Your A-Z Fashion Dictionary
Love fashion, but not sure exactly what the terms “macramé” and “vent” mean? Look no further than this A-Z fashion dictionary. From a-line to zori, this list will have you speaking like a designer in no time.
A-line
A skirt that is fitted at the waist and widens toward the hem, like the sides of a letter “A.”
Bolt
A unit of measurement for fabric used in fashion design. Bolts are usually between 40-100 yards.
Couture
Clothing that is designed by hand for each individual customer, specifically to meet their measurements.
Dart
A pleat put into a piece of clothing to help shape it, usually around the bust or waist.
Empire waist
When a garment’s waistline sits just under the bust, rather than around the waist.
Face
The face of a piece of fabric is the side of the fabric that is meant to be facing out when it is worn.
Garment
A single item of clothing.
Hem
The finished bottom edge of a dress, skirt, coat, or pant.
Instep
The arched area of your foot. In fashion, the instep refers to the part of a shoe that covers this part of your foot.
Jersey
A stretchy fabric often used to make t-shirts.
Knife pleat
Pressed pleats that create sharp folds.
Lettuce hem
Occurs when the fabric is stretched and pulled while being sewn, which creates a wavy hem that resembles the edge of a lettuce leaf.
Macramé
A technique of making fabric by threading together multiple different colors or types of yarn or string into decorative patterns.
Non-woven
A category of fabrics that is not woven, knitted, knotted, or crocheted. These types of fabrics are not as popular as woven fabrics.
Ombre
A gradual change in color from dark to light.
Peplum
Flared fabric at the bottom of a shirt, jacket, dress, or coat that is gathered at the top to create a flounce.
Quarter
The part of a shoe that covers your heel.
Raglan
A sleeve style that uses one piece of fabric from neckline to wrists, leaving no shoulder seam.
Signature bag
A handbag that features the signature or initials of the designer as part of its main print.
Tuxedo
Formal evening wear for men, including a tailored jacket and trousers.
Unitard
A single garment that covers the entire body, including the arms and legs.
Vent
A slit in a piece of clothing meant to make it easier to move in.
Wrap dress
Considered one of the most flattering garments of all time, the wrap dress is a dress that is wrapped around you instead of pulled up from the ankles or down over the head. It was brought into fashion by Diane Von Furstenberg.
X-ray fabric
Sheer or see-through fabric made to show the body, creating the effect of an x-ray.
Yoke
The part of a shirt or dress that stretches over the shoulders in the front and back.
Zori
A type of Japanese sandal.