The Fashion Glossary

Here is a list of the top used terminology that we use in Fashion, that you should know when discussing or communicating about your garments or for your brand:

• Accessories - fashionable items that support an outfit, i.e. bags, shoes, belts glasses etc.

• Aesthetic - A brands collective of details/colour/fabric/silhouette that they use cohesively across all products, that is unique to them only.. When a client sees a garment they know it from your brand based off the design aesthetic.

• Apparel - another term for clothing, or garment.

• Assymetric - One side being different to the other.

• Baste Stitch - A loose hand sewn line to hold two pieces of fabric together (often supported by pins) so you can sew it neatly on top with the sewing machine and it doesn't move.

• "On the Bias" or Bias - the diagonal direction of a woven fabric; usually stretch.

• CAD - Computer Aided Design.

• Capsule Collection - A small range of outfits, designed from a concept and aesthetic.

• Conceptual - the idea or the story behind the design or collection.

• Contemporary - Design influenced by current time period.

• Dart - A sewing technique used to make a garment fit around the curves of the body.

• Domestic Machine - a small machine designed for hobby sewers, or amateurs for small lightweight sewing tasks.

• Ease - the amount of room added additional to the body measurement, when pattern cutting so the client can move in a non stretch garment comfortably.

• Embellishments - Ornament like pieces that add luxury to a garment, i.e. beading, Swarovski Crytals, hot fix etc.

• Embroidery - a decorative stitch and/or a stitch used to very quickly to decorate fabric i.e adding text.

• Fashion Illustration - A drawing of a model wearing your garment or outfit.

• Floral - Any fabric with a print.

• Garment - Piece of clothing.

• Geometric - Designs influenced by shapes.

• Grainline - Direction of Fabric

• Hemline - The bottom of a garment or opening (sleeve).

• Industrial Machine - designed for sewing heavy weight garments, at a higher and quicker quality.

• Inseam - the measurement from the crotch to the ankle.

• Interfacing - Thin fabric used to add stucture to garment, patch holes and minimise fabric from fraying.

• Markup - Percent added to Cost of Goods = RRP

• Margin - (Sales - Cost of Goods) = Profit Margin

• Monochrome - Black and White or All one colour.

• MOQ - Minimum Order Quantity.

• Niche - Your gap in the market; a specialised group of people.

• Opaque - Non-Transparent.

• Patternmaster - the main tool used by pattern cutters.

• Placket - A sewing technique used usually on non-stretch garments for ease of access. Usually found on necklines or sleeves.

• Princess Line - A seam that continues straight from the shoulder to the Hem.

• RTW - Ready to Wear.

• Symmetric - Both sides of the garment are the same, mirrored.

• Tape measure - tool used to take measurements.

• Tech. Pack/Technical Pack - A collection of specification sheets (the blue print for your garment) you send to manufacturer together your garment made accurately and quickly.

• Technical Flats - A flat 2-Dimensional drawing or a garment to communicate design details and stitching. Not the same as a Fashion Illustration.

• Toile - the industry word for a prototype.

• Tailor - Someone who makes Suits and Smartwear, or ammends Ready-To-Wear garments to fit the client.

• USP - Unique Selling Point. What is unique about your brand vs. others.