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 jacket
A usually collarless sweater or jacket that opens the full length of the center front.
Cargo
Characterized by sporting a large pocket usually with a flap and a pleat.
Carpenter pants/shorts
Five-pocket pants characterized by a "hammer holder," a stretch of material connecting the outside seam to the back pocket.
Cathedral train
(Also known as a monarch train); a cascading train extending six to eight feet behind the gown, for the most formal weddings.
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.
Column skirt/straight skirt
Also referred to as a pencil skirt, this skirt is a straight line with no flare or fullness at the hem or waistline.
Concealed snap/Velcro/button placket
A slit in a garment where closures are hidden.
Convertible collar
A rolled collar that can be worn open or closed. Sewn directly to the neckline.
Corset top/boned bodice
A form-fitting, usually strapless bodice with boning and either laces or snap closures, styled in the fashion of the ladies undergarment of the same name.
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
Petticoats stiffened with horse-hair to enable the bell-like skirts of the early nineteenth century, that was eventually replaced with the bustle.
Cropped top/jacket
Hem is cut just above the waist.
Camisole or "Cami
A short, sleeveless garment for women.
The Cami is like a loose fitting mini-slip that stops at the waist. Besides being worn under sweaters or blouses, the cami is usually paired with a matching panty or even a Tap Pant. The Cami / Tap Pant combination makes a very comfortable yet seductive lounging outfit or pajamas.
Capri Pants
Sometimes called Peddle Pushers, Capri Pants are the current retro fashion from the 1950's. (Some consider Capri Pants must go to mid-calf length, thus being a little longer than Peddle Pushers.) Capri Pants go below the knee, but well above the ankle. Named from the Mediteranean island of Capri.
Catsuit
This piece of apparel is called a Catsuit because it gives the wearer a sleek, cat-like apparence...but you have to give some credit to the character Cat Woman in the Batman comic/TV/movie series for some of its popularity.
Charmeuse
Charmeuse (pronounced shar-MOOSE) is a wahsable, man-made, silk-like fabric. Unlike silk, charmeuse does not have to be dry cleaned...making it a practical substitute for silk in some of today's easy-care lingerie.
Chemise
A Chemise (pronounced shuh-MEESE) is usually a short gown hemmed below the hip but above the knee. Often they come with a matching panty. They are held up by thin spaghetti straps, fit snugly at the bust and upper torso and fall loosely and flow flatterringly past the hips. A Chemise is usually longer than a Baby Doll but shorter than a Dress.
Chiffon
Chiffon (pronounced shuh-FAHN) is a light weight, plain weave, sheer fabric.
Corset
Crop Top
A Crop Top gives the appearance of a T-shirt or tank top that has been "cropped" by having the bottom one third cut off.
Demi-Cups
A Demi-cup Bra has cups (many have Underwires) that support but do not cover the breast...the nipples and the top half of the breasts are exposed. This bra is perfect for plunging necklines, giving you support but leaving lots of bare skin. This style of bra offers great support, while still giving the bra-less look under a sweater or blouse.
Diamond neck
A diamond-shaped cutout that fastens at the front or back neckline.
Dolman sleeve
Cut as an extension of the bodice, the dolman sleeve is designed without a socket for the shoulder, creating a deep, wide armhole that reaches from the waist to a narrowed wrist. Also called a batwing sleeve.
Double-breasted
Having one-half of the front lapped over the other, and usually has a double row of buttons and a single row of buttonholes.
Double-tee top
A layered look with one T-shirt over another.
Draped bodice
An extra piece of material is draped over the bustline.
Dropped waist/low waist
A waistline that is sewn below the body's natural waistline.
Dropped shoulders
Characterized by the shoulder/sleeve seam falling off the shoulder.
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