KOBI’s Intro to Fashion Terminology (version 2.1)
Bengal
with shadow
Striped Patterns
Pencil Striped
Stripes are thin but spaced far apart
Also known as pin striped
Light background is suitable for shirts and a dark background for suits
Candy Striped
Thick coloured stripes of the same width
One of the stripe colours must be white
Typically used in women’s fashion
Ticking
The more complicated striped patterns
Besides shirts, bolder versions are also used as furniture upholstery
Hairline Striped
Very thin stripes
They look like a solid colour from a distance
A typical shirt fabric
Prince of Wales Weave
A pattern popularized by Edward 8 while he was Prince of Wales.
Used mainly for suits
also know as Glen (Urquhart) Plaid
Gingham
A checker pattern of small squares made up of the light and dark shades of one colour
commonly used as tablecloths, kitchen attire and kindergarten uniforms
Window Pane
A popular design for trench coats and other waterproof attire.
Tattersall
Two window panes overlapped. The design originated from horse blankets at the Tattersall Horse auction
It was first worn as hunting attire, but is now a popular design for shirts
Checkered Patterns
Shepherd’s Check
Plaid
A complex but subtle pattern using sets of complimentary colours.
The squares are much smaller than lumberjack
Ideal for casual evening shirts
Burberry
Checkered
When all else fails, its just called checkered
Tartan / Plaid Patterns
Lumberjack Plaid
Pronounced as ‘plad’
A common pattern for flannel shirts; black must be one to the two colours
The poor man’s tartan; worn by lumberjacks and farmers at work
Buffalo Check
Madras-type
Tartan
Scottish fabric with intricate and colourful designs, think kilts
vs lumberjack – there is less black
nowadays more likely to be used for smaller items like scarves
Miscellaneous Patterns
Paisley
A traditional Persian motif
used commonly for ties, and the occasional shirt
Houndstooth
There are two versions, the pinwheel type (eg. red) and the linear type (eg. black)
More typically used in ladies fashion
Herringbone
A conservative weave for woolen fabrics
Commonly used for sports jackets
Argyle
A pattern originally from Argyll Scotland
commonly used in knitwear and socks
Panama Wave
Feminine Patterns
Polka
Dot pattern. Polka is a 19th Century Czech dance which was popular at the same time as this pattern
Tweed
A very coarse weave of two or more colours
A staple of Chanel
Zig Zag
Any wavy pattern of straight lines
If there are individual V elements, it is called Chevron
Animal Prints
Animal hides printed on man-made fur like materials
Chevron
The Basic Dress Types
A-Line
A dress in the shape of the
capital letter ‘A’ – the standard
dress shape
Shift
A simple dress design with a
relatively straight cut and
no waist
Empire
A high waist dress where the
skirt begins immediately
under the bust
Tent
A simple dress that starts
widening from above the bust
Sheath
A tapered dress tailored to fit
the body, like a sheath to a
dagger
Jumpsuit
A dress where the skirt is
replaced by pants
Dress Types by Length
Maxi
Any dress that reaches down to the ankles.
There is usually a slit.
Midi
Any dress that reaches past
the knees. Also called a Tea
Dress
Mini
Any dress where the hem line is above the
knees.
Knee-Length
The ‘default’ length for a
dress, so this is not a real dress
name
Wrap
A dress that is worn like a bath
robe and fastened or tied
on one side
Skaters
A short dress that allows for
the high degree of movement of
figure skaters and
cheerleaders
Other Common Dress Types 1
Babydoll
A short flimsy dress similar in
design to a negligee. The
‘waist’ is above the bust.
Cami
Similar to a Babydoll, but not as loose
fitting. Cami is short for Camisole.
Shirt
Any dress that is buttoned in
front. Does not need to look like a shirt.
Trench
A double breasted dress inspired by the trench coat, a cousin of the
wrap and shirt dresses
Bodycon
A dress that accentuates the body’s contours
by using tight fitting stretch
material
Sun
A light knee-lengthed dress
worn in Summer, often with floral
Cheongsam
A Chinese version of the
Sheath, a mandarin collar does away with
the zip
Tunic
Generic name for any loose
dress that covers the arms and shoulders
Strapless
A dress that starts just
above the bust, accentuating
the bare shoulders
Pinafore
To people with poor English
this is the Apron Dress.
Other Common Dress Types 2
Dungaree
Also known as the overall
dress.
A top is often worn inside the dress
Halter
A low back dress where
the straps are tied together
behind the neck
Dress Shoulder Features
Bardot
A strapless dress that has sleeves.
Named after Bridget Bardot. Also called the off-shoulder.
1 Shoulder
A lop-sided dress held up
on only one side
Cold Shoulder
A modern version of the Bardot with
shoulder straps
Choker
A dress where a part of the dress goes around the
neck
Spaghetti Strap
A dress that features the shoulders by
using very thin straps
Tank Strap
A dress where the top looks like a tank top because of its
wide straps
V-Neck
A V shaped neckline. Can be shallow, deep or
plunging.
Ruffles
A dress that uses frilly wavy
material as a decorative
feature
Blouson
A dress where part of the top
is gathered above the waist
Dress Design Features
Peplum
An ensemble where the top flairs open to
accentuate the waist
Bustier Dress
A dress where the top is shaped
like a bustier, with cups
accentuating the breasts
Corset Dress
A stiffer version of the bustier
that also shapes the waist. Also whenever the
dress is fastened using a lattice of string.
Tube
A strapless sleeveless bodycon,
essentially a single tube of
stretch material
Keyhole
A version of the choker or halter where
there is a hole in the chest
area
Pouf
Any dress where the skirt has a concave
shape
Dress Skirt Features
Trumpet
Any dress where the hem
flairs a little
Mullet
A dress where the skirt is
longer at the back than it is in
front
Mermaid
A Maxi where the flair of the skirt is lowered from the waist to the knees
Tulip
A wrap dress where the
skirt looks like an upside down tulip
Wiggle
A dress with a very narrow
skirt. Also called the Pegged
Dress.
Examples of Dress Names
Empire Babydoll
Bardot Tent
Spaghetti V-Neck Ruffled
Spaghetti Sheath
A-Line Maxi
Keyhole Choker Halter
A.K.A. the princess dress
Collars
Peter Pan Bertha Chelsea Sailor BowMandarin
Palazzo CulottesCropped Jodhpurs Pantaloon or Harem
Drain or
Stove pipeFlare or
Bell bottoms
Trousers
Skinny
Panel / Gored
Circle
Knife Pleat Box Pleat
Tulle / TutuBubble Draped
PencilStraight
Accordion
Skirts
Wrap
Godet
Skorts
Layered
A-Line
Cone/Prism Heel
Wedge Heel Stilettos Heel
Block Heel
Platform T-Strap
Ankle Strap
Slingback
Ladies Shoes: Component Characteristics
Peep Toe
Spool Heel
Puppy Heel
Open Toe
Kitten
Pump / Court Shoe
D’orsay
Mule
Scarpin
Ladies Shoes: Heels
This is the most common shoe type and covers any shoe that is closed toe with high heels
This is a specific pump which has stiletto heels and a pointed toe
the standard night shoe
This is a specific pump which has mini stiletto heels
the standard day shoe
A casual shoe with the back missing
Any shoe with the middle portion of the sides missing
Even with open toes its still a mule
Open Toe Mule
Mary Janes
Loafer
Ladies Shoes: Flats
MoccasinsBallet Flats
A rounded toe shoe with no heel
Very similar in appearance to what ballerina’s wear
Dock-siders
A traditional shoe from the Catalonia region of Spain
they have a canvas body in two sections and a light sole of jute rope
Espadrilles
A shoe with rounded toe and straps in front of the ankle
Traditionally a children’s design
A shoe made from suede that has a rounded toe with visible stitching
based on native American designs
The ladies version of a basic men’s slip on design
A shoe that is traditionally worn while yachting
Features square leather laces in two rows
Platform Sandals
Pencil Heel Sandals
Gladiators
Evening Sandal
Thong
Casual Sandal
A classy sandal married with the Stiletto heel
Sandals with the sole made from the same compressed jute rope used in espadrilles
Anything resembling the foot wear of gladiators
usually features straps with studs
Footwear based on an Indian design
typically adorned with shiny beads, crystals or bits of metal.
Sandal with heel
Acceptable footwear to dinner events that are not black tie
Flat sandal with thicker straps
Normally only worn during the day
Ladies Shoes: Sandals
Clog
Oxfords
Ankle Boot / Bootie
Lita Bootie
Ladies Shoes: Booties
Chelsea Boot
Mary Jane
Basic Mary Janes plus heels
A shoe that is like a boot but not quite there yet
A Chelsea uses an elastic band instead of a zip or laces
A platform bootie with block heel and laces A women’s version of
the popular men’s wingtip design
A special type of platform mule from Holland with wooden sole and heel
Flap
SaddleTote
(Grace) Kelly
Crossbody
Ladies Bags Part I
BowlerMessenger
EnvelopeClutch
SatchelBucket
Backpack
Hobo
Barrel or Log Doctor’s
Drawstring Duffle Drawstring Duffle
Ladies Bags Part II
Speedy (Louis Vitton)Birkin (Hermes)
Baguette (Fendi)
Bao Bao (Issey Miyake)
Lady (Dior) Quilted 2.55 (Chanel)
Muse (YSL) Boston (Gucci) MV515 (Prada)
Ladies Bags: Label Signatures