| 3/4 Sleeve: Sleeve with a length between the wrist and the elbow | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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) | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 ` | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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) | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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. | |
| 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. | ` |
| 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. | |
| 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. | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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" | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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 | |
| 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) | |
| 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 | ` |
| Thigh Length: Hemline that hits at mid-thigh. It's longer than a minidress. | |
| Tiered: Sewn with multiple layers | |
| Trapeze: A trapeze dress is a triangular dress starting at the shoulders and flairs underneath. Then it flairs 'a lot' it can also be called a tent dress. | |
| 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) | |
| 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 | |
| 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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