Fashion Terms A to ZA-line, Bias, Cowl…Do you know what all of these fashion terms mean?

I’ve been in the Fashion Industry for as long as I’ve been working. The ABC’s of Fashion have been a part of my vocabulary for just as long.

When I meet with clients, I’m not surprised that some of the terms I use they are not familiar with. Therefore, I decided to do a series of newsletters that would start off with the most basic common fashion terms and end with the most uncommon and sometimes quite bazaar idioms.

I’m not sure how many newsletters it will take to create these lists for you, nor do I know when they will be posted. So the best thing to do is to just keep reading my newsletters and you’re bound to see them. I think you’ll find them not only informative but interesting as well!

Ready?

Here’s the first list. It’s a small one – let’s take this on slowly – I don’t want to overwhelm you. 🙂 (A-C)

A-line:

Like an A-frame building, the triangle-like silhouette usually begins fitted, starting at the waist and then gradually widens from the hips down to the hem. Hence, reminiscent of a capital A. The term was first coined by Christian Dior in 1955 to describe the shape of his A-line Spring Summer Collection.

Christian Dior A-line Dress

 

Bias cut:

Bias cut means to be “cut on the grain.” Instead of cutting on the straight line of a particular weave, the pattern is placed and cut on a 45° angle on the woven fabric. When cut at this angle, the “weft and warp” threads have more of n “elastic stretch” in the fabric, creating a more fluid drape in a  sewn garment, and accentuating the body lines. It was popularized in the 1920s by Madeleine Vionnet.

Vionnet Bias Cut Dress

 

Cowl Neckline:

Cowl Necklines are formed by extra fabric that drapes in curved, rounded folds, around the neckline from shoulder to shoulder, falling below the collarbone. Although cowl necklines became popular in the 1930s, they have been around since the ancient Greek times.

CSQ #78 - cowl dress

 

Well? Did you learn a thing or two, or were you already a true Fashionista in the know? If you did learn something, hoorah! – Here’s to you expanding your “fashion lingo!” If this was nothing new to you, well, I look forward to sharing many more terms with you and hearing, “Oh…I didn’t know that one!” 🙂

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Now, it’s your turn. I’d love to hear from you.  Your insights and inspiration are appreciated so please share your stories in the comments below.
If you have a question also post it in the comment section below.  I check it daily. Since the topic is always about fashion or style no question that you ask will be “off Topic.”
That means as far as I’m concerned, when you ask a question that is the topic. Everyone else who’s reading it can follow up on my answer. There will be no questions that you ask that will be too far off topic because your question will be the current topic. So…ask away!
Oh…and your email address is not “required” even though it says so. 🙂 Don’t even ask.
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Love,
~Michelle