- footwear conversion chart
- waist size conversion chart
- the 'fashionary'
- footwear glossary
- handbag glossary
Too many technical fashion terms for you to comprehend? Don't understand what your fashion consultant is saying? Or do you simply want to impress your friends by being a fashion guru?
If so, this "Fashionary" will help you with those tricky terms or solve that mind-teaser: what is the difference between a culotte, a capri and a Bermuda short? Enjoy!
A-line Skirt/Dress -- Usually fitted at the waist and gradually flares to resemble an "A" at the hem. The skirt falls just at the knee or slightly above.
Appliqué -- A design applied to a garment, frequently with a decorative stitch.
Bateau Neckline -- Neckline that is cut in a shallow curve from shoulder to shoulder. Also referred to as a ‘boatneck’.
Bell Sleeve -- Smooth from armhole and then flares to hem edge like a bell.
Bermuda Shorts -- Fall 1 inch above the knee and are straight in their cut. Also know as a short trouser. Hem can be cuffed or uncuffed.
Blazer -- A double or single breasted jacket, resmbles a suit jacket.
Bubble Skirt -- Billowing voluminous skirt that resembles a balloon.
Camisole Neckline -- Top of a dress or top that is cut straight across and above the bust with thin straps over the shoulders. (Mexx and InWear basic cami's are a perfect match)
Cap Sleeve -- A short sleeve that resembles a cap covering the shoulder.
Capri Pant -- Also known as pedal pushers and are designed to end mid-calf or just below the calf.
Chinese Collar -- A collar that stands straight at the neckline about an inch high and opens at the center. Also called a mandarin or cadet collar.
Coat -- An outer garment that has sleeves and covers the body from shoulder down.
Culouttes -- A split or divided pant. To truly be a culoutte is must resemble a skirt.
Dolman Sleeve -- A sleeve with a large armhole that narrows gently toward the cuff.
Drawstring Neckline -- A cord used to gather fullness at neckline. Also called a peasant or gypsy top.
Dropped Shoulder -- An armhole seam that falls over and below the top of the shoulder 2 - 4 inches.
Embroidery -- Decorative stitching superimposed on the fabric with contrasting thread.
Empire Waist -- High waistline just below the bust, and then top or dress falling straight to hem.
Epaulet -- A tab cut as a part of shoulder and sleeve or a separate section; can also be used at hem edge to roll up sleeve.
Eyelet -- Circular and decorative hole edged with close zigzag stitch.
Florentine Neckline -- Extends from shoulder straight across front and back.
Flounce -- Cut from two circles creating a full flare at the hem.
Fly Front Placket -- A placket that completely covers the buttons on a shirt; like a fly would do for a zipper.
French Cuff -- A double-layer cuff with folded back sleeve ends held in place by a cuff link.
French Sleeve -- In the Western world a French sleeve is the same as a Kimono sleeve; but in Japan it indicates a slightly longer sleeve.
Fringe Trim -- Unraveled cloth ends. Seen on hems, shawls and western styles.
Frog Toggle -- Decorative cording attached to front of the garment; one side forms loop buttonholes.
Gauntlet Cuff -- A cuff that is styled after the design of a medieval knight.
Godet -- A long narrow triangular piece of fabric, usually seen along the hem of a skirt.
Grommet -- An eyelet made of metal.
Halter Neckline -- Strap, band or tie that holds backless garment at neck.
Hemline -- Refers to the bottom part of a garment.
Henly Neckline -- An open front, buttoned crew neck; usually with 2 to 3 buttons.
Inseam -- The seam on the inside of the pant leg.
Inverted Pleats -- Pleats that reverse the fold of the box pleat.
Jabot Collar -- (jha-bow) Hanging ruffle attached to the front of a collar.
Jacket -- A short coat, that is lightweight and waist length.
Jeans -- Are trousers traditionally made of denim but may also be made of other fabrics.
Johnny Collar -- Small, flat collar used on shirts and shirtdresses.
Juliet Sleeve -- Long sleeve with puffy top and fitted cuff bottom. Named after Shakespeare’s heroine.
Keyhole Neckline -- A shaped hole opening at front of garment; can be rounded or wedge shaped.
Knife Pleat -- A pleat with a sharp, blade like stitch.
Knitted Cuff -- A cuff with Rib knitting, often seen on a blouson sleeve.
Leggings -- Refers to tight, form-fitting trousers that extend from the waist to the ankles, sometimes referred to as tights.
Mock Turtleneck -- Separate band stitched down to simulate a turtleneck collar.
Outseam -- Opposite of an inseam.
Palazzo Pant -- A wide-legged pant extending from the waist to the floor.
Peplum -- A separate section between the waist and hipline, usually on a jacket. Section can be pleated or gathered to create flare.
Piping -- Narrow cord or bias fabric stitched between a seam; made of matching or contrasting fabric colour.
Plunging Neckline -- a garment that is cut very low at neckline and reveals shoulders, neck, back and sometimes part of the bosom. Also called a Décolleté neckline.
Raglan Sleeve -- Sleeve and shoulder section cut as one piece and attached to garment with an angular seam.
Rise -- the measurement from the crotch to the top of the waistband (either at front or back)
Roll Neckline -- A collar that rolls naturally as in a sweater knit.
Sarong Skirt -- A long piece of fabric that wraps around the body and is often tied at the side.
Scoop Neckline -- Low, rounded curved neckline.
Sheath Dress -- A form-fitting silhouette that follows the natural curves of the body. Like the straight skirt, a sheath dress neither tapers nor has added fullness a the hem.
Straight Skirt -- A straight silhouette, without tapering or gradual fullness.
Tank top -- Also called the American sleeve and is lacking of sleeves. It has a thick band that covers area between neck and shoulder.
Three-quarter Sleeve -- Usually falls halfway between the elbow and the wrist.
Tights -- A fabric that covers tightly from waist to feet.
Turtleneck -- High band collar and fits close to the neck and rolls over.
U-Shaped Neckline -- Deeply scooped neckline shaped like a horseshoe.
Vent -- A slit cut into the rear of a hem to enhance freedom of movement.