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Branna Couture Fashion Glossary

Branna Couture Fashion Glossary: Couture Dresses, Trench Coats & Terms

Explore Branna Couture’s A-Z glossary of fashion terms, from couture dresses to embellished sweaters, trench coats and more. You'll find terms commonly used in Fashion, throughout our store and elsewhere. Keep your fashion vocabulary sharp with this list of commonly used terms!

Note: Each linked term also serves as a search utility, if you're interested in viewing related products on our website, click on the term and you will be redirected to search results within our store for that query. If a term returns with no results, it just means we have yet to use that specific query in our products, and you can surely find similar and/or related products by browsing our categories and menus.

 

A

B

C

D

E

F

G

H

I

J

K

L

M

N

O

P

Q

R

S

T

U

V

W

Y

Z

 

A-Z Fashion Glossary Continued

 

A

A-line – A dress or skirt that gradually widens towards the hem, creating an 'A' shape.

Appliqué – Decorative fabric pieces sewn onto a garment for embellishment.

Asymmetrical – A design with uneven or unbalanced proportions.

B

Ball Gown – A formal, full-skirted dress typically worn for special occasions.

Bespoke – Custom-made clothing tailored specifically for an individual.

Bodycon – A tight-fitting dress that hugs the body's curves.

C

Cape Coat – A hybrid between a cape and a coat, providing warmth while allowing movement.

Chiffon – A lightweight, sheer fabric often used for dresses and blouses.

Corset – A structured, form-fitting top that accentuates the waist.

D

Dolman Sleeve – A sleeve that is wide at the armhole and tapers to the wrist.

Double-Breasted – A coat or blazer with two parallel columns of buttons.

Drape – The way fabric hangs or falls on a garment.

E

Embellishment – Decorative details such as beads, sequins, or embroidery added to clothing.

Empire Waist – A high-waisted design where the waistline is just under the bust.

F

Flare – A silhouette that widens at the bottom, commonly seen in pants and skirts.

Fringe – Threads or fabric strips hanging from a garment for a decorative effect.

G

Gingham – A checkered fabric pattern often in white and another color.

Godet – A triangular fabric insert that adds volume to a skirt or dress.

H

Halter Neck – A sleeveless top or dress with straps that wrap around the neck.

High-Low Hem – A hemline that is shorter in the front and longer in the back.

I

Inseam – The length from the crotch to the hem of pants or shorts.

Iridescent – A fabric that changes color depending on the angle of light.

J

Jersey – A soft, stretchy fabric commonly used for t-shirts and dresses.

Jumpsuit – A one-piece garment that covers both the torso and legs.

K

Kimono Sleeve – A wide sleeve that extends from the bodice without a shoulder seam.

Knife Pleat – A sharp, narrow pleat running in one direction.

L

Lapel – The folded part of a blazer or coat near the neckline.

Linen – A breathable, lightweight fabric made from flax fibers.

M

Maxi Dress – A long, flowing dress reaching the ankles.

Midi Dress – A dress that falls between the knee and ankle.

N

Neoprene – A thick, spongy fabric often used in structured fashion pieces.

Notched Collar – A type of lapel with a visible indentation.

O

Off-the-Shoulder – A neckline style that exposes the shoulders.

Ombre – A color gradient effect transitioning from light to dark or vice versa.

P

Peplum – A short, flared fabric layer attached at the waist of a dress or top.

Pintuck – Small, sewn pleats used for texture and detail.

Q

Quilted – A fabric texture with stitched patterns for added warmth and style.

R

Ruching – Gathered fabric that creates texture and stretch.

Raw Hem – An unfinished, frayed edge on a garment.

S

Sheath Dress – A slim-fitting dress with a straight cut.

Skater Dress – A dress with a fitted top and flared skirt.

T

Tulle – A fine, mesh-like fabric used for tutus and evening wear.

Trench Coat – A classic, belted coat with a water-resistant finish.

U

Utility Jacket – A casual, functional jacket often with multiple pockets.

Upcycled Fashion – Clothing made from repurposed materials.

V

Velvet – A plush, soft fabric with a luxurious feel.

V-Neck – A neckline shaped like the letter 'V'.

W

Wrap Dress – A dress that wraps around and ties at the waist.

Wool Blend – A mix of wool with other fibers for durability and comfort.

X

X-Back – A crisscross strap design on the back of a garment.

Y

Yoke – A panel on the upper part of a garment, often seen on shirts and skirts.

Z

Zipper Closure – A fastening method using a metal or plastic zipper.

Zigzag Stitch – A decorative or functional sewing pattern that resembles a zigzag.