well not just prom dresses

Dress Term Glossary
Definition of Dress Fashion Terms.

3/4 Sleeve: Sleeve with a length between the wrist and the elbow	3/4 Sleeve	A-line	Above the Knee	Ankle Length
A-line: A-Line dress that mimics shape of an "A" from the waist
Above the Knee Length: Hemline reaches just to just above the knee allowing the knees to be shown.
Ankle Length: Hemline reaches just to the ankles showing the foot and shoe
Applique: Decorative fabric shape applied to another fabric as an embellishment	Applique	Asymmetrical	Babydoll	Backless
Asymmetrical: Uneven or unbalanced element in a dress such as an off-balance hem or single sleeve
Babydoll Silhouette: Form fitting at top with increase in volume directly below bust
Backless: Dress designed to expose the back of the wearer.
Ball Gown: Fitted bodice with a very full skirt; similar to the "fairytale" image	Ball Gown	Ballerina	Bandage	Bandeau Neck
Ballerina Silhouette: Form fitting to waist with full skirt; often full length and made of tulle
Bandage: A fitted dress made out of stretchy material shaped to appear wrapped around the body in layers
Bandeau Neck: Often sleeveless top that is tight fitting directly along bust line; may feature a knot or twist in front
Banding: Bands of fabric or ribbons around the dress	Banding	Basque Waistline	Bateau Neck	Beaded
Basque Waistline: Waistline that dips in the middle; often several inches below the natural waist
Bateau Neck: Neckline wide enough to show off clavicles that is often straight across from one shoulder to the other
Beaded: Small beads sewn onto the dress
Bell Sleeves: Long sleeves that mimic shape of a bell; they are wider at the wrist than the shoulder	Bell Sleeves	Belted	Bishop Sleeve	Bateau Neck
Belted: Dress features a belt
Bishop Sleeve: Long sleeve that is wider at the bottom than the shoulder and gathered at the cuff
Boat Neck: Neckline wide enough to show off clavicles that is often straight across from one shoulder to the other
Blouson: Gently gathered waistline at or below the natural waste	Blouson	Bodycon	Bow	Brush Train
Bodycon: Stands for body conforming. It is a short fitted dress made of a stretchy material.
Bow: Dress features fabric tied in a bow; often at the back of dress
Brush Train: Train that sweeps to the floor from the waist (also known as a sweep train)
Brocade: Woven fabric often with silver or gold threads; has a pattern similar to paisley	Brocade	Bubble Dress	Capelet	Cap Sleeves
Bubble Dress: Fitted bodice with full, bubble-shaped skirt that can be either short or long
Capelet: Small cape which covers the shoulders.  They extend from the mid back to the waist
Cap Sleeves: Very short sleeve that covers the shoulder but does not extend down the upper arm
Cathedral Train: The most formal style of train; extends approximately 7 feet behind the gown	Cathedral Train	Chapel Train	Charmeuse	Chiffon
Chapel Train: Train that extends 4 feet behind the gown
Charmeuse: Lightweight woven fabric with a satin-like reflective surface on one side and dull, matte finish on the other
Chiffon: Delicately floaty and sheer fabric with a soft finish
Cocktail Length: Hemline reaches to mid-thigh	Cocktail Length	Color Blocking	Column Silhouette	Corseted
Color Blocking: Placing strategicially contrasting yet complimentary bold and bright colors together to create a unique look
Column Silhouette: Straight, narrow slim fit without waistline (Also known as Sheath Silhouette)
Corseted: Form-fitting bodice often with lacing up the front or back
Cotton: Opaque, matte fabric that offers a more casual appearance	Cotton	Court Train	Cowl Neck	Crepe
Court Train: A train a little longer than a sweep train, usually about three feet long
Cowl Neck: Neckline that drapes or folds in the front
Crepe: Gauzy fabric with a crimped or crinkly appearance
Crinkled: Fabric that has a crimped and folded appearance	Crinkled	Crumb Catcher	Crystal	Cutout
Crumb-Catcher Neck: Neckline that extends away from the body at the bust line
Crystal: Clear or iridescent reflective elements or gemstones
Cutout: Holes in certain areas of the dress; usually located at the neck, back or sides
Dirndl Waistline: The appearance of lacing or brocade in the front of the dress; similar to German-inspired styles	Dirndl Waistline	Dolman Sleeve	Draped	Dropped Waistline
Dolman Sleeve: Draped sleeve with large arm hole and tight cuff; cape like in appearance
Draped: Fabric that is intended to hang in folds
Dropped Waistline: Straight waistline that usually starts at hip level below the natural waist
Embroidered: Designs stitched into fabric by hand or machine	Embroidered	Empire Waistline	Faille	Feather
Empire Waistline: Waistline located directly below the bust with fabric flaring beneath
Faille: Glossy draping fabric with soft ribs and a textured feel
Feather: Dress features feathers
Fishtail Silhouette: Body hugging from the top through the hip with flare at or just below the knee (Also known as Mermaid Silhouette and Trumpet Silhouette)	Fishtail Silhouette	Fitted	Floor Length	Flowy
Fitted: Hugs the body
Floor Length: Hemline reaches from 1/2 to 1 inch from floor
Flowy: Hangs in drapes or folds with fabric that flows
Full Length: Hemline appears to touch the floor	Full Length	Gathered	Georgette	Goddess
Gathered: Fabric gathered or pulled together
Georgette: Similar to crepe with a matte and slinky surface
Goddess: Similar to a toga; often a one-shouldered draped style
Grecian: Similar to the goddess style; often featured in white	Grecian	Halter	Handkerchief	High Neck
Halter: Top with straps that connect behind the neck, often with an open back
Handkerchief Hem: Hemline that ends in triangular points providing a somewhat jagged appearance.
High Neck: Neckline reaches to neck
High Low Hem: Hemline is shorter in one area of dress than another; often longer in the back or sides	High Low Hem	Illusion	Jacquard	Jersey
Illusion: Using color combinations or sheer material to create an optical illusion.  Such as straplessness or a thinner waist
Jacquard: A process of weaving fabric making possible for an unlimited varieties of pattern weaving
Jersey: Stretchy and soft matte fabric that resists wrinkles
Jeweled Neck: Neckline with gems or jewels along the front; jewels are often in a band along the top that functions as a necklace	Jeweled Neck	Jumper	Jumpsuit	Keyhole
Jumper: Sleeveless, collarless dress designed to be worn over a shirt, sweater or blouse
Jumpsuit: A long dress with legs replacing the skirt
Keyhole: A cut-out in the fabric that is often at the decolletage or back
Knee Length: Hemline that hits just at or above the kneecap	Knee Length	Knit	Lace	Lace-Up Back
Knit: Often a chunky-style fabric; can also refer to the way a fabric is created
Lace: Fabric with open hole design
Lace-Up Back: Ties that weave up the back of the dress
Linen: Lightweight woven natural fabric, occasionally somewhat sheer; resists heat	Linen	Long Sleeves	Mandarin Collar	Maxi Dress
Long Sleeves: Sleeves that extend to or below the wrists
Mandarin Collar: Asian-inspired collar that reaches slightly above neck and often features an adornment or button for visual appeal
Maxi Dress: Longer dress with an ankle or floor length hemline
Mermaid Silhouette: Body hugging from the top through the hip with flare at or just below the knee (Also known as Fishtail Silhouette and Trumpet Silhouette)	Mermaid	Mesh	Metallic	Midi Dress
Mesh: Netting or a sheer see through material usually used as a cutout.
Metallic: Iridescent or shimmery in appearance
Midi Dress: Dress with a hemline that hits between the knee and ankle
Mini Dress: Dress with hemline that hits at mid-thigh or above	Mini Dress	Modest	Notched Collar	Natural Waistline
Modest: Offering more conservative coverage.  Usually covering chest, back and legs to at least the knee areas.
Notched Collar: A narrow V-shaped groove inside another type of neckline such as scooped or squared.
Natural Waistline: Hits at the natural waist
Off Shoulder: Straps or sleeves that begin lower on the arm below the shoulder line	Off Shoulder	One Shoulder	Open Back	Organdy
One Shoulder: Strap or sleeve covers only one shoulder and/or arm
Open Back: Dress with an absence of fabric covering the back
Organdy: Sheer, lightweight fabric that is often stiff and crisp in appearance
Organza: Sheer, transparent fabric with or without metallic sheen	Organza	Overlay	Pearls	Pencil
Overlay: Covering the surface of the material with lace, chiffon or another fabric
Pearls: Iridescent round beads in white or cream
Pencil Skirt: Similar to an A-Line skirt except it drops straight down or is angled slightly inward
Peplum: A short, flared strip of fabric attacked to the waist of the wearer's dress.	Peplum	Piping	Placket	Pleated
Piping: Embellished trim lining the seams of the dress; often in a contrasting color
Placket: An opening in dress which makes it easier to clothes or remove the dress.
Pleated: Sharp vertical folds in fabric designed to hold their shape
Pleather: (plastic leather) also known as faux leather is a plastic fabric with a leathery appearance.	Pleather	Plunging Neck	Polyester	Portrait Neck
Plunging Neck: Neckline that reveals cleavage, often deep enough to show breastbone
Polyester: Synthetic fabric; often used to look like chiffon but much less fragile and expensive
Portrait Neck: Neckline that wraps around the body leaving the shoulders bare
Princess Seams: Two parallel seams that run vertically down front of dress; works to create height and length.  Also known as no waistline.	Princess Seams	Puff Sleeves	Queen Anne Neck	Racer Back
Puff Sleeves: Long or short sleeves with volume or flare
Queen Anne Neck: Neckline that is raised and free-standing in the back and open in the front to reveal the neck and clavicles
Racerback: A T-shaped back which exposes most of the shoulder blades
Raglan Sleeve: A sleeve extending in one piece fully to the collar.  It leaves a diagonal seam from underarm to collarbone giving the dress or top an undefined look.	Raglan Sleeve	Rayon	Rhinestone	Ribbon
Rayon: Synthetic fabric often used for its draping qualities and provides a good alternative to silk
Rhinestone: Sparkling clear stones designed to look like diamonds
Ribbon: A ribbon often made of satin or lace
Romper: A skirt dress with legs replacing the skirt	Romper	Ruched	Ruffles	Sabrina Neck
Ruched: Tight decorative gathers in the fabric
Ruffles: Billowing fabric that is gathered to create ruffles
Sabrina Neck: Similar to a bateau neckline but features a deeper scoop with more curvature
Sash: A separate strip of fabric added as a detail to the gown	Sash	Sateen	Satin	Scalloped
Sateen: Cotton fabric with a glossy surface that is woven to appear like silk
Satin: Smooth fabric with excellent draping qualities; glossy on one side and matte on the other
Scalloped: Semi-circular fablic sewn into the edges of a dress usually around the neckline
Scoop Neck: Neckline that is shaped like the letter "U"	Scoop Neck	Scuba Knit	Semi Cathedral	Sequined
Scuba Knit: A stretchy fabric similar to ponte knit but with more drape.  It is made mostly of polyester which a small amount of lycra (under 5%)
Semi Cathedral Train: Train that extends 5 to 6 feet behind the gown
Sequined: Tiny reflective flat disks that are sewn or glued to fabric
Sheer: Fabric that is able to be seen through; often used for top layers of gowns	Sheer	Sheath Silhouette	Shift Dress	Shirred
Sheath Silhouette: Straight, narrow slim fit without waistline (Also known as Column Silhouette)
Shift Dress: A short sleeveless princess seams dress usually with a boat neckline which hangs loosely from the shoulders
Shirred: Fabric is gathered to make a horizontal pattern
Short Sleeves: Sleeves that stop somewhere above the elbow	Short Sleeves	Silk	Silk Shantung	Skater
Silk: Slinky, glossy fabric of natural fibers; the most expensive of gown fabrics
Silk Shantung: Silk woven textured "nubby" fabric that is heavy enough to hold shape and structure
Skater Dress: A short dress with a fitted bodice and an A-Line skirt. It usually has a scooped neckline but not always. The dress is designed to be similar to the costumes that skates wear.
Sleeveless: Top with no sleeve	Sleeveless	Slit	Spaghetti Strap	Square Neck
Slit: A vertical cut in fabric of the skirt to reveal the leg
Spaghetti Strap: Thin straps similar to thickness of spaghetti that may attach to the front and back of the dress
Square Neck: Neckline that is shaped as a square
Strapless: Neckline that has no sleeves or straps	Strapless	Stretchy	Sundress	Surplice
Stretchy: Fabric that stretches with movement for comfort
Sundress: Sleeveless, collarless dress
Surplice: One side of the fabric folds over the other; similar to a robe closure
Sweep Train: Train that sweeps to the floor from the waist (also known as a brush train)	Sweep Train	Sweetheart	Taffeta	Tank
Sweetheart Neckline: Neckline shaped like the top of a heart with the "V" situated between the breasts
Taffeta: Crisp, medium-weight fabric that is used to add fullness, volume and height
Tank: Sleeveless garment with thicker straps that often showcases a scoop or square neck
Tea Length: Hemline that hits just below the calf or 4 inches above the ankle	Tea Length	Thigh Length	Tiered	Triacetate
Thigh Length: Hemline that hits at mid-thigh.  It's longer than a minidress.
Tiered: Sewn with multiple layers
Triacetate: Used to create many fabrics due to its resiliency and stretchiness
Trumpet Silhouette: Body hugging from the top through the hip with flare at or just below the knee (Also known as Mermaid Silhouette and Fishtail Silhouette)	Trumpet	Tulle	Turtleneck	Tweed
Tulle: Lightweight, fine netting often stiffened to create fullness in skirts; fabric that is most used for ballet tutus
Turtleneck: A high neck which reaches almost to the chin.
Tweed: A rough, unfinished, closely woven woolen fabric, with an open, soft, flexible texture.
Vintage: A style from previous eras; may be authentically old or styled to look as such	Vintage	V-Neck	Velvet	Wrap
V-Neck: Neckline shaped like the letter "V"
Velvet: Lush, tufted fabric with raised, felted pile; reverse side is plain
Wrap: Fabric used to cover the shoulders; can also be a style of dress that wraps in the front and ties closed

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