fashion glossary, a to z fashion glossary fashion glossary, a to z fashion glossary

klever kloggs A to Z fashion glossary

a comprehensive a to z of phrases commonly used in the fashion industry

| a to e | f to o | p to s | t to z |

paisley - fabric in rich, swirling print either woven in or screened. Based on fine Scottish wool fabrics designed in yarn-dyed colors. small glittering disk, similar to a sequin, sewn together with others on fabric to create a fishscale effect.

pareo - a versatile rectangle of printed fabric worn as a shawl, swimsuit cover-up, skirt, dress or scarf. Based on garments worn by natives of Pacific Islands. 

pea coat/pea Jacket - heavy, warm hip-length woolen jacket with double-breasted front and a wide notched collar; originally worn by sailors in the color known as navy blue.

peachskin/peached - fabric that is processed to achieve a surface that has the soft sueded feeling of a fresh peach. 

peasant top - romantic style often characterized with a low neckline, ruffles, or free flowing material.

pedal pushers - straight cut pants, often cuffed, that fall just below the knee.

peek-a-boo - any part of the garment which has been cut out to reveal skin. 

peplum - short flounce attached to a snugly fitting waistline.

picot - a row of small loops woven along the edge of fabric in ribbon or lace for a decorative effect.

pieced - a look created by sewing several pieces of material together to form the garment, much like a quilt.

pigment-dyed - yarns colored with material that is of animal, vegetable or mineral origin before they are spun into fabric. 

pintuck - narrow, sewn-down pleats, usually on the front of a garment.

piqu - (pronounced "pee-kay"). durable, knit or woven fabric with raised lengthwise cords or squares which are part of the weave. 

placket - slit at neckline in a dress, blouse or skirt, usually reinforced with a fold of fabric.

pliss - fabric with a puckered surface. French word meaning gathering, folding, pleating. 

pointelle - an open-hole stitch usually in the shape of a V, flower or diamond.

polo dress - a long or knee-length sheath designed as an extension of the classic, cotton knit polo shirt.

polyester - a wrinkle resistant fabric made from synthetic resin.

poncho - straight piece of fabric, usually waterproof, with an opening in the center for the head. Originally a Latin American garment in colorful woven fabrics that is used as outerwear.

pont knit - a tight knit weave that’s soft with just enough stretch for comfort.

poplin - a finely ribbed fabric, usually made of cotton. 

princess seams - seams that can be found in the front or the back of a garment that create a figure-flattering, form-fitting shape.

pucker knit - a pliss fabric with a crinkled or puckered effect; usually some spandex is required to create this textured, stretchy surface.

puff sleeve - a full sleeve of varying lengths, created by generous gathering around the armhole.

purl stitch - knitting stitch employed to create a ribbed effect.

raffia - a fine palm leaf used for decorative effects. Can be woven into shoes or hats.

raglan sleeve - a sleeve that extends in one piece to the neckline of the garment.

rayon - silky, lustrous material manmade from natural fibers, with excellent drape and dyeability.

ruching - (pronounced "rooshing") shirring or pleating for a textured effect, or an applied border of pleated ribbon for a ruffled effect.

ruffle - strip of cloth, lace or ribbon at the edge of a garment that creates a rippled effect.

saddle stitch - small running stitches visible on the outside of shoes and accessories.

safari style - safari Style Garments adapted from bush jackets worn by hunters on African safaris; including such features as bellows pockets, belting and epaulettes.

sateen - lustrous cotton or rayon, this fabric has a smooth hand with a soft sheen.

satin - a smooth fabric woven with a glossy face and a dull back.

scalloping - edges either cut, knit or crocheted in a tight wave pattern.

scoop/round neck - a low, U-shaped or round neckline.

seersucker - term derived from the Persian "shirushaker", a kind of cloth, literally "milk and sugar". The woven crinkle is produced by alternating slack and tight yarns in the warp.

shantung - a heavy fabric with a rough, slubbed surface usually made of silk or some other soft material (often rayon or cotton).

shawl collar - a one-piece collar that is turned down to form an elegant, continuous line around the back of the neck to the front of a garment.

shift - a straight lined basic dress of the 1960s, hanging away from the body.

shirred waist - a decorative gathering (as of cloth) made by drawing up the material along two or more parallel lines of stitching.

shirring - gathering of material usually used for visual figure enhancement.

shirt dress - a dress cut similar to a man’s shirt with buttons down the front.

shrug - a woman's small, waist-length or shorter jacket.

silk - an extremely soft, natural fabric made from the secretions of silkworms.

skort - shorts that have a front covering to resemble a skirt.

slip dress - bias-cut dress with a fitted top, no waistline and camisole straps.

smock - a dress that has a shoulder yoke with gathering for a full sweep.

spaghetti strap - a thin tubular strap that attaches to the bodice, named for its likeness to a strand of spaghetti.

spandex - an elastic fabric made from a polymer containing polyurethane.

split neck - a round neckline that looks like it has been cut in the center to form a small "V".

square neck - an open-yoke neckline shaped in the form of a half square.

straight legs - pant legs that are cut an equal width from the waist to ankles.

stretch cotton - a cotton fabric usually with spandex or Lycra spandex for greater comfort, a better fit and superior wrinkle resistance.

suede - leather that is buffed on the inside to raise a slight nap giving it a textured appearance.

sweetheart neck - a graceful, open yoke, shaped like the top half of a heart.