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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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Flounce

A dress or skirt with a ruffle at the hemline, or one with multiple ruffled layers.

Georgette

A sheer, light-weight, fabric with a rough surface.

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.

Iridescent

A shimmery fabric effect in which two different colors reflect in the light.

Jersey

A term referring to knitted fabrics.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Rayon

A man-made fiber.

Ribbon

A flat, long, narrow strip of fabric used as a decorative piece.

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.

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.

Sweetheart Neckline

An open, curved neckline with a scalloped edge similar to the top of a heart.

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.

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.

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.