A-Line: A dress or skirt silhouette that is narrower at the top and flaring gently wider toward the bottom thereby resembling the letter A.
Allover: An embroidered or printed fabric with a design that covers most of the surface.
Appliqué: A pattern constructed by applying one fabric on top of another.
Acrylic: A manufactured fiber. Has a soft hand and is machine washable and dryable.
Baby Doll: Short mini dress usually has a hem that terminates just below the hip. Can also however be a longer tank (tunic) which hem also terminates just below the hip. The trend right now is to wear these over any denim style bottom.
Blend: A term applied to a yarn or fabric that is made up of more than one fiber.
Boot fit: Denim that is cut bigger at the ankle to fit over boots.
Brazilian cut: Brazilian cut is a term that is used for both the top and bottom of a swim suit that has less coverage than the average suit. When referring to a bottom, it covers more of the butt than a thong, but less than the traditional full back.
Burn out: Pattern effect created on the fabric through the application of a chemical, instead of color. Sulfuric acid is the most common chemical used in this process. Helps to create a translucent/sheer/worn in look.
Capris: Slim- fit pants that range from knee length to lower calf.
Casual Fit: Less form fitting then a fitted garment, but not as loose as a baggy garment.
Cargos: Include anything with side seam pockets, most commonly referring to loose knit pants or shorts.
Cord: A fabric, usually made of cotton that are woven into the fabric to create ridges of yarn on the surface.
Crochet: Needlework done by interlocking looped stitches with a hooked needle.
Crosshatch denim: Denim that shows a grid like pattern in the weave of the jean.
Dip Dying: A process in which a garment is dipped into a dye bath to achieve dye take up only in those areas immersed.
Drop waist: Garments waistline that hits below your natural waistline.
Embossing: A process in which fabrics are engraved with the use of heated rollers under pressure to produce a raised design on the fabric surface.
Embroidery: An embellishment of a fabric or garment in which colored threads are sewn on to the fabrics to create a design. Embroidery may be done by hand or machine.
Eyelet: A type of fabric which contains patterned cut outs.
Fitted: Refers to a fit that conforms to your body. Not as loose as a casual or relaxed fit.
Flocking: A type of raised decoration applied to the surface of a fabric in which an adhesive is printed on the fabric in a specific pattern.
Gauze: A lightweight open texture fabric produced in a plain weave.
Grinding: Grinding is a treatment that is applied to the fabric to give the garment a worn out look.
Halter: A tank that fastens behind the back and neck leaving the back and arms uncovered
Halter bikini top: Features a thicker strap that ties behind the neck for more support than the triangle top. Also, generally has more coverage than a triangle top.
Hand: The way a fabric feels when it is touched.
Hem: The height or level of the bottom edge of a skirt, dress, or coat; a hemline
Hemp: A course, durable fiber obtained from the inner bark of the hemp plant.
Herringbone: A variation on the twill weave construction in which the twill is reversed, or broken, at regular intervals, producing a zigzag effect.
Hipster swim bottom: Provides more coverage than your average bikini bottom. Similar to that of a brief. Great for surfing.
Jersey Fabric: Consistent interloping of yarns stitch to produce a soft fabric.
Knit: Fabrics made of only one set of yarns, all running on the same direction. Usually refers to a shirt.
Linen: A fabric made from linen fibers obtained from inside the woody stem of the flaux plant. Linen fibers are much stronger and lustrous than cotton. Very cool so this is a great fabric for summer.
Lining: A fabric that is used to cover the inside of a garment to provide a finished look.
Mesh: A type of fabric characterized by its "net like" open appearance, and the spaces between the yarns.
Nylon: First synthetic fiber developed. Known for its high strength and resilience, nylon has superior abrasion resistance and high flexibility. Very popular fabric for board shorts for this reason.
Pique: A medium-weight fabric, wither knit or woven, with raised designs.
Pleat: A fold in the fabric allowing for extra room in a garment.
Polyester: Manufactured fiber with high strength, excellent resiliency, and high abrasion resistance. Low absorbency allows the fiber to dry quickly.
Puff Sleeve: Refers to a sleeve that has a pucker at the shoulder seam.
Rayon: A manufactured fiber composed of regenerated cellulose, derived from wood and other vegetable matter.
Raw Edge: Refers to an unfinished hem, for the worn in look.
Reverse Applique: The reverse of applique to create a more dramatic design.
Rip-Stop Nylon: A lightweight, wind resistant, water resistant plain weave fabric.
Rise: The measurement from the base of the crotch in a pair of pants to the top of its waistband.
Rivet: A metal pin with two flat heads used to join or reinforce a connection point.
Sandblasting: A process or treatment in which tiny grains of sand are sprayed on the garment to create a worn in look and a softer hand.
Screen print: Refers to the process in which a garment is printed on.
Sheer: Very thin or transparent
Shelf bra: Refers to a garment that comes with a bra sewn in.
Sherpa: A type of wool that is generally used to line clothing to keep you extra warm.
Shirring: A process in which cloth is gathered on three or more parallel threads to form thin pleats
Slim Fit: Usually refers to tee shirts. They are tighter than your average tee and usually have a softer hand than your average tee.
Smocking: A piece or area of clothing that has been gathered into tight pleats or folds that are held in place with decorative stitching.
Spaghetti Straps: Thin straps on either a dress or a tank.
Stonewash: A process of washing a garment with pumice stones and water to give a worn in appearance and softer hand.
Stretch denim: Stretch denim is created by adding synthetic materials to the denim. A more fitted jean that conforms to your body.
Tankini: Great alternative to a triangle or halter for someone who wants complete coverage. Basically this is a waterproof tank top
Terry Cloth: A typical uncut pile weave fabric. Very absorbent.
Tint: Dye that is added to a garment that is used to either enhance the color of the garment or to alter the look of its natural state.
Tissue Jersey: Thin cotton usually used for tee shirts to create a worn in, vintage feel.
Tonal: Usually refers to that of a stitch, applique or design where the design is the same color as the garment or a slight variation of it.
Tunic: This tank/shirt is longer than your average tank/shirt. Great for layering or to wear over jeans.
Whiskers: Lines that are manually simulated on denim to duplicate the look of wrinkles that occur on an aged pair of jeans.
Woven: Fabric composed of two sets of yarns. One set of yarn runs the length of the garment while the other runs the perpendicular.