| HeraldNet - Snohomish County's online news source |
 SUNDAY, MARCH 21, 2010 11:20 pm |
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Defining the ABCs of fashion 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 |
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- Teen guilty of drunken driving, fleeing scene of wreck that injured officer
- Lynnwood finance director storms out of City Council meeting
- Washington, New Mexico hurt by East Coast bias?
- Silvertips rally, score OT win in playoff opener
- Lynnwood man arrested for alleged groping
- Police look for suspect in shooting of man in groin
- Supporters, foes of various tax increases fight to be heard in Olympia
- Sex offender who fled Arlington halfway house sentenced to 5 years
- Hatloe resigns as Everett city council VP
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(15) - Racist epithets fly at tea party health protest (13)
- Lynnwood finance director storms out of City Council meeting (13)
- Help revitalize Reiter Foothills (13)
- Boeing may have to battle Russians, EADS for tanker contract (11)
- Racist epithets fly at tea party protest (9)
- Is this Everett’s future? (8)
- State GOP is happy to watch and wait (6)
- State House votes to boost cigarette taxes by $1 a pack (5)
- Sales tax question remains unsolved (5)
- Archbishop Murphy graduate happy to be in San Jose
- Troupe improv-ment
- Best finish ever for Mavs
- Local businesses clean for a reason
- Edmonds Art Walk opens 9th year March 18
- Lynnwood girls wrap up at state
- Lynnwood wants outsider to review budget
- SKCC presents premiere of Jenkins’ composition
- Boeing to Offer NewGen Tanker to US Air Force
- New CEO at Valley General Hospital
- Dan Koffman's ‘TopSpin' marketing astounds, inspires, motivates, produces — just for starters
- Economic forecasts for Snohomish County, Everett, Marysville offer some bright moments
- Government officials influencing home prices
- Massive EPA energy regulations meet challenge
- Washington state healthcare reforms also needed
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