Dress Glossary of Terms

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z   A   A-line A dress or skirt that looks like the letter A. The silhouette starts as a form-fitting bodice that flares out at the waistline forming an A shape. Acetate A man-made fiber that is flexible, yet firm. Appliqué The attachment of cut-out fabric patterns to the surface of another fabric forming different designs. ( top of page )   B Ballerina A dress or skirt length that finishes right above the ankles. Ballgown A dress with a fitted bodice, narrow waistline and a wide, floor-length flared skirt. Bias Cut A fabric cutting technique that is used to achieve the most possible give by following the body’s natural curves. This happens when the fabric is cut at a 45 degree angle across the length and width. Boat Neck A high, wide, often straight, neckline running from shoulder to shoulder, usually has the same front and back. Bodice The upper portion of a dress, above the waistline. Bouclé A knit or woven fabric with a looped and knotted surface resulting in a nubbed textured surface. ( top of page )   C Camisole A sleeveless, waist length undergarment with thin spaghetti straps. Cap Sleeves A small short sleeve covering the shoulder only. Cashmere A luxurious, incredibly soft fiber obtained from the Kashmir goat. Charmeuse A fabric with a pearly satin finish and crêpe back. Chiffon A light, airy and transparent fabric woven from tightly twisted yarns resulting in a crêpe-like texture. Classic A dress with a timeless quality, usually one that incorporates clean lines. Column A long, straight dress. Corset A corset-like bodice incorporates most of the following elements: strapless, fitted, sometimes boned, seamed and often laced, button, or snapped up the back. Cotton A soft white fibrous substance harvested from the seed pod of the cotton plant. Cotton is a breathable, natural raw material used on its own or in blends to create new fabrics. Cowl Neck A piece of material attached to the neckline that drapes loosely from shoulder to shoulder at the front and/or back. Crêpe de Chine A fine, lightweight crepe usually made of silk. Crochet Loose, open knit made by looping thread with a hooked needle. ( top of page )   D Décolletage/Décolleté A low-cut revealing neckline. Draped A loose, pliable piece of fabric that is pulled, attached or hung across a garment. Usually on the bodice or at the neckline. Drop Waist A waistline with a seam that falls a few inches below the natural waist. ( top of page )   E Embroidery Decoration of a fabric or garment in which various colored threads are sewn on to the fabric creating a design. Empire Line A dress that has a high waistline, one that starts under the bust. Can also be a seam or panel just under the bust. Eyelet A type of embroidery in which holes are punched into a fabric and finished and embellished using a needle and thread. ( top of page )   F Flounce A dress or skirt with a ruffle at the hemline, or one with multiple ruffled layers. ( top of page )   G Gauze A thin transparent fabric, usually silk or cotton. Georgette A sheer, light-weight, fabric with a rough surface. ( top of page )   H Halter A sleeveless bodice typically held in place by a strap around the neck, usually backless. Handkerchief Hem A hemline that is gently jagged to form uneven, flowing points. Hi-Lo Hemline A hem length that is shorter in the front and longer in the back. ( top of page )   I Iridescent A shimmery fabric effect in which two different colors reflect in the light. ( top of page )   J Jersey A term referring to knitted fabrics. ( top of page )   K Keyhole An oval shape cut-away, usually on the neckline. Kimono A long robe with wide sleeves typically worn with a broad sash at the waist. Knee-Length A dress or skirt that falls on or about the knees. Knit Fabrics Fabrics formed by the intermeshing of looped yarn. ( top of page )   L Lace A delicate hand or machine-made decorative fabric made in a variety of designs by looping, interlacing or knitting thread in an open pattern. Lamé A woven fabric that uses gold, silver or metallic yarn throughout for a shimmery effect. Linen A cloth made from fibers of flax. Linen fabrics are cool and absorbent but wrinkle very easily. Lining A fabric that is used to coat the inner surface of a garment, providing a finished look. Lurex® A metallic fiber or yarn trademark by Dow Company. Lycra® An elastic fiber trademark by DuPont that has incredible stretch and recovery and is especially used for close-fitting garments. ( top of page )   M Macramé A heavy lace, often geometric in design, formed by knotting and interlacing threads, cords, strings or yarns. Matte A flat, non-shiny fabric finish Mermaid A dress that fits tightly until the knee then dramatically Mesh An open, net-like fabric. Metallic fiber A gold, silver, copper or other type of metal-like yarn. Microfiber A soft, durable, lightweight, and breathable fabric. Miniskirt A very short skirt that falls at the mid-thigh or above. ( top of page )   N Natural Waist A seam or waistband that falls at the natural curve of the body, between the hips and the ribcage. Net An open-mesh fabric often used in veils and fish nets. Nylon A synthetic fiber that is durable, lightweight and resilient. ( top of page )   O Off-the-Shoulder A neckline which lies just over the top of the bust with shoulders uncovered. Ombré A fabric dyed in a gradation of a single or multiple color, from light to dark. Organza A thin stiff transparent silk or synthetic fabric. ( top of page )   P Paillettes Large sequins. Paisley A detailed pattern of curved tear-drops. Peasant Skirt A skirt, usually full and long, that features bands of embroidery. Pleat A tailoring technique where a fold of fabric is made by doubling material over on itself. Polyester A man-made fiber that is strong, resilient, and highly resistant to abrasion. Poncho A square or rectangular piece of fabric with a center hole for sliding over the head. Princess Princess seams are long and vertical, designed to create a form-fitting shape. A princess shape dress has a tight-fitting bodice, then flares out from a seamless waist. Print A fabric with a design applied to it. ( top of page )   Q There are currently no glossary terms. ( top of page ) R Rayon A man-made fiber. Ribbon A flat, long, narrow strip of fabric used as a decorative piece. Romantic Look A term used to describe a big, floaty, dreamy type of silhouette or dress. Ruched A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates gathering up a strip of fabric and stitching it through the center to make ruffles on both sides. Ruffle A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates gathering a strip of fabric by stitching it along one edge or cutting that fabric in a curve so that it produces a rippling effect. ( top of page )   S Satin A fabric that has a silky, lustrous surface. Scoop Neck An open, low, U-shaped or round neckline. Sequins Circular decorative pieces used to embellish a garment. Sheath A straight dress with no waistline Shirring A dressmaker technique used to decorate a garment, which incorporates gatherings made by having the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching. Shrug A short, round-edged jacket or sweater with no closure. Silk A strong, luxurious, natural fiber produced by silkworms. Spaghetti Straps Very thin shoulder straps Spandex A manufactured fiber that is extremely elastic. It can be stretched over 500% without breaking and still recover its original length. Square Neck An open neckline with two right angles in the front forming a square shape. Stockings A light sheer knitted fabric covering for the leg and foot, usually comes in a variety of materials and designs. Also called hose or hosiery Sweetheart Neckline An open, curved neckline with a scalloped edge similar to the top of a heart. Synthetic Man-made materials. ( top of page )   T Taffeta A fine fabric that has a slight ribbed appearance and a crisp feel. Tank Top A short, sleeveless top with wide armholes. Tea Length A hemline ending mid-calf. Three-Quarter-Sleeve Sleeves which reach just below the elbow. Tiered A dress or skirt made up of layers of varying lengths. Train An elongated piece of fabric extending from the bottom of a dress or skirt which sweeps the floor and varies in length. Triacetate A manufactured fiber possessing some similar traits to acetate. Tulle A lightweight, extremely fine, machine-made netting. Tunic A simple slip-on garment made with or without sleeves, usually knee-length or longer, sometimes belted at the waist, and worn as an under or outer garment. ( top of page )   U There are currently no glossary terms. ( top of page )   V V-neck/V-back An open neckline/backline that forms a "V" shape midway down the bodice. Velvet A soft, closely woven fabric that has a short, thick pile. ( top of page )   W Waistline A tailoring term usually describing the line that encircles the narrowest part of the waist or the line above or below this point. Woven Fabric A bodice created by the cross-wrapping of fabric; may be in front or back. ( top of page )   X There are currently no glossary terms ( top of page ) Y There are currently no glossary terms. ( top of page )   Z There are currently no glossary terms. ( top of page )