Living

<< Previous   of   Next >> Associated Press  (click to enlarge) This 1947 file photo shows a model wearing a Christian Dior creation called the "New look." The New Look is the 1947 ladies' silhouette by Dior that ushered in a completely different post-World War II style.   ADVERTISEMENT   Related Stories • Today's stories ready to wear 9/2/08   CONTACT THE HERALD Melanie Munk, Features Editor munk@heraldnet.com   Published: Tuesday, September 2, 2008 Defining the ABCs of fashion By Samantha Critchell Asssociated Press Ever ponder the difference between a sheath dress and a shift? An A-line and a trapeze? The fashion world uses insider lingo like, well, insiders. But fashion is more democratic than that: We all have to get dressed and should know if we're wearing a cowl neck or a halter. Here are some ABCs of the style lexicon: A-line: A skirt that is narrowest at the waist, then flares out on a straight line to the hem like a triangle, or an A. Boatneck: This neckline is named for its similarity in shape to a skimmer boat. It's a narrow opening in its width but extends almost shoulder-to-shoulder. Bias cut: Fabric cut on approximately a 45-degree angle to create a clingy, draped effect. Cowl: Draped, loose neckline with a cascading effect. It's possible to also have a cowl as the back of a dress. Dolman sleeve: A sleeve that's wide at the armhole and narrows toward the wrist. D'Orsay: Shoe style resembling pumps but with a high vamp on the front of the foot and cutout sides, exposing the arch of the foot. Epaulet: Fabric tab that sits on the top of the shoulder; sometimes it's functional, holding a rolled-up sleeve. It's a detail inspired by military uniforms. Empire waist: This "waistline" hits well above the natural waist, sometimes right under the bust, creating an ethereal silhouette, popular for baby-doll tops, evening gowns and maternity clothes. Fishnet: A fabric often used in lingerie or hosiery with an open-mesh weave that resembles a fishing net. Gauchos: Midcalf-length pants with wide legs fashioned after the South American cowboys known as gauchos. Halter: Neckline to a sleeveless garment that leaves the shoulders, and often the upper back, exposed. Most either tie or have a strap that goes around the back of the neck. Jabot: Ruffled, sometimes-detachable collar that hangs down the front of a shirt or blouse. Historically, men wore it on dress clothes, but it is now more common for women's clothes. Keyhole: Peek-a-boo opening found on the neckline, the front of a garment or the back. It's oblong, as if to fit a key. Knife pleat: A fold in the fabric that creates a fanlike effect. Knife pleats, versus more complicated accordion, box or inverted pleats, are the basic pleating technique in sewing. Mule: A backless shoe, it can be dressy or casual. Nehru jacket: Fitted, single-breasted jacket with standup Mandarin or band collar, named after the late Indian prime minister Jawaharlal Nehru. New Look: The 1947 ladies' silhouette by Christian Dior that ushered in a completely different post-World War II style. Organza: A sheer and delicate -- yet stiff -- fabric. Portrait collar: An open neckline that is wider than it is deep. It provides both a frame and blank space around the face, drawing the eye upward. Riding pants: Also known as jodhpurs, the pants style with roomy hips but otherwise tight-fitting legs started as a practical silhouette for equestrians. Sheath: Long and lean dress silhouette with a nipped waist and usually without a waistband to create an hourglass shape. Its fashion opposite is the boxier, shorter shift dress that hangs from the shoulders. Spectator: Style of two-tone shoes. Men's spectators are typically wing-tips and women's are pumps with wing tip-style perforation and detail. Trapeze: Typically short dress style with narrow shoulders and a bodice that progressively flares out from there. It's a trapezoid shape, hence the name. Vintage: Term to describe clothes from another era. Antique clothes need to be more than 100 years old; vintage clothes are generally assumed to be newer than antique, but older than the most recent decade. Yoke: A line, commonly across the shoulders or hips, that creates a more fitted shape. Photos by Associated Press READER COMMENTS Be the first to comment. You must be a registered user and verify your e-mail address to post comments to blogs or articles on HeraldNet. To register, click here. To read other terms and conditions, click here. Log out

1. ‘One bad choice' blamed in death of 4 friends in fatal wreck 2. Man failed to scrape windshield before crashing into Everett school bus 3. County official's alleged intoxication at fatal crash site under investigation 4. 2 injured in Everett fire 5. Father gets 13 years in 6-year-old's fatal shooting 6. Man’s car plunges into Lake Stevens 7. Whining, lying and crying 8. More slaying scene evidence is linked to Shawna Forde 9. Gregoire backs off move of state parks into Department of Natural Resources 10. Boeing rival Northrop Grumman threatens to drop out of Air Force tanker contest 2 - Top 10 Stories Most Talked about 3 - Top 10 Stories Most Emailed

• Wildcats fall to familar foe in semis • ‘Nutcracker' times three • Road warrior • Mavericks reloading • Holiday Lightings & Santa Sightings • Cities prepare for winter blast repeat • Wolfpack duo takes last shot at state tourney • This Weekend in Your Town • Tips for the stormy season • Boeing will build, flight test and deliver 787s in South Carolina to spe ... • Snohomish County EDC promoting job growth in key industry clusters • $4 million grant to advance brain tumor research has Everett links • Providence medical center construction tops off its 12-story steel frame ... • Tulalip affordable housing project to be financed by KeyBank, Raymond Ja ... • Arlington's Lak of Ink has a growing following for Luke Kooyman's creati ... • Bank of the Northwest formed • Cascade Bank earns $1.6 million