Fashion Glossary: A-Z of Industry Terms
Whether you’re a designer, manufacturer, supplier, or retailer, understanding key terms in the fashion industry is essential for effective communication and decision-making.
This glossary provides a comprehensive collection of essential terms used in apparel design and manufacturing to help professionals navigate the industry with confidence.
To make it easy for you to follow this guide, we’ve arranged the terms in alphabetical order.
Glossary Terms: A-E
A-Line – A dress or skirt shape that is narrow at the top and gradually widens towards the hem.
Appliqué – Decorative fabric pieces sewn or glued onto a garment for embellishment.
Armhole – The opening in a garment where the sleeve is attached.
Backstitch – A strong stitching method used to secure seams by overlapping stitches.
Bespoke – A custom-made garment tailored specifically to an individual’s measurements and specifications.
Bias Cut – A technique where fabric is cut at a 45-degree angle to the grain for a better drape.
Bill of Materials (BOM) – BOM is a detailed list of all raw materials, components, and trims required to manufacture a garment.
CAD (Computer-Aided Design) – Software used in fashion design to create digital patterns and sketches.
Cap Sleeve – A short sleeve that covers only the shoulder area.
CMT (Cut, Make, Trim) – A manufacturing process where the supplier cuts fabric, sews garments and applies trims.
Color Fastness – The ability of a fabric to retain its color after washing, exposure to sunlight, or use.
Costing Sheet – A document detailing the cost breakdown of a garment, including fabric, labor, and trims.
Darts – Tucks sewn into fabric to create shape and contour in garments.
Digital Printing – A printing method where designs are directly printed onto fabric using inkjet technology.
Drop Shoulder – A design where the shoulder seam extends beyond the natural shoulder line
Ease – Extra fabric added to a pattern for comfort and movement.
Embroidery – Decorative stitching on fabric using thread, beads, or sequins.
Ethical Fashion – Clothing designed and produced with sustainable and fair labor practices.
Glossary Terms: F - J
Fabric Consumption – The amount of fabric required to produce a garment.
Facing – An extra layer of fabric used to finish edges, such as collars and armholes.
Fashion Forecasting – Predicting future fashion trends based on market research and analysis.
Flat Sketch – A two-dimensional technical drawing of a garment showing design details.
Garment Performance Test (GPT) Sample – This is the sample taken from the production floor and sent to quality control to test for shrinkage, elasticity, color fastness, etc.
Grading – Grading refers to the process of scaling a pattern up or down to create different sizes.
GSM (Grams per Square Meter) – A measurement of fabric weight and thickness.
Haute Couture – High-end, custom-fitted fashion created by luxury designers.
Heat Transfer Printing – A method of transferring designs onto fabric using heat and pressure.
Hem – The finished edge of a garment to prevent fraying.
Interfacing – A fabric layer sewn or fused into garments to provide structure.
Industrial Sewing Machine – A high-speed, durable machine used in mass garment production.
Jacquard – A woven fabric with intricate patterns created during the weaving process.
Jersey – A soft, stretchy knit fabric often used in t-shirts and dresses.
Glossary Terms: K - P
Knit Fabric – Fabric made by looping yarn together, giving it stretch and flexibility.
Lining – An additional fabric layer inside a garment for comfort and structure.
Lockstitch – A type of stitch that locks two threads together, creating a durable seam.
Marker – A layout of pattern pieces on fabric to minimize waste before cutting.
MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity) – The smallest number of garments a manufacturer requires for production.
Notch – Small cuts in the fabric to help align pattern pieces during sewing.
Non-Woven Fabric – Fabric made by bonding fibers together instead of weaving or knitting.
Pattern Grading – Adjusting pattern sizes to create a full size range.
Pleats – Fabric folds sewn or pressed to add volume or design elements.
Placket – A fabric panel with buttons or a zipper, often used in shirts and jackets.
Pre-Shrunk Fabric – Fabric that has been treated to prevent further shrinkage after washing.
Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) – Processes and software solutions that help businesses manage product design, development, and sales.
Glossary Terms: Q - U
Quality Control (QC) – The process of inspecting garments to ensure they meet quality standards.
Quilting – Stitching together multiple fabric layers to create a padded texture.
Raw Edge – The unfinished cut edge of fabric.
Ruching – Gathering fabric to create texture and volume.
Rib Knit – A type of knit fabric with raised vertical lines, offering elasticity.
Sample Making – The process of creating a samples/prototypes garment before mass production.
Seam Allowance – The extra fabric between the stitch line and the raw edge.
Serger – A sewing machine that trims and overlocks fabric edges simultaneously.
Silhouette – The overall shape of a garment.
Sublimation Printing – A dye process that embeds ink into fabric fibers for a long-lasting print.
Twill Weave – A diagonal pattern weave known for its durability.
Tech Pack – Tech pack is a document containing specifications for manufacturing a garment.
Topstitching – A visible row of stitches on the outside of a garment for reinforcement or decoration.
Tensile Strength – The resistance of fabric to tearing or breaking under tension.
Understitching – A technique that prevents facings or linings from rolling to the outside of a garment.
UPC (Universal Product Code) – A barcode used to track garments in retail.
Glossary Terms: V - Z
Vent – A slit in a garment that allows for movement and comfort.
Viscose – A semi-synthetic fiber made from cellulose, often used as an alternative to silk.
Warp and Weft – The vertical and horizontal threads in woven fabric.
Waterproofing – A treatment applied to fabric to prevent water penetration.
Woven Fabric – Fabric made by interlacing yarns at right angles.
Yoke – A fabric panel that provides structure and shaping, often used in shirts and skirts.
Yield – The amount of fabric needed to produce a garment.
Zigzag Stitch – A back-and-forth stitch used for stretch seams and decorative effects.
Zipper Tape – The fabric portion of a zipper where the teeth are attached.
