Clothing: Fashion Glossary

Tops, trousers, dresses, outerwear and underwear.

81 terms · Browse the full glossary A–Z

A

  • AnorakAn anorak is a hooded, windproof jacket usually pulled on over the head, with the hood sewn in place and a hem long enough to cover the hips.
  • ApronAn apron is a garment worn over the front of the body and tied on, typically at the waist, to protect the clothes underneath.

B

  • Ball GownA ball gown is a floor-length formal dress made for dancing at a ball, usually built on a fitted bodice and a full skirt.
  • BikiniA bikini is a two-piece women’s swimsuit made of a bra-style top and separate briefs cut below the navel.
  • BlazerA blazer is a tailored jacket worn on its own rather than as part of a suit, traditionally in solid navy or club-striped cloth with metal or enamel buttons.
  • BlouseA blouse is a light, loose upper-body garment, now worn mainly by women, that is paired with a separate skirt or trousers.
  • BodysuitA bodysuit is a close-fitting one-piece garment that covers the torso and bottom and usually fastens between the legs, worn as a top under trousers or skirts.
  • Bolero JacketA bolero jacket is a short jacket that ends at or above the waist and is usually open at the front.
  • Bomber JacketA bomber jacket is a waist-length casual jacket with a front zip and knitted cuffs and waistband, descended from the flying jackets issued to US military aircrew.
  • Boxer ShortsBoxer shorts are loose-fitting underwear shorts, traditionally for men, with an elastic waistband and short, roomy legs.
  • Bra (Brassiere)A bra, short for brassiere, is an undergarment that covers and supports the breasts, usually with two cups, shoulder straps and a band that fastens at the back.
  • BriefsBriefs are close-fitting underpants with no legs, held up by elastic at the waist and finished with elastic or bands at the leg openings.
  • BustierA bustier is a close-fitting, often strapless top that is worn either as a bra or as an outer garment.

C

  • Caftan (Kaftan)A caftan, also spelled kaftan, is a loose, full-length robe-like garment with long, wide sleeves, traditionally open at the front and often tied with a sash.
  • CamisoleA camisole is a short, sleeveless top for women that hangs from shoulder straps and is usually cut straight across the bust.
  • CapeA cape is a sleeveless outer garment that sits close at the neck and falls loosely over the shoulders.
  • Capri PantsCapri pants are close-fitting trousers that end above the ankle, often tapering to finish a few inches above it.
  • CardiganA cardigan is a knitted sweater or jacket that opens down the full length of the centre front, often fastened with buttons and usually collarless.
  • Cargo PantsCargo pants are casual trousers with large cargo pockets, usually flapped and pleated, on the sides of the legs at thigh level.
  • ChinosChinos are trousers made from chino, a cotton or synthetic-fibre twill of the type used for military uniforms.
  • CloakA cloak is a long, loose outer garment without sleeves that hangs from the neck and shoulders, often with a hood or slits for the arms.
  • CoatA coat is an outer garment with sleeves and a centre-front closure, worn over the rest of the clothes for warmth or protection from the weather.
  • Cocktail DressA cocktail dress is a dress for early-evening parties that is dressier than daywear but shorter and more covered-up than a full evening gown, usually ending around the knee.
  • CorsetA corset is a close-fitting garment, traditionally stiffened with boning, that shapes or constricts the waist and supports the bust.
  • Crop TopA crop top is a short top whose hem stops above the waist, leaving part or all of the midriff uncovered.
  • CulottesCulottes are a divided skirt: trousers with legs cut so wide that the garment hangs like a skirt when the wearer stands still.

D

  • Denim JacketA denim jacket is a short casual jacket cut from denim, a cotton twill woven with coloured warp and white filling yarns, usually with a collar, a button front, flapped front pockets and a waistband.
  • Dinner JacketA dinner jacket is a tailored evening jacket worn for black tie, traditionally of black wool with silk-faced peaked lapels and covered buttons.
  • Dress ShirtA dress shirt is a collared shirt with cuffs and a buttoned front, made to be worn with a necktie or with evening dress.

E

  • Evening GownAn evening gown is a formal dress made for evening events, generally with a low neckline, a fitted bodice, bared arms and an elaborate skirt.

F

  • Flannel ShirtA flannel shirt is a shirt, usually collared and buttoned down the front, cut from flannel, a woven wool, cotton or blended cloth whose surface is napped into a soft, warm fuzz.
  • Flapper DressA flapper dress is a tubular, loose-fitting women’s dress of the 1920s with a dropped waist and a raised hemline, cut for a straight, androgynous line.

G

  • Garter BeltA garter belt is an undergarment worn around the waist with elastic straps that fasten to the tops of stockings to hold them up.
  • Gilet (Bodywarmer)A gilet is a sleeveless outer jacket, usually padded or quilted with down or synthetic fill, worn to keep the body warm while leaving the arms free.

H

  • Halter TopA halter top is a sleeveless top held up by a strap, band or ties that pass around the back of the neck, leaving the shoulders and back bare.
  • Harem PantsHarem pants are loose, full trousers that gather or fit closely at the ankle.
  • Henley ShirtA Henley shirt is a lightweight pullover shirt with a ribbed neck and a short vertical opening at the front, fastened by a line of buttons.
  • HoodieA hoodie is a sweatshirt or knitted jacket with an attached hood, usually cut from a looped or brushed knit such as French terry or fleece and finished with rib-knit cuffs and hem.

J

  • JacketA jacket is a garment for the upper body that usually opens down the front and has a collar, lapels, sleeves and pockets.
  • JeansJeans are trousers cut from denim, a cotton twill with an indigo-dyed warp and a white weft, usually with five pockets and rivets or bar tacks at the points that take strain.
  • Jersey (Athletic)An athletic jersey is a shirt worn by a member of a sports team as part of the team uniform, typically carrying the athlete’s name and number on the back.
  • JumpsuitA jumpsuit is a one-piece garment in which a top and trousers are joined, either cut as one or seamed at the waist, and stepped into through a zip or buttoned opening.

L

  • LeggingsLeggings are close-fitting trousers made of stretch fabric that clings to the leg from waist to ankle or calf.
  • Little Black Dress (LBD)A little black dress (LBD) is a black dress cut simply and kept light on decoration, so it can be dressed up or down for day or evening.

M

  • Maxi DressA maxi dress is a dress whose skirt reaches the ankles or the floor, in any cut from fitted to loose.
  • Maxi SkirtA maxi skirt is a separate skirt whose hem falls to the ankle or the floor, in any cut from a narrow column to full tiers.
  • Mermaid DressA mermaid dress is a full-length evening dress fitted closely through the bodice, hips and thighs to about the knee, then flaring to the hem like a fish’s tail.
  • Mini SkirtA mini skirt is a skirt whose hemline sits well above the knee, from several inches above it to the upper thigh.

N

  • NightgownA nightgown is a loose, one-piece garment worn for sleeping, hanging from the shoulders like a dress and cut short or full-length.

O

  • Overalls (Dungarees)Overalls are trousers with a bib over the chest and straps over the shoulders, worn over a separate shirt or top.

P

  • Palazzo PantsPalazzo pants are full-length trousers with extremely wide legs that hang loose from the hip to the ankle or floor.
  • ParkaA parka is a hooded outer garment made to protect the wearer from cold and wind; in its modern sense, a fabric jacket or pullover, usually lined.
  • PeacoatA peacoat is a short, heavy, double-breasted wool coat, traditionally navy blue, originally worn by sailors.
  • Pencil SkirtA pencil skirt is a close-fitting, straight-cut skirt that follows the hips and typically ends at or just below the knee.
  • Polo ShirtA polo shirt is a knitted pullover shirt with a short buttoned placket and usually a turnover collar, often short-sleeved and made in cotton piqué.
  • PulloverA pullover is a garment put on by pulling it over the head, with no full-length front opening.

R

  • RaincoatA raincoat is a coat made to keep the wearer dry in rain, cut from waterproof or water-resistant cloth such as rubberised fabric, waxed cotton, gabardine, plastic or a membrane laminate.
  • RobeA robe is a loose outer garment, usually open at the front and closed with a tie belt, worn at home over sleepwear or after a bath.
  • Romper (Playsuit)A romper is a one-piece garment that joins a top to shorts, so it is stepped into and fastened with buttons, a zip or ties.

S

T

U

V

W