Fabric Glossary of Terms

Acetate

Can be extruded into fibers of different diameter and woven into fabrics that have the luxurious look of silk but do not wear like silk. Acetate does not absorb moisture readily but dries fast and resists shrinking. This is a resilient fabric that resists wrinkling in addition to being pliable and soft with a good drape.

Brocade

A heavy, rich fabric woven with a raised pattern with a embossed look, resembling embroidery. Generally made of silk, rayon and nylon yarns with or without metallic treatment. The raised pattern is usually of flowers, foliage, scrollwork, pastoral scenes, or similar designs.

Burnished

A smooth, glossy fabric or surface that appears to shine in certain light. Synonyms for the word burnished include polished, gleaming and glistening.

Ciré

Gives rise to the look of the fabric rather than fibre content. www.dictionary.com describes ciré as "Having a highly glazed finish, usually by the application of wax: a ciré shirt; a ciré jacket".

Dagged

A jagged hanging end or shred cut unevenly.

Dickey or Dickie

A dickey is typically a piece of fabric that closely resembles a bib. The dickey is either fastened using ties or Velcro and is tucked in or worn underneath another layer thus creating the false look of an undershirt.

Epaulette

Shoulder strap, ornament or trimming designed to give effect of width to shoulder line.

EVA (Ethylene Vinyl Acetate)

A mixture of polyethylene (plastic bag) and vinyl acetate (phonograph record) plastics. This is the closed-cell foam as used in the construction of the insole of many athletic, trail running and hiking shoes.

Faux

Pronounced: fo (like go) Faux is a French word used to describe something made to resemble something else. The original French word means false, fake, imitation or artificial. Faux leather "looks like leather". Faux fur "looks like fur".

Gingham

A yarn dyed cotton fabric woven in stripes, checks, plaids or solid colours.

Jabot

Frill or ruffle, often lace or lace-trimmed, worn down front of bodice, usually fastened at neckline with velcro or button closure.

Lamé

The term comes from the French for "worked with gold and silver wire". It is a silk or any textile fibre in which metallic threads are used in the warp or the filling. Lame is also a trademark for metallic yarns. It often has pattern all over the surface and the shine and glitter of this fabric makes it suitable for dressy wear.

Latex

Natural rubber latex is a milky sap-like substance produced by the rubber tree called Hevea brasiliensis, found in Southeast Asia, India and South America. When the trunks of these rubber trees are tapped, they produce latex. This latex is then collected and used in manufacturing and used in a wide variety of consumer products including rubber gloves, tubing, rubber and bands.

Marabou

Any of several large African storks of the genus Leptoptilos that scavenge for carrion and that have a soft white down on the underside. Their downy feathers are used for trimming garments.

Panné

Panné is a special high lustre finish that can be applied to velvet and satin.

Peplum

A short overskirt or ruffle attached at the waistline of a jacket, blouse, or dress.

Pleather (polyurethane film)

Pleather represents the most daring and cutting edge textile usage available, and is a predominant fabric in spring lines by Tom Ford for Gucci, Moschino, Prada, FUBU, and Sean John. Pleather's popularity has increased quickly due to its less expensive price, ease of care, versatility, and animal friendly existence. Leather is also much more difficult and expensive to clean; pleather on the other hand, can be wiped off with a mild detergent and a warm cloth. This synthetic fabric can be worn more frequently than its non-synthetic counterpart.

PVC (Polyvinyl chloride)

A polymer of vinyl chloride used to make a diverse range of cost-effective products with various levels of technical performance suited to a wide range of applications. Many of these PVC products are used everyday and include everything from medical devices such as medical tubing and blood bags, to footwear, electrical cables; packaging, stationery and toys.

Satin

A tightly woven effect that creates a fabric with a beautiful sheen on one side. Typically made in man-made fabrics such as polyester, satin is probably the most common bridal-gown fabric finish.

Spandex

Spandex was the first manufactured elastic fiber, and was introduced by DuPont under the trade name "Lycra" in 1958. Adding spandex to a fabric also provides a higher level of comfort, a longer shelf life, and a better resistance to perspiration and body oils. This is why spandex has become so widely used in the "Workout Wear" and "Swim Wear" industries.

Velcro

Trade name for hook and pile fastener, generally of nylon, used to replace zippers and to secure miscellaneous items.

Vinyl

Generic term for PVC.