono: long robe with wide sleeves traditionally worn with broad sash

mandarin collar: short, stand-up collar, adopted from the close-fitting Asian collar

natural waist: seam or waistband that secures or falls at the natural curve of the body (between the hips and the ribcage)

notched collar: two-piece collar that can only be worn open

peasant top: romantic style often characterized with a low neckline, ruffles, or free-flowing material

peek-a-boo: any part of the garment that’s been cut out to reveal skin

placket: piece of cloth that reinforces a split or opening in a garment and serves as the closure

princess seams: seams on the front or back of a garment that create a form-fitting shape

puff sleeve/pouf sleeve: full sleeve of varying lengths, created by generous gathering around the armhole

scoop neck/round neck: low U-shaped or round neckline

shawl collar: one-piece collar turned down to form a continuous line around the back of the neck and to the front

sheath: a close-fitting dress with a back slit

shelf bra: built-in bra in a garment

shirred waist: decorative gathering made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching

shrug: small waist-length or shorter jacket

skort: shorts that have a front covering that resembles a skirt

square neck: open-yoke neckline that looks like half of a square

straight leg: pants that are cut an equal width from waist to ankle

sweetheart neck: graceful, open yoke shaped like the top half of a heart

tea length: gown hemmed to end at the shin

trapeze top: tank with flared bottom

tunic: long slip-on garment made with or without sleeves

wide leg: pants or jeans cut extra full through the legs

wing collar: collar with projections that cover the shoulder seams