Do you know what’s the fashion term for asymmetrical skirts? And can you really get through a conversation about culottes, gaucho pants or dirndl skirts without secretly wondering what they actually mean? So if you want to earn some serious style stripes (maybe even claim fashion-reporter-like knowledge), then this A-Z guide to fashion terms is the only dictionary you need! (Also, don’t forget to check out the first edition.)
A
Angarakha: Not to be used interchangeably with an anarkali, this is a kurta style that is tied in front with an inner flap covering the chest.
B
Bandeau: A band-like covering for the breast for a tube top.
C
Culottes: Women’s trousers that are usually knee length or calf length. Though they have a full cut to resemble a skirt, they are actually pants. Chanderi: Finely textured hand woven fabric from Chanderi in Madhya Pradesh. The term has been particularly popularised by award winning designer Rahul Mishra.
Chambray: A fine lightweight fabric woven with white threads across a coloured warp.
D
Dirndl skirt: A full, wide skirt with a tight waistband. Very ’50s chic, if you ask us.
D’Orsay Heels: A shoe where the upper portion is cut away on either or both sides. It can be in the form of pumps or peep toes.
E
Epaulettes: A shoulder adornment, like the decorations that adorn the shoulder of military uniforms or trench coats.
Espadrille: Casual shoes normally made of cotton or canvas with a jute rope sole. TOMS are a popular example.
F
Fedora: A soft felt hat with a fairly low crown creased lengthwise and a brim that can be turned up or down.
Fluted skirt : It’s like a pencil skirt with a vintage flare at the bottom.
G
Gaucho Pants: Wide, calf-length trousers fashioned after trousers worn by South American gauchos (cowboys). They are usually high waist and loosely taper from the thigh until a few inches below the knee.
H
Herringbone: A V-shaped weave that mimics the skeleton of a herringbone fish as is popularly seen in tweed and wool outerwear.
I
Ikat: An Indonesian fabric decorative technique in which warp or weft threads, or both, are tie-dyed before weaving.
J
Jamdani: A silk fabric, with a woven pattern of sprigs of flowers.
K
Knife Pleats: Very sharp and narrow pleats often spotted on skirts and dresses. Not unlike those seen on school uniforms.
L
Lamé: This is a type of fabric woven or knit with thin ribbons of metallic yarns
M
Mandarin Collar: Oriental in origin, this a short unfolded stand-up collar style and is commonly known as the Chinese collar.
Image courtesy: Everett Collection / Shutterstock.com
Maillot: It is a woman’s one-piece swimsuit, also known as a tank suit.
Mullet: An asymmetrical hemline where the hem that is higher in the front, or side, than in the back.
N
Nautical Stripes: Also known as Breton stripes, they were introduced by Coco Chanel after being inspired by the uniform of the French navy.
O
Ombré: A gradual change of one colour from dark to light or vice versa.
P
Pleather: A fabric that imitates leather but is made from polyurethane.
Q
Quilt: To sew several layers of fabric together with diamond or decorative stitching to articulate sections or designs. This stitch is usually used for jackets and vests.
R
Raglan sleeves: A sleeve style where a continuous piece of fabric continues to the neck without a shoulder seam. This is commonly found in sporty luxe clothing.
Romper: A short one-piece garment with the lower part shaped like bloomers.
S
Sheath dress: A well-fitted, figure hugging dress with a defined waist.
Skort: Shorts whose front resembles a skirt.
Image courtesy: bebopclothing.com
T
Tankini: A two-piece bathing suit with the top resembling a tank top.
U
Unitard: A skin-tight garment that starts at the neck and ends at the ankle.
V
Vent: A slash in back of garments, as seen in blazers. Typically in the centre or paired at the sides.
Velveteen: Velveteen is essentially “faux velvet” usually made from cotton
Vamp: In shoes, the front of the upper section, which covers the toe and instep.
Valise: An over-night-sized piece of luggage, carried by hand.
W
Wristlet: A small clutch bag with an attached loop of fabric which can be worn around the carrier’s wrist.
X
X-Ray Fabrics: Sheer fabrics with a translucent effect.
Y
Yoke: A fitted area of fabric along the front and back of the shoulders or at the top of a skirt.
Z
Zardozi: A type of embroidery work that involves making elaborate designs using gold and silver threads.
Image courtesy: pinterest.com
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