- androgynous: a clothing style that is designed to be gender-neutral
- bespoke: a clothing item that is custom made for a particular person at their request. Men’s suits are the most common bespoke items of clothing.
- combed cotton: a type of cotton fabric that goes through an additional process to remove the remaining impurities. Combed cotton is softer and stronger.
- dtm (dyed to match): An item (trims) is dyed to match the colour of the fabric used in the garments. DTM (in garments) is a very common term used by apparel buyers and garment suppliers in the garment industry.
- eclectic: a fashion design trend that doesn’t follow a specific style. An eclectic look will typically include items of different styles for a completely different look.
- Egyptian cotton: cotton that is produced in the Nile Delta, which has longer staple compared to other cottons
- ensemble: As a fashion term, ensemble refers to all the items you wear including accessories.
- fashion forward: fashion styles that are expected to be popular in the near future
- haute couture: a French fashion term that means “high fashion” in English. Haute couture items are high-end, hand-made, and one of its kind.
- hemline: the lower edge of a garment
- jacquard: woven fabric that is manufactured with a special technique for complex designs. This special technique was first developed by Joseph Marie Jacquard in the late 1700s.
- juniors: clothing items for girls who wear neither kids’ nor adults’ sizes
- modal: a semi-synthetic fabric made from beech tree pulp. Modal is a more durable and flexible form of rayon and is considered a luxurious textile for its soft feel and high cost. It is mainly preferred in sustainable fashion design.
- neckline: the top edge of a top or dress usually around the neck
- pilling: a ball of fibres on the surface of a fabric, which appears as a result of wear or continued friction
- polycotton: a blend of polyester and cotton
- relaxed: loose fitting garments that are not oversized
- resin: a synthetic chemical compound that is applied to a fibre to make the fabric non-iron
- shrinkage (cotton): Cotton fabrics shrink at different rates on weft and warp. At high temperatures, a cotton fabric may shrink by 6-8%. Washing at lower temperatures will decrease the rate of shrinkage.
- sophisticated: a clothing item that is high-quality with a feminine but serious look
- Tencel: a brand name for a set of fibres called lyocell and modal. These fibres feel very soft and preferred in sustainable fashion design. Tencel is similar to rayon as both are regenerated cellulose fibres. The difference lies in the making of the fabric. As opposed to rayon, less toxic chemicals and wood from sustainably harvested trees are used to produce Tencel.
