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absinthe. Light yellowish-green shade, color of the liqueur.

absorbent cotton. Cotton batting without natural oils. Used chiefly for medical purposes.

academic costume. Characteristic dress worn by faculty, students, and graduates of colleges and universities, and by those on whom honorary degrees have been conferred. Costume varies with rank. Consists of long gown, generally black, with long, full sleeves; sometimes a hood draped across shoulders; and a cap or mortarboard. Color of hood de­notes academic degree held by wearer. Costume also worn on official occasions by lawyers, clergy, etc.

acajou. French word for mahogany color. 

acca. Medieval fabric made of silk mixed with gold threads. Probably made in Syria and named for Acre, Syrian sea­port.

accent. Emphasis or prominence given to line or decorative color in costume. 

afternoon dress. Costume for daytime social functions. 

agabanee. Silk­ embroidered cotton fabric, made es­pecially in Syria. 

agal. Decorative fillet usually made of two thick woolen cords wound with gold and silver threads. Traditionally worn by men and women throughout the Arab world and neighboring countries over the KAFFIYEH, to hold it on the head.

agamid. Strong inner bark of a Philippine plant. Used for making coarse cloth and rope.

agate. Striped or cloudy variety of chalcedony, or quartz. Used as ornament on accessories. 

aggrape. Obsolete type of clasp, buckle, hook and eye. See AGRAFFE.

aiguille à tricoter. The French word for a knitting needle. 

aiguillette. Aglet or orna­mental tag; also, trimming of looped cords, as on military and naval uni­forms.

aile. French word meaning wing. 

ailes de pigeon. Powdered side curls, as formerly worn by men. A French term meaning pigeon's wings.

ailette. Protective shoul­der plate of forged iron or steel. Worn as part of medieval armor. Original form of the epaulet, the wide, ornamented shoulder.

Air-conditioned. Trade name applied to cottons treated by chemical process to remove fuzz and thereby increase porosity.

airplane cloth. Firm-textured cloth in plain weave, originally made of un­bleached linen for airplane wings. Since World War I made of cotton in varying weights and colors. Used for light­weight luggage, sports, and work shirts, etc.

à jour or ajour. Drawn work or other open work. French term meaning pierced or show­ing light through.

alabaster. 1. Fine-grained, translucent mineral substance, used for small statues, lamps, etc. May be white or various delicate tints. 2. Having texture or nearly ­white color of alabaster.

albatross. A soft, light-weight, woolen material with a slightly creped surface, similar to bunt­ing. In plain or fancy weave, usually in light colors. Named for the bird because the fabric resembles its downy breast. Used for negligees, dresses, warm nightgowns, and infants' wear.

Albert crepe. Silk and cotton crepe.

Alençon lace. Needle-point lace with solid design on a net ground.

alepine. The French word for bombazine. 

alesan. Light, creamy brown color sometimes called "cafe au lait".

Algerian stripe. Cream-colored fabric with alternate stripes of rough knotted cotton and of silk, woven in imitation of "Moorish cloth".

Alice blue. Medium-light blue, having a very slight greenish cast. The favorite color of Alice Roosevelt (Longworth), worn by her when in the White House.

alliance. The French word for a wedding ring.

alligator. The skin of the water reptile.

amazone or habit d'amazone. A French term meaning riding habit.

amber. 1. Hard, translucent substance, found in the soil. Cloudy amber is yellowish in color; clear amber is a sparkling brown. Used for beads, ornaments, accessories, etc. 2. Yellowish or brown color of amber.

ambergris. A waxy substance of white, grayish, yellow, black, or variegated color, found floating in the ocean in certain tropical regions, or obtained from its source, the sperm whale. Used in the manufacture of perfume and formerly also in cooking.

amener des modes. French expression which means to bring in fashions.

American badger. Coarse, long-haired, creamy white fur with black band just below tip. Used for trimmings.

American Broadtail. Trade name for processed baby lamb.

American cloth. In British usage, sturdy enameled cloth-oilcloth, for example. Used in the household; also, for traveling cases, toilet accessories, etc.

American mink. Brown, durable fur of American wild or ranch-bred mink.

American opossum. Long-haired, fairly durable, gray fur of American opossum.

American sable. Baum marten. Silky, brown, fairly durable fur.

amethyst  1. A clear purple or bluish-violet stone used in jewelry. 2. Violet shade, having more red than blue.

amice. 1. Rectangular piece of linen worn by clergy as Mass vestment, originally over the head, now about the shoulders. 2. Furred hood.

amictus. Toga or any cloak-like outer garment. Worn by ancient Romans.

Amish costume.  Plain habit worn by the Amish women of the Mennonites. Consists of a plain gathered skirt, basque, and bonnet, usually in plain black and without ornament. All Amish garments are tied on, with no modern fasteners of any kind being used.

amulet. Object, usually small piece of stone, bone, metal, etc., worn by the superstitious as protection against evil or bad luck. Common in earlier days; still worn as ornament in some parts of U.S.

anadem. Garland; chaplet; wreath; fillet. Worn on the head as an ornament.

anaglyph.  Ornament in low relief, such as a cameo. Opposite of INTAGLIO.

anamite. The natural, unbleached, neutral color of twine.

angel skin. Dull, waxy, smooth, gardenia-like finish given to certain fabrics such as crepe, lace, or satin. Also called peau d'ange.

angel sleeve. Long, loose, flowing sleeve.

angelus cap. Type of peasant handkerchief cap. 

Angleterre edge or edging. Needle-point edging on braid or cord, made with one line of

loops. (Angleterre is French for England).

Anglo-Saxon embroidery. Ancient outline embroidery.

Angora. 1. Wool of the Angora goat. 2. Fine, soft, fuzzy fabric made of Angora wool.

aniline or anilin. Colorless oily compound, used as the base of coal-tar dyes.

ankle boot. Boot of ankle height.

ankle length. Length of dress or other garment reaching to the anklebone.

anklet. 1. Ornament worn around the ankle. 2. Short hose reaching to the ankle. 

Anne Boleyn costume. Costume of 16th century as worn by Anne Boleyn, one of the wives of Henry VIII. Sometimes seen in fancy dress party costumes of the 1920s-1950s.

annulet. Small ring, especially as used in decoration.

antelope. 1. Soft leather made from antelope skins. 2. Shorthaired coat of small brown African deer.

antelope-finish suede. Sueded leather resembling antelope.

anti-crease. The chemical process of finishing fabric to prevent wrinkling.

antimacassar. Covering or tidy, used to protect the back, arms, and headrests of sofas, chairs, etc. Originally, to prevent soiling by Macassar hair oil, which was much used during the 19th century.

antique. 1. Of another age; applied to any garment or accessory made in ancient style; as, antique jewelry. 2. Used derisively of a garment that is old-fashioned, antiquated, or out of style. 3, Applied to silk woven, printed, or watered with an indistinct design.

antique lace. Darned bobbin lace. 

Antwerp pot lace. Rare bobbin lace with pot of flowers in design.

apparel. Clothing of all sorts; also to clothe or attire. Term applied to the apparel industry, which makes ready-to-wear.

appenzell. Type of drawn-work embroidery.

apron check. Gingham with even checks, popular for aprons. See GINGHAMS.

apron dress. A dress having an apron-like skirt, tied at the waist and open in back.

apron tunic. Long or short open ornamental tunic worn apron-fashion.

aquamarine. 1. Variety of beryl used as a semiprecious stone. Comes in blue, blue-green,

or green color. 2. Clear, light, green-blue color.

arabesque. Intricate design showing flowers, foliage, figures, etc., composed of interlaced lines in scroll effect. Usually made with cords, stitchery, or applied and outlined pieces.

Arabian. Having the characteristic features of what was formerly labeled as "Arabian dress", general type of romanticized and costume notion which consists of loose, wide trousers, covered by ankle-length robe; loose, coat-like outer garment; square mantle; rich, colorful fabrics, and embroidery; slippers or sandals; kerchief headdress for men; veil for women. Typically associated with Arabian Nights and later, Disney's Alladin film.

Arabian embroidery. An elaborate form of embroidery typically attributed to Asia and the Middle East.

Arabian lace. A coarse, dark needle-point lace.

araneum. Same as ANTIQUE LACE.

arc. Any part of the line that is used in forming a circle.

arctic. A high, waterproof overshoe. 

arctic fox. Fur of arctic fox, either white or blue.

arctic wolf. Coarse, durable fur of white wolf. 

ardoisé. A French word meaning slate-colored.

argent. The French word for silver.

Argentan lace. Alençon type of lace, bold in design.

argentine.  A substance of silvery luster made from fish scales. Used in making imitation pearls.

argentine cloth. Glazed tarlatan or open-weave cheesecloth, glazed to make

it dust-proof.

arisard. Tunic-like garment girdled at the waistline. Formerly and traditionally worn by women in Scotland.

arm band. Band of cloth worn around the arm; especially, a band worn on sleeve for mourning or identification purposes.

Armenian lace. Narrow, scalloped, knotted, needle-made lace.

armet. Hinged helmet snugly shaped to the head, closing neatly over chin and neck.

armhole. Hole in garment for the arm; line on which set-in sleeve is sewn to garment; measurement where arm joins body.

armil. Older term for bracelet.

armilausa. Medieval cloak.

armlet. 1. Ornamental band worn on upper arm; distinguished from bracelet worn on lower arm. 2. Small, short sleeve. 

armor. Covering for the body, usually formerly metal (later Kevlar) used as protection in battle.

armozeen or armozine. Heavy plain corded silk fabric. Used in the 16th century and following for dresses and waistcoats; now used chiefly for scholastic and clerical robes. Also spelled armazine, amazeen.

armscye. Opening for a sleeve; a less commonly-used term for armhole.

armure. 1. Stiff, rich-looking dress material woven plain, striped, ribbed, or with a small fancy design, sometimes in two colors. Made of silk, wool, cotton, rayon, or combinations of fibers. Used for linings, skirts, suits. From French armour, meaning armor; so called because pattern suggested chain armor. 2. Drapery fabric in Jacquard weave with raised satin figure on rep or twill ground. Made of silk, cotton, wool, rayon, or mixture.

arras. 1. Tapestry in-woven with figures and scenes, needle- or loom-made. So called because first made at Arras, France. 2. Type of bobbin lace. 

arrasene embroidery. Type of chenille embroidery.

array. To clothe or dress, especially in asymmetric impressive attire; to adorn. 

art needlework. 1. Materials for needlework, such as stamped goods, designs, linens, threads, etc. 2. Store department selling supplies for all types of needlework. 

artois. Long, loose cloak. 

art silk. Type of finely woven silk on which one paints or embroiders.

art ticking. Same as regular ticking, but with a printed design. 

ascot. 1. Broad neck scarf, usually double. Tied so that ends come horizontally on each side of the knot, then cross diagonally. Worn by men and fastened with scarf-pin. 2. Double scarf that is informally looped under the chin. Worn by men and women. Named for Ascot Heath, in England, the scene of horse races frequented by fashionable English people.

Assisi embroidery. Type of cross-stitch embroidery.

assure. French word meaning woof or texture.

astrakhan or astrachan.  1. Heavy fabric knitted or woven with a deep-pile surface of curled

loops to resemble caracul fur. 2. Name formerly used for caracul fur.

asymmetric or asymmetrical. One-sided, not symmetrical or balanced; often, down much

more on one side than the other.

atelier. Large dressmaking establishment, particularly one of the famous French dressmakers. French word meaning workroom or studio.

atours. French word meaning dress, apparel, ornaments, etc., worn by women.

atrous. A color referring to Jet Black.

attaché case. Briefcase or traveling case, sometimes fitted with writing or toilet accessories.

Carried by attaches.

attachments. Sewing-machine appliances for hemming, tucking, quilting, pinking, binding, braiding, etc. Some are called by the trade name, Fashion Aids.

attar. Perfume obtained by distilling flower petals, chiefly rose.

attifet. French word meaning: 1. Ornament for head. 2. Small 16th-century bonnet having a point over the forehead.

attire. Complete costume or clothing. especially rich, ornamental dress; also, to dress in such clothing.

auburn. Dark copper brown shade with golden cast; generally used to describe hair color.

Aubuason-stitch. Vertical canvas stitch; same as REP-STITCH.

au fait. A French phrase meaning expert, skilled, thoroughly conversant. Literally, to the fact or act. Sometimes incorrectly used for "comme il faut", meaning proper, in good form.

au fond. French phrase meaning fundamentally, essentially; literally, at the bottom.

august. To turn brown or tan, make sunburned.

au naturel. A French phrase meaning in or according to a natural manner or condition; also,

in the nude.

aune. Old French measure which means 45 inches. Used for fabric.

aureate. 1. Golden or yellow-gold in color. 2. Of or like gold in resplendence.

auricomoua. Golden-haired; used of anything making the hair golden in color.

aurulent. Golden in color.

Australian opossum. Fairly long, durable fur of the phalanger, shading from light brown underfur to silvery gray on top.