Every creative field has its own vocabulary, and fashion is no exception. Fashion terminology is the set of words used to describe clothing, fabrics, and construction details with accuracy. 

These terms define a garment’s style, fit, finish, and measurements, which gives teams and vendors a shared language to describe complex details clearly.

Having this shared vocabulary makes feedback direct, reduces errors, and keeps projects moving smoothly from sketch to production.

This guide brings together the most common terms used in everyday fashion work so teams can stay aligned and avoid confusion. 

Silhouettes and Garment Features

The overall shape and visible details of a garment define how it looks and fits. These terms describe the key design elements that give clothing its structure and style.

A-line

A skirt or dress shaped like the letter “A,” narrow at the top and wider at the hem. It’s a basic shape that remains a staple across fashion styles, often seen in everyday and runway looks.

Raglan Sleeve

A sleeve that extends in one piece up to the collar, creating a diagonal seam from underarm to neckline. It allows more movement and is common in sportswear and casual tops like baseball tees. Many fashion brands use raglan sleeves in casual and athleisure collections.

Yoke

A shaped panel that supports fit at the shoulders or hips. It appears in shirts, jeans, and dresses, often as the top section of the garment. A back yoke on jeans, for instance, defines shape and is a detail shoppers notice in both off-the-rack and custom-made styles.

Placket

A finished opening in a garment that holds closures such as buttons, snaps, or zippers. Plackets are standard in shirts, polos, and dresses. For example, a button-down shirt relies on a front placket for both function and a clean look.

Dart

A fold sewn into fabric to add shape, often used to contour the bust, waist, or hips. Darts turn flat fabric into a three-dimensional form, which is key in garment design. They are often visible in fitted dresses, blouses, and structured jackets.

Pleat

A fold of fabric is secured in place to add volume or control fullness. Pleats appear in fashion shows on skirts, trousers, and even floor-length gowns. They are a versatile design element, shifting between classic styles and more edgy fashion looks.

Gusset

A small, often triangular piece of fabric inserted into a garment to provide extra room or strength. It’s frequently used in activewear or denim to allow better movement. For example, gussets are built into yoga pants or denim jackets to prevent tearing.

Lining (Inner Layer)

The layer of fabric sewn inside a garment, worn closest to the body. Linings add comfort, structure, and a smoother finish by covering raw seams and construction details. Examples include dress linings, jacket linings, and undergarments worn beneath outer clothing, such as slips. Designers use linings to improve fit, drape, and overall garment quality.

Patternmaking and Fit

Behind every garment is a pattern that controls proportions and sizing. These terms explain how designers shape clothing to fit the body accurately.

Block Sloper

A basic pattern that serves as the starting point for new garments. Designers create variations on the sloper to test proportions and build a consistent fit across different garment styles. It’s a tool that technical designers rely on before finalizing production.

Ease

The space between the body and the garment that determines comfort and silhouette. There are two main types: wearing ease, which is the minimum allowance needed for movement and comfort, and design ease, which is additional space added for style or shape. Extra ease creates a relaxed fit, while less ease results in a closer, more fitted look.

Inseam

The inside leg measurement is taken from the crotch seam to the hem. It is a key measurement in jeans and structured trousers, as it determines how the garment sits on the body. Brands often list inseam options to guide shoppers in retail stores and department stores.

Rise

The distance between the crotch seam and the top of the waistband. It defines low-rise, mid-rise, or high-rise fits. The rise impacts fashion styles like punk style low-rise jeans or more preppy style high-waist trousers.

POM (Points of Measure)

The standard measuring points used on a garment to record fit details. Examples include chest width, sleeve length, or waist. Technical designers use POMs in tech packs so factories measure garments in the same way.

Tolerance

The acceptable plus-or-minus range allowed for each measurement. For instance, a waistband might allow a tolerance of half an inch. This flexibility reduces rejected garments and keeps production on schedule.

Grade Rule

The set of rules that defines how measurements change between sizes. A shirt may increase by one inch in chest width for each size. Grade rules keep sizing consistent across department stores and other physical locations.

Seam Allowance

The extra fabric is between the stitching line and the raw edge. Seam allowances are important in garment construction, giving room for sewing, adjustments, and durability.

Sewing and Seam Finishes

The way fabric pieces are stitched together affects durability, comfort, and appearance. These terms highlight common seams and construction techniques.

Flat Felled Seam

A type of enclosed seam that is strong and durable, with no raw edges exposed. It is often used in denim, workwear, and uniforms. A pair of jeans typically uses flat-felled seams to reinforce high-stress areas while keeping the inside neat.

French Seam

A narrow, enclosed seam that hides raw edges inside the garment. It is most common in delicate fabrics like silk or chiffon. Bridesmaid gowns and luxury blouses often feature French seams to keep the inside finish as clean as the outside.

Overlock

A stitch that trims and binds raw edges in one step, preventing fabric from fraying. Factories rely on overlock machines to produce knits, T-shirts, and ready-to-wear clothing at scale. You’ll often see overlocked edges inside fast fashion tops and mass-produced basics.

Coverstitch

A stitch used to hem knit fabrics with two or more parallel lines on the outside and loops on the inside. It provides stretch and durability, making it standard in activewear and T-shirts. For example, the hem of a cotton tee or leggings usually features a coverstitch finish.

Topstitch

A visible line of stitching on the outside of a garment. Topstitching can be decorative or functional, adding strength to seams and hems while also creating a clean, finished look. It is commonly used on denim, jackets, and custom pieces to highlight construction details.

Bartack

A short, dense set of stitches used to reinforce stress points on garments. Bartacks prevent fabric from tearing in areas that experience heavy wear, such as pocket corners, belt loops, and fly openings. They are especially important in denim, workwear, and uniforms.

Facing

A shaped piece of fabric sewn on the inside of a garment to finish raw edges. Facings are used around openings like necklines, armholes, and front plackets, giving structure and a smooth appearance without visible stitching. They help garments hold their shape and feel more polished.

Staystitch

A single row of stitching is applied to curved edges before garment pieces are assembled. Stay stitching prevents stretching or distortion during sewing, keeping areas like necklines and armholes in the correct shape. It is a key step in maintaining accuracy during construction.

Fabrics and Textile Properties

Fabric is the foundation of fashion. These terms cover how materials are described and measured for weight and performance.

GSM

Grams per square meter is the measurement of fabric weight. A higher GSM means a heavier, denser fabric, while a lower GSM signals something lighter. For example, fleece hoodies often use a high GSM, while lightweight fabrics like chiffon sit on the lower end.

Selvage

The tightly woven edge of fabric that prevents unraveling. Selvages run along the length of the fabric and are often used to identify fabric width. They also help ensure that pattern pieces are cut on the grain for proper fit and drape.

Warp and Weft

The two sets of threads that create woven fabric. Warp threads run lengthwise along the fabric, while weft threads run crosswise, weaving over and under the warp to form structure. Knowing the difference is important for cutting patterns correctly, maintaining fabric strength, and ensuring garments hang as intended.

Nap

The raised surface or texture on fabrics such as velvet, corduroy, or fleece. Nap affects both the look and feel of the fabric, giving it depth and sheen. Garments with nap must be cut consistently in one direction to avoid shading differences.

Hand

The way a fabric feels when touched is described with words like soft, crisp, smooth, or heavy. Fabric hand influences how a garment looks and drapes on the body. It is a key factor designers consider when selecting textiles for different styles.

Drape

How a fabric hangs and flows on the body or a form. Fabrics with fluid drape, like silk, create soft, flowing silhouettes, while stiffer fabrics, like denim, hold more structured shapes. Drape determines how designs translate from sketch to reality.

Fiber Content

The raw materials that make up a fabric, such as cotton, polyester, wool, or silk. Fiber content affects a garment’s comfort, durability, and care requirements. Labels on clothing usually list fiber content as a percentage breakdown.

Blend

A fabric created by combining two or more fibers, such as cotton-polyester blends. Blends balance the qualities of different fibers, offering benefits like softness, stretch, or wrinkle resistance. They are widely used in ready-to-wear fashion for performance and comfort.

Color and Print Development

Color choices and surface designs shape the personality of a collection. These terms explain how teams test, confirm, and apply color and prints.

Lab Dip

A small fabric swatch dyed to show color accuracy before bulk production. Teams send lab dips to fashion houses or vendors for approval. For instance, a brand may request multiple lab dips to compare shades of navy before confirming one for a seasonal collection.

Strike Off

A printed fabric sample made to test colors, placement, or scale of a design. It’s an important step in fashion design when developing prints like florals, stripes, or Hawaiian shirts. A strike off helps confirm the final look before moving into production.

Colorway

A specific combination of colors chosen for a style. A sneaker might come in three colorways, such as all black, white with red trim, or pastel tones. Fashion brands rely on colorways to expand a single design into multiple fashion styles within a season.

Pantone

A universal color-matching system used across fashion, design, and manufacturing. Pantone provides standardized color codes that allow teams, vendors, and factories to communicate shades with precision. It helps guarantee consistent color reproduction across fabrics, trims, and prints.

Placement Print

A print applied to a specific location on a garment rather than across the entire fabric. Common examples include chest logos on T-shirts or graphic motifs on dress panels. Placement prints add visual interest while keeping the rest of the garment solid.

Allover Print

A repeating pattern that covers the entire surface of the fabric. All-over prints are common in categories like floral dresses, Hawaiian shirts, or patterned leggings. They create bold, continuous designs that define the overall look of a garment.

Screen Print

A printing technique where ink is pushed through a mesh stencil (screen) onto fabric. Each color requires a separate screen, making it ideal for bold, graphic designs. Screen printing is widely used for T-shirts, hoodies, and promotional apparel.

Sublimation

A heat-based printing process that bonds dye directly into polyester fabric. Sublimation produces vivid, long-lasting prints that won’t crack or peel, even after repeated washing. It is especially popular for activewear, sports uniforms, and performance gear.

Dye and Construction Timing

When and how a garment is dyed can change its final look and feel. These terms describe key processes used in production.

Yarn Dye

A process where yarn is dyed before being woven or knitted into fabric. This creates patterns like stripes or checks with long-lasting color. For example, gingham shirts and plaid flannels often come from yarn-dyed fabrics.

Garment Dye

A method where the finished garment is dyed after construction. This gives clothes a softer, lived-in look and can create subtle variations in shade. Many fashion brands use garment dye in capsule collections for casual T-shirts and sweatshirts.

Piece Dye

A method where fabric is dyed after it has been woven or knitted but before being cut and sewn into garments. Piece dyeing allows for flexibility in color decisions later in the process. It is often used in bulk production to meet seasonal color needs.

Pigment Dye

A dyeing method that produces a soft, washed, and slightly faded effect on garments. Pigment dye sits on the fabric’s surface instead of bonding deeply with the fibers, creating a casual, vintage look. It is popular in T-shirts, sweatshirts, and casual wear.

Overdye

A process where a second dye is applied to a fabric or garment already dyed in another color. Overdyeing creates layered tones, unique effects, and richer depth of color. It is often used in limited-edition or experimental collections.

Dip Dye

A gradient dyeing technique where fabric or garments are partially submerged in dye baths. Dip dye produces an ombré effect, transitioning from one shade to another. It is frequently used in dresses, skirts, and casual tops for a bold statement look.

Tie-dye

A resist-dyeing technique where fabric is twisted, tied, or folded before being dyed. The tied areas resist the dye, creating bold, irregular patterns. Tie-dye is commonly associated with 1960s fashion but continues to appear in modern streetwear and festival collections.

Enzyme Wash

A finishing process that uses natural enzymes to soften fabric and give garments a worn, faded look. Enzyme washes reduce pilling, improve comfort, and are considered more eco-friendly than traditional chemical washes. They are widely used on denim, knits, and casual apparel.

Product Development Documents and Materials

From initial sketches to final production, clear documentation keeps everyone aligned. These terms define the tools used to communicate specifications.

Tech Pack

A document that contains all the specifications a factory needs to produce a garment. It includes measurements, construction details, fabrics, and trims. Tech packs act as the instruction manual, making sure that what designers sketch matches what vendors produce.

BOM (Bill of Materials)

A detailed list of every component required to make a garment. This includes fabrics, buttons, zippers, labels, and thread. A BOM helps vendors source materials accurately and control costs during production.

Spec Sheet

A detailed page that lists garment measurements and construction details. Spec sheets are often included within a tech pack to give factories exact guidelines for production. They help maintain consistency across samples and bulk orders.

Line Sheet

A catalog that displays a collection’s styles along with descriptions, pricing, and order information. Line sheets are shared with buyers and retailers during sales meetings or trade shows. They act as a selling tool, making it easy to review options and place orders.

CAD Flat

A computer-aided design (CAD) technical drawing of a garment is shown in flat form. CAD flats include proportions, seam lines, and construction details without stylized illustration. They are commonly used in tech packs to clearly communicate design intent to factories.

Style Number

A unique identifying code is assigned to each garment design. Style numbers help track products across design, production, and retail systems. They are important for organizing collections and managing inventory.

Season Code

A label that indicates the collection season for a garment, such as SS25 for Spring/Summer 2025. Season codes help brands and retailers organize product launches and make sure styles arrive in the correct selling window.

Trim Card

A sample sheet that displays all trims used on a garment, such as buttons, zippers, and labels. Trim cards provide factories with a visual and physical reference for sourcing and production. They also help teams confirm quality and consistency across styles.

Production, Quantities, and Quality

Getting a collection into stores requires careful planning and standards. These terms explain the numbers and checks used in manufacturing.

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity)

The smallest number of units a vendor will agree to produce for a style. For example, a factory may require a 300-piece MOQ for T-shirts, which impacts how fashion brands plan collections and budgets.

Lead Time

The amount of time it takes to complete a process, from placing an order to delivery. Lead times vary depending on fabric sourcing, production schedules, and shipping. A fashion house may plan six months of lead time for a new seasonal collection.

AQL (Acceptable Quality Limit)

A standard that defines how many defective items are allowed within a batch of production. For instance, an AQL level might allow two minor defects in a sample of 100 units. It’s widely used in the fashion industry to monitor quality before products reach retail.

CMT (Cut, Make, Trim)

A production model where factories handle only the cutting, sewing, and finishing of garments. In this setup, the brand supplies fabrics and trims, while the factory provides labor and assembly. CMT is often used when brands want more control over sourcing and material quality.

FOB (Free on Board)

A shipping term that indicates when ownership of goods transfers from seller to buyer. Under FOB agreements, the supplier is responsible for goods until they are loaded onto the shipping vessel. After that point, the buyer assumes responsibility for transport, insurance, and customs.

Marker

A planned layout of pattern pieces on fabric is designed to maximize efficiency and reduce waste. Markers help determine how many garments can be cut from a specific fabric width. They play an important role in controlling fabric costs during production.

Yield

The amount of fabric required to make a single garment. Yield is calculated using markers and varies by fabric width, garment size, and style complexity. Accurate yield calculations help brands estimate material needs and manage budgets.

Shrinkage

The reduction in fabric size after washing, drying, or finishing. Shrinkage can affect garment fit and must be tested before production. Pre-shrinking fabrics or allowing tolerance in measurements helps avoid sizing issues in finished products.

Collections, Shows, and Business Terms

Fashion operates as both art and commerce. These terms describe collections, presentations, and the business side of the industry.

Fashion Weeks

Global events where designers and fashion houses present new collections to the fashion press, buyers, and the public. Major fashion weeks in Paris, Milan, New York, and London set trends for each particular season and influence the fashion world.

Androgynous Style

A particular style that blends traditionally masculine and feminine elements. Androgynous style often features clean lines, neutral tones, and unisex clothing designed to work across genders. It is a recurring trend in both ready-to-wear and high fashion.

Atelier

The French word “atelier” means “workshop” and refers to the creative space where designers and artisans develop garments. In haute couture, the atelier is central to garment creation, where every dress form, stitch, and detail is perfected before presentation.

Diffusion Line

A secondary collection released by a fashion house at a lower price point than its mainline collection. A diffusion line allows luxury brands to reach a broader audience while maintaining a connection to their core identity.

Resort Wear

A clothing style designed for vacations, beach trips, and warm-weather destinations. Resort wear is often lightweight, packable, and versatile, including items like sundresses, linen suits, swim coverups, and sandals. Luxury brands release resort collections to cater to shoppers seeking stylish options for holiday travel.

Cruise Wear

A transitional collection launched between the main Spring/Summer and Fall/Winter seasons. Cruise wear often takes inspiration from travel and leisure, offering garments suited for multiple climates. These collections keep luxury shoppers engaged year-round and bridge the gap between seasonal runway shows.

Fashion House

A company that designs, produces, and markets collections under a brand name. Famous fashion houses such as Louis Vuitton and Chanel set global fashion trends across haute couture and ready-to-wear collections.

Mood Board

A visual collage that brings together images, fabrics, colors, and references to inspire a collection. Designers use mood boards at the start of the creative process to define the overall direction, theme, and particular style of a season. They help align design teams, merchants, and vendors around a shared vision before moving into detailed garment development.

Onbrand: A Smarter Way to Design and Develop

Clear communication is the foundation of great design work. When fashion teams, vendors, and factories share the same vocabulary, projects move faster and with fewer errors.

Onbrand gives brands a modern workspace where ideas, specs, and visuals stay aligned from the first sketch to production-ready tech packs.

With Onbrand, design exploration and product development happen in the same ecosystem. Teams can generate concepts in seconds, refine garment styles with realistic visuals, and keep terminology consistent across tech packs, BOMs, and POMs so factories always know exactly what to deliver.

What can fashion teams do with Onbrand?

• Generate concepts instantly – Create new designs from sketches, text prompts, or reference photos in seconds.

• Stay aligned with live tech packs – Specs and shared fashion terminology update in real time, cutting confusion.

• Collaborate in one space – Designers, merchants, and vendors review designs, leave comments, and track revisions together.

• Reduce sampling cycles – Achieve 30–50% fewer physical samples with photoreal previews and 3D simulations.

• Save weeks of time – Teams see 10+ weeks saved each year with faster design turnover and fewer revisions.

• Work at speed – Brands report 55% faster tech pack creation and shorter product development timelines.

• Organize design ideas – Fashion mood boards, color palettes, and asset libraries keep collections structured and accessible.

Onbrand connects creativity with structured product development so fashion brands can move faster without sacrificing accuracy. The result is fewer delays, fewer mistakes, and a smoother handoff from design to production.

Ready to bring more clarity and speed to your design process? Get started today and see how Onbrand can help your team work smarter.

Bringing Fashion Language to Life With Onbrand!

Fashion refers to more than clothing trends. It is a system of ideas, vocabulary, and processes that shape how brands design and present collections.

Knowing fashion terms makes it easier to understand the fashion world, from capsule wardrobes to fashion weeks, and how clothing designed for different purposes fits into a style category.

For fashion teams, managing this process can be overwhelming without the right fashion tools. Onbrand brings structure to creativity with a modern product lifecycle management (PLM) platform and AI design features.

Brands report 55% faster tech pack creation, 30–50% fewer physical samples, and 10+ weeks saved each year while staying aligned from concept to production.

See how Onbrand can support your next collection. Sign up today!

FAQs About Fashion Terms

What are the keywords for fashion?

Keywords for fashion include terms that describe clothing designed for different purposes, from ready-to-wear collections to haute couture. They often highlight a particular style, such as leather jackets, maxi dresses, androgynous style, or slip-on sandals, and are used by a fashion designer to categorize garments into a clear style category.

What is the vocabulary of fashion?

The vocabulary of fashion is the set of fashion industry terms and common fashion words that describe fabrics, cuts, and finishes. This vocabulary helps technical designers, brands, and factories communicate in such a way that reduces mistakes and keeps projects aligned across the fashion world.

What is the 3-3-3 rule in fashion?

The 3-3-3 rule in fashion is a method used to build a capsule wardrobe, where you select three tops, three bottoms, and three pairs of shoes to create multiple outfits. This approach keeps outfits simple, functional, and easy to style while reflecting fashion-forward thinking.

What is fashion?

Fashion refers to the styles, trends, and clothing designed to express identity, culture, or creativity. It spans everything from body clothes worn daily to innovative designs presented at fashion weeks. Fashion is shaped by designers, brands, and fashion houses, and it continues to evolve across particular seasons and style categories.

What is the difference between fashion jargon and fashion terms?

Fashion terms are standardized words used to describe fabrics, cuts, and processes like pattern making that provide clarity across the industry. In contrast, fashion jargon is informal language or slang that may shift between groups or trends, such as outdated expressions from a previous era.