fashion illustrated glossary -C-

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Camel hair

The strong, coarse outer hair and the undercoat of the camel or dromedary.

Cloth made from camel hair.

Camisole

A short, light piece , sleeveless garment for women.

Women’s underwear for the top half of the body, with thin straps that go over the shoulders.

Can also be worn as outerwear.

Camp pockets

Pockets that are sewn to the outside of the garment, usually squared off and characterized by seaming.

Cap sleeve

A small, short sleeve which sits on the shoulder, either forming a stiff cap or falling on to the arm to provide minimal coverage.

Capri pants

Fairly straight-cut pants, tapered to the mid-calf.

Cardigan

A usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front.

Cargo pants

Pant characterized by sporting a large pocket usually with a flap and a pleat.

Carpenter pants

Five-pocket pants characterized by a “hammer holder,” a stretch of material connecting the outside seam to the back pocket.

Casualwear

Casual clothes.

Attire worn for sport or for casual wear

Cathedral train/Monarch train

A cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown, for the most formal weddings.

Chalk Stripe

Broad vertical stripe(s).

Chapel train

The most popular of all train lengths, it flows from three to four feet behind the gown.

chemise/skimmer

Simply a straight unbelted dress with varying sleeves and length.

Designed originally to protect the skin from outer garments, it later was used as night wear.

It is a one-piece, loose straight-hanging to the floor undergarment that comes in one size.

Nowadays a chemise may be defined as a short, flowing gown usually with thin straps and an A-line silhouette.

Chiffon

Simply a straight unbelted dress with varying sleeves and length.

Chiffon is a fine, almost transparent fabric of silk, nylon, or other such fabric.

Concealed snap/velcro/button placket

A slit in a garment where closures are hidden.

Velcro is used in shoes and caps too.

Corduroy

French word meaning “Cord of the King.” Cotton fabric featuring vertical wales, which are designated in width as 1/4″ cord (larger wales), 1/8″ cord (smaller wales), high/low (varigated cords), and so on.

Corset

A form-fitting undergarment, often reinforced by stays, usually strapless bodice with boning and either laces or snap closures, styled in the fashion of the ladies undergarment of the same name.

Costume

A costume refers to a distinctive style dress of a particular people, class, or period.

uniform. A Pirate outfit is a costume.

an actor’s clothing; costume should reflect the personality of his/her character.

Cowl neck

A neckline featuring a piece of material attached to a garment at the neck, which may be used as a hood or draped loosely in a swag from shoulder to shoulder at the front neckline or back.

Crew neck

A round neck with ribbed banding that fits close to the base of the neck.

Crinoline

French word (from Italian crinolino and Latin crino or horsehair). A coarse stiff fabric of cotton or horsehair used especially to line and stiffen hats and garments.

A hoop skirt.

A petticoat made of this fabric to enable the bell-like skirts of the early XIX century, now replaced by the bustle.

Cropped pants

Short pants, generally around ankle length.

Crop Top

A top that comes down to just below the breasts.

Cropped top/jacket

Hem is cut just above the waist.

Culotte/Hotpant

A culotte is a perfect everyday alternative and offer comfortable coverage under skirts. They are also popular teamed up with a camisole and worn around as loungewear.

Cummerbund skirt

A skirt with a band in the waist.