Ever wonder what the difference is between a shift dress and a sheath dress? Never really understood the whole "Couture" thing? Use our Style Vocab resource to brush up on some commonly used fashion terms and phrases and improve your fashion IQ - because hey, it takes more than just great clothes to be stylish!

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Baby-Doll

The Baby-Doll style was first popularized by the movie Baby Doll starring Carroll Baker in 1956. Originally worn as a negligee, the baby-doll style has matured over the years into a dress form of it's very own. The style generally features an empire waist cut, and a hemline that falls to about mid thigh.

Ballerina Flat

Ballerina Flats are heelless shoes inspired in their design by ballet slippers. They are usually slip on in their design, and are sometimes called "Skimmers".

Bandeau Top

A strapless top formed from a band of fabric fitting around the bust. Commonly called a "Tube Top".

Bell-Bottoms

Bell-bottoms are trousers styled with a flared cut that becomes dramatically wider from the knees down. Bell-bottoms became very fashionable in the late 1960s and much of the 1970s for both for men and women, during the Hippie movement - and have had a moderate persistence in fashion since then.

Besom Pockets

A Besom Pocket is a "set-in" pocket (meaning, the pocket opening is cut into the garment rather than applied - "set-on" - like a patch pocket) that is finished and strengthened with "piping" or fabric "welts" along its length.

Bespoke Tailoring

Bespoke Tailoring describes the process of creating clothing according to a unique buyers specifications. This means the buyer gets to choose exactly which fabrics, colors, cuts, and styles are used, and it guarantees that their garment will truly be one of a kind. Bespoke clothing differs from made-to-measure clothing, or ready-to-wear, in that it is truly custom made.

Boat Neckline

A Boat Neck, also called a bateau neck, refers to a wide neckline that runs horizontally, front and back, almost to the shoulder points, across the collarbone.

Bohemian

Bohemian refers to a style trend characterized by ethnic inspired clothing, shoes and accessories, combined with lots of layering and a laid back vibe. Bohemian, also know as the boho or bo-ho chic style, has been popularized by celebrities such as Sienna Miller, Kate Hudson, Nicole Richie, and the Olsen Twins.

Bolero

A very short women's jacket that is worn open in the front.

Bootcut

Slim fitted jeans or pants that are contoured throughout the hips and thigh, and flare out slightly below the knee down to the hem. Brands such as Seven for All Mankind, Citizens of Humanity, J. Brand, and Joe's Jeans are especially well know for their bootcut denim.

Bouclé

Boucle is an uneven yarn made with threads of varying looseness. The result is a luxe, nubby texture fabric that is commonly used for dress suits, skirt suits, and blazers.

Bias Cut

Fabric that is cut against the grain at a 45 degree angle is considered Bias Cut. Using a bias cut allows the fabric to fully stretch, and lends designers the ability to create garments that accentuate a woman's curves while maintaining a fluid drape in the fabric.