A
Accessories
Items used to contribute and compliment an outfit, including jewellery, hats, and handbags.
Activewear
Activewear refers to clothing designed to be worn during sport, such as yoga pants, track pants, swim shorts, and rugby shorts.
Acrylic
A synthetic man-made, light-weight polymer fabric, that tends not to crease.
While not as warm as wool, acrylic is often used as a substitute for wool in jackets, jumpers, tops and scarves.
A-Line
A dress or skirt silhouette that is narrower at the top, flaring gently out to make an ‘A’ shape silhouette. Flattering on most figures, in particular pear shapes.
Apparel
Apparel is a common term used to describe clothing, attire, clothes, and garments.
Argyle
Originally derived from the tartan of Clan Campbell of Argyll in western Scotland, Argyle (the pattern) became fashionable in Great Britain after the WWI, and synonymous with the Duke of Windsor.
The pattern is made of diamonds or lozenges, often overlapping. It is particularly popular for golf clothing.
Asymmetric
An asymmetric design is a garment in which one side is long than the other. Asymmetric cuts are common in necklines, collars, and hems.
Ascot Collar
An ascot is a wide necktie that resembles a small scarf.
It is usually made of narrow silk that gets wider at the ends and is pinned or tacked at the neck.
Aviator Jacket
A leather jacket with a sheepskin collar, originally created for pilots.
Aviator Sunglasses
Sunglasses popularised by pilots, often with reflective lenses, and made from thin steel or titanium.
B
Baby Doll Dress
A short dress historically worn at night but transitioned to day wear.
Often made of light chiffon fabrics and decorated with lace, ribbon, and bows. A baby doll style consists of an empire neckline and micro skirt.
Bandeau
A narrow piece of fabric worn around the bust as a strapless alternative to a bra.
Batwing Sleeve
Also known as a ‘Dolman” or ‘Magyar’ sleeve, the ‘Batwing’ is cut wide at the shoulder with deep armholes that leads to thin tapered wrists, giving it a ‘wing-like’ appearance.
Bell Sleeve
A bell sleeve is fitted at the shoulder and upper arm, and flares out to the wrist like a bell.
Also called ‘Peasant’ sleeves.
Bellow Pocket
A large, pleated pocket applied to the outside of a garment, particularly jackets, cargo pants and skirts.
Often seen on safari-inspired garments.
Belt
A strip of leather or other material worn, typically round the waist, to support or hold in clothes.
Beret
Associated with French culture, a beret is a soft round hat traditionally made of felt or knitted wool.
Bertha Collar
A wide, flat round collar, often of lace or sheer fabric, for a dress with a low neckline and designed to accent a woman’s shoulders in the Victorian era.
Bias
A diagonal cut made on the grain of the fabric at (typically) 45 degrees, allowing the garment to fall and drape with the body’s natural curves.
It was ‘invented’ by Parisian couturier, Madeleine Vionette, in 1927 and became popular in the 1930s.
Bib Necklace
A necklace composed of several strands of beads or gemstones that hang in a bib shape.
Bishop Sleeve
A long sleeve, fuller at the bottom than the top, and gathered into a cuff.
Blazer
A jacket with long sleeves and lapels. Blazers can be worn formally or casually.
Blouse
A loose-fitting women’s shirt. Historically worn by peasants and artists, blouses are now synonymous with a dress shirt.
Body Shape: Apple
Defining Characteristics
- The width of your shoulders is greater than your hips.
- Your chest measurement is at least seven (7) centimetres greater than your hips.
- Hips are narrower than shoulders and are sometimes the narrowest part of your body.
- Your waist is smaller than your bust, or your bust and waist are the same, but larger than your hips, meaning your waist is not well-defined.
Body Shape: Hourglass
Defining Characteristics
- Width of shoulders is the same as your hips.
- Your bust and hip measurements are within 5% of each other.
- Your waist is 24% smaller than your shoulders or chest.
Body Shape: Inverted Triangle
Defining Characteristics
- The width of your shoulders is at least 5% wider than your hips.
- Shoulders are angular and often muscular and strong.
- Your legs are typically slender, muscular, and toned
Body Shape: Pear
Defining Characteristics
- Shoulder width is narrow than hips.
- Waist is narrower than hips, and often well-defined.
- Thighs are often shapely and curvy, and are the widest part of your body
Body Shape: Rectangle
Defining Characteristics
- Shoulder and hips measurements are the same.
- Your bust measurement is usually within 5% of your waist measurement, but it is possible to be a busty Rectangle.
- Tall and lean, with a lack of curves and very little waist definition
Bootleg
A style of jeans or pants that tapers to the knee and then slightly flares to the ankle.
Boucle
Looped or knitted yarn giving a thick knobbly effect, popularised by Coco Chanel.
Breton Top (Mariniere)
The Breton stripe shirt was first introduced in 1858 as the uniform for all French navy seaman in Northern France.
The original design featured 21 stripes, one for each of Napoleon Bonaparte’s victories. The distinctive stripes made it easier to spot wayward sailors who had fallen overboard.
The Mariniere was popularised by Coco Chanel when she added a similar blouse to her collection after spending time in the seaside town of Deauville. However, it was actually her fascination with the collar of the tops, and not the stripes.
Brocade
Originating in the 17th Century, Brocade is Italian for embossed cloth.
Brocade is a rich, ornate fabric with elaborate design, often reversible, and featuring motifs such as flowers, foliage, and scrollwork. It is made with a jacquard loom.
Brogue
A low-heeled, lace-up shoe characterised by multiple-piece leather uppers with a decorative perforated pattern design.
C
Cap Sleeve
A short sleeve extending only a short distance from the shoulder and tapering to nothing under the arm.
Cape
Sleeveless outer garment that fits closely at the neck and hangs from the shoulders.
Capri Pants
Capri pants were introduced by fashion designer Sonja de Lennart in 1948. The name is derived from the Italian Isle of Capri, where the trousers rose to popularity in the late 1950s and early 1960s.
Capri pants are now defined as pants that end above the ankle, which means if you’re looking for capri pants you might see everything from pedal-pushers to clam-diggers to ankle pants.
Capsule Wardrobe
In 1970, Susie Faux, a boutique owner from London, coined the term Capsule Wardrobe. According to Susie, a capsule wardrobe comprises a few essential items that don’t go out of fashion. These staple items can then be enhanced and expanded upon using seasonal purchases.
Building on this concept, Donna Karan released a seven-piece capsule wardrobe in 1985. Her Seven Easy Pieces included,
- A bodysuit
- A skirt
- A tailored jacket
- A dress
- Something leather
- A white shirt
- A cashmere sweater
Cardigan
A knitted, woollen garment with button or zip fastening down front. Worn by men or women and named after James Thomas Brudenell, 7th Earl of Cardigan.
Chelsea Boots
A close-fitting, ankle height slip on boot with elasticated side panels.
Chemise
A loose-fitting undergarment or nightdress, made typically from silk or satin, with a lace trim.
Cigarette Pants
Narrow fitted trousers that taper to the ankle.
Coat
Outwear worn over other garments to provide protection from the elements.
Coats come in varying lengths and styles. Some popular coat styles include Duffel Coats, Swing Coats, Trench Coats, and Great Coats.
Cocktail Dress
Semi-formal attire used to bridge the gap between casual daywear and formal black tie.
Cocktail dresses typically fall at the knee but are sometimes tea-length.
Column Dress
A long, straight cut dress that does not have shaping.
Cowl Neck
A soft draping of fabric, cut so that the fabric hangs in soft folds around the neck or back.
D
Darts
A fold sewn into fabric designed to give garments shape.
Distressed
An area of fabric that has been artificially aged or worn. Commonly used on denim.
Dolman Sleeve
Also known as a ‘Batwing” or ‘Magyar’ sleeve, the ‘Dolman’ is cut wide at the shoulder with deep armholes that leads to thin tapered wrists, giving it a ‘wing-like’ appearance.
Duffel Coat
A heavy woollen medium-length coat with wooden toggle fasteners.
E
Embellishments
A decorative detail or feature added to clothes to make them more attractive. For example, beading, embroidery, or sequins.
Embroidery
A method of decorating fabric with designs stitched in coloured threads.
Empire Line
A dress or top with a fitted bodice ending just below the bust, giving a high-waisted appearance.
Epaulettes
Ornamental shoulder decoration, traditionally used on military uniforms to show rank.
Evening Wear
An outfit usually suitable for formal events.
A long dress for women and a suit or tuxedo for gentlemen.
F
Fabric
Material made by weaving, knitting, crocheting, or bonding yarns or threads to form a textile.
Fedora
A hat with a soft brim and indented crown, creased lengthwise, and pinched near the front on both sides.
Fishnet Stockings
Hosiery with an open, diamond-shaped knit.
Fishtail
The shape of a skirt or dress that hugs and follows the line of hips and thighs and then flares out below the knee.
Fit and Flair
A dress that is fitted through the waist, then flares out at or below the hips.
G
Garment
An article of clothing.
Garter
A band worn around the top of the leg to hold up a stocking.
Geometric
Designs based on simple shapes such as a circle, square, or triangle.
Gingham
Light-weight cotton cloth usually checked in white and a bold colour.
H
Halter-neck
A top for women with a single, sometimes tied strap that passes behind the back of the neck.
Handbag
The first modern day purse was envisioned in 1841 by Samuel Parkinson, who requested a set of travelling cases and trunks for himself, and a case for his wife.
Since then, handbags have evolved into a fashion statement all their own, and come in a variety of styles including, crossbody, clutch, tote, satchel, backpack, shoulder bag, diaper bag, accordion, barrel, and messenger.
Harris tweed
A soft, thick hand-woven cloth made from pure virgin wool, in the Outer Hebrides in Scotland, especially on the island of Lewis and Harris.
Hats
A garment worn on the head.
Haute Couture
Exclusive custom-fitted, high-end fashion constructed by hand.
French for “high dressmaking”.
Hem
The edge of a piece of cloth or garment folded up and sewn down in order to enclose the cut edge so that it cannot unravel.
Hosiery
Tight-fitting knitted garments worn on the feet and legs.
Hounds-tooth
A duotone textile pattern of checks and four-pointed shapes, used particularly for outerwear, jackets, and skirts.
I
Inseam
The seam of pants or shorts that runs from the crotch to the hem.
Leg length is measured based on the inseam.
J
Jacket
A thigh or waist length coat that may is fastened at the front with buttons, a zip, press studs or toggles.
Jacquard Fabric
A fabric where the design of motif is woven into the construction of the weave.
Jewellery
Decorative objects worn on the person or clothes, often made with precious metals such as gold, silver and platinum and gemstones such as diamonds, rubies, and emeralds.
Jersey
A stretchy, fine-knit fabric originally made from wool. However, today it is also made from cotton, cotton blends and synthetic fibres.
Used in the construction of T-shirts, active wear, bedsheets and underwear.
K
Kilt
A one-piece, wrap-around, knee-length skirt, made from woven wool.
Originating in the Scottish Highlands, the kilt has heavy pleats at the sides and back and is made of tartan.
Knee-Length
Refers to a dress or skirt that falls on or around the knees.
Knife – Pleat
A sharp or narrow pleat on a skirt, typically one of many folded in the same direction and overlapping each other.
Knitting
A method for producing cloth from wool or other types of yarn, in which loops or stitches are pulled through each other using two or more needles.
L
Lapel
The folded flaps of cloth on the front of a jacket or coat, below the collar.
Leather
A material produced from the tanned hides and skins of many different animals, but usually cattle, sheep, pig, and goat.
Lingerie
Women’s underwear often made from light-weight materials such as silk, cotton, satin, polyester, and nylon.
Look Book
A publication – for marketing purposes – featuring photographs displaying a fashion designer’s new collection.
Lycra
A man-made stretch fabric made from elastic polyurethane fibre and used especially for close-fitting sports clothing.
M
Mary Jane Shoes
An American name for a flat female shoe with rounded, closed toes and a buckled strap across the instep.
Maxi skirt
The name given to skirt that falls below the middle of the calf but above the ankle.
Merino Wool
Very fine woollen fibre grown by Merino sheep.
It is thinner and softer than regular wool, with a higher weight to warmth ratio, trapping heat efficiently between the fibres.
Micro skirt
A very short skirt that barely covers the buttocks.
Mini skirt
An extremely short miniskirt, generally less than 20cm (8 inches) in length.
Mohair
Yarn made from the hair of the Angora Goat, and notable for its high lustre and sheen.
Monochromatic
Containing or using only one colour.
N
Natural Fibres
Fibres produced from plants or animals that can be used as components of composite materials such as wool, silk, linen, cotton, and hemp.
Neoprene
A man-made synthetic polymer resembling rubber and used for wetsuits.
Nylon
A strong, light-weight elastic synthetic polymer used for clothing and other items, and generally made from petroleum.
P
Pattern
A repeated decorative design that can be printed, stitched, or woven into a fabric.
Plaid
A patterned woollen cloth, such as tartan, with repeat horizontal and vertical blocks of colour.
Pleats
Pleats are used create volume in a garment. The fabric is gathered or folded together, which creates a fuller silhouette.
Pleats not only provide an aesthetic function, but they are also practical, and allow for freedom of movement and airflow within a garment.
Pockets
A bag-like container created in a garment for carrying small items.
Poncho
An outer garment, originating in South America, and made of a thick piece of woollen cloth, with an opening in the middle for the head.
Pret – a – Porter
Designer clothes sold in standard sizes (ready to wear), rather than made to measure.
An inked design applied with pressure to fabrics such as cotton, silk, or polyester.
Pullover
A garment, made of wool, or another warm fabric, which is put on by being pulled over the head. Also known as jumpers or sweaters.
Q
Quilted
Padding technique enclosing a layer of wadding between two pieces of fabric, held in place by sewing a diamond pattern over fabrics.
R
Racer back
A feature usually in tops, where the back is cut away to reveal the shoulder blades. This style is popular in sportswear.
Reversible
A garment that can be worn inside out.
Ribbing
A double-knit pattern that produces a vertical ribbed pattern that is highly stretchable.
Ruche
Fabric gathered and sewn into a tight fold to create a ripple-like effect .
Often used for trim but also used to create draping and texture within the body of the garment.
S
Satin
Satin is a type of fabric that produces a characteristically glossy, smooth, or lustrous material, typically with a glossy top surface and a dull back.
Seam
The join line formed when two pieces of fabric are sewn together.
Sheer
A semi-transparent and flimsy fabric with a very fine knit, often used to produce tights, leggings, and stockings in addition to lingerie and blouses.
Shoes
Footwear worn to protect the feet and made in a range of styles and materials such as leather, plastic, rubber or canvas.
Silhouette
The outline or contour that a garment creates when worn.
Spaghetti Strap
A very tiny shoulder strap used on garments such as camisoles, cocktail dresses, and evening gowns.
Spandex
A man-made stretchy, polyurethane fabric, known for its exceptional elasticity and therefore popular in activewear.
Stole
A band of cloth or a shawl worn around the shoulders and left to fall down the body front. Such as a mink or fox-fur stole.
Stripe
A straight band or line in a differing colour to the material on either side of it.
Suit
A set of clothes (typically for business), cut from the same fabric and designed to be worn together.
T
Tailoring
Production in which garments such as suits are completely original and made to the measurements of the specific client.
Tank Top
A sleeveless t-shirt worn by both men and women.
Tapered Leg
Pant legs that become progressively narrower toward the ankle. Tapered Leg has a relaxed fit through the thigh and knee and tapered from the knee to the ankle.
Tartan
A repeated multi-coloured, square pattern in wool cloth created from the coloured threads used to weave it.
Tea Length
A dress that extends to the end of the shin.
Thong
Underwear with a thin strap that passes between the buttocks and attaches to a band around the hips.
Can also describe sandals attached to the wearer’s foot by a thong positioned inside the big toe.
Tie
A piece of cloth that is tied with a knot at the throat and worn under a shirt collar.
Top Hat
A tall, flat crowned, broad-brimmed hat.
Train
The long, rear part of a skirt or dress that trails behind the wearer.
Trench Coat
The Trench Coat was initially designed for Army Officers, and was adapted for use in the trenches (hence its name) during World War I. Made from waterproof cotton gabardine, it provided much needed respite from the cold and rain.
Traditionally made in olive green or khaki, the Trench Coat now comes in many colours, including black, navy, taupe, beige, blue and pink. This choice of colour makes it suitable for both Ivory and Beige Skin Tones.
Tulle
A form of netting, frequently starched to provide body or stiffness, and often used in veils, ballet costumes or underskirts.
Tunic
A loose-fitting item of clothing that reaches to the waist or knees, originally worn by the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Tuxedo
Formal wear comprising a black, ventless dinner or smoking jacket with silk or satin lapels.
Twin Set
A matching cardigan and short-sleeve top worn together and made from cashmere or wool.
Designed in the 1930s, but made famous in the 1950s by Grace Kelly, Marilyn Monroe and Audrey Hepburn.
U
U – Shaped Neckline
A deeply scooped neckline shaped like letter “U.”
Underwire Bra
Refer to rigid U-shaped rods arcing underneath the base of some bra cups.
Underwires are used for support and structure to enhance the cleavage.
Utilitarian
Clothing that primarily serves a functional purpose, such as providing warmth, protection, or some other practical use.
V
V – Shaped Neckline
A neckline shaped or cut like letter “V.”
Velour
A plush woven fabric resembling velvet, and often used for soft furnishings, casual clothing, and hats.
Velvet
A closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side.
Vent
An opening (or slit) in the fabric that allows for greater movement. Often found in the back seam of a jacket.
Vintage
“Vintage” is a colloquialism commonly used to refer to all old styles of clothing.
A generally accepted industry standard is that items made between 20 and 100 years ago are considered “vintage” if they clearly reflect the styles and trends of the era they represent.
Vogue
The current fashion trends.
W
Waistcoat
A sleeveless, upper-body garment cut at waist level with a vertical, button-fastened front opening worn over a dress shirt and underneath a suit jacket of a three-piece suit.
Weave
The pattern made by the weaving process of interlacing two sets of threads at right angles to each other to create a fabric.
Wide Leg
Refers to style of trouser or jeans, where the leg pants fall straight from the hip. There is no shaping or tapering toward to the knee or ankle.
Wool
Wool fabric is a fabric made from the natural fibres in the fleece of animals.
Most of the time, fleece is made from sheep, but it can also be made from other animals, including goats, camels, and rabbits.
Y
Yarn
Any long, continuous piece of entwined fibre that is used for the production of textiles or knits.
Yoke
A frame or pattern that is fitted at the shoulders or the waist, to emphasise the structure of a garment.
Z
Zip
Two lines of small metal or plastic pieces that slide together to fasten a piece of clothing