Many terms used to describe fashion are unfamiliar, especially those that refer to historic dress. Here’s a glossary that I hope you find helpful.

Tim

Bustle (buss-l): Pad or frame worn below waist at back to support skirts. Became fashionable in the late 1860s and early 1870s.

Dust ruffle (dust ruff-l): Ruffle sewn inside edge of long petticoat or skirt to protect it from hard wear and prevent soiling from contact with the floor. Sometimes called a sweeper.

Ruche (roosh): Strip of gathered or pleated fabric.

Fichu (fish-oo): Draped scarf or shawl worn around shoulders and tied in a knot at breast, with ends hanging down loosely.

Décolletage (dā-kŏl-e-tazh): Outline of low-cut neck on a woman’s garment used in formal evening gowns.

Jabot (zha-bō): Frill or ruffle, usually lace or lace-trimmed, worn down front of garment at neck opening.

Bolero (bō-lar-ō): Short jacket no longer than normal waistline, with or without sleeves. Worn open in front over bodice or blouse. Spanish in origin.

Kimono (kē-mō-nō): Garment typical of Japanese costume, made as loose, wide-sleeved robe, fastened around waist with broad sash.

Frou-frou (froo-froo): French word meaning a rustling sound, as of woman’s silk taffeta dress. Also applied to dress trimmings which might produce sound, such as ruffles, lace, etc.

Waist (wāst): Garment or part of a garment covering the body from shoulders to waistline. Today this is called a blouse.

Tunic (too-nik): Overblouse, dress or coat usually to hip line or longer; either fitted or gathered at waist, sometimes belted.

Dolman (dōl-men): Cape-like wrap with openings for hands or with cape-shaped sleeves.

Chemise (sha-mēz): Loose undergarment for women, hanging straight from shoulders, covering the torso. Sometimes called a shift or smock and originally made with or without sleeves.

Pelerine (pel-er-rēn): Cape, usually waist-length in back, with long, pointed ends in front.

Wrapper (rap-er): Originally a loose, informal garment for casual wear at home made in all fabrics and eventually used for all occasions.

Cowl (koul): Soft fold or drape of material similar in effect to a monk’s cowl dropped over shoulders at back.

Peplum (pep-lum): Small ruffle, flounce, or flared extension of the costume around hips, usually from bottom of blouse, bodice, or jacket.

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Couture (kō-tur): All fashionable dress, including both haute couture and ready-to-wear.

Haute couture (hōt kō-tur): French for “high sewing” and describes the Parisian fashion houses that create exclusive, custom-tailored clothing for women.

Ready-to-wear (red-ē too wār): Clothing that is designed, marketed, and sold in standard sizes and is often mass-produced.

Tags: Couture, Fashion, glossary, History, Timothy Long

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