Armscye- Early term for armhole
Basques - Woman’s bodice extending below the waistline
Bodice- The close-fitting upper part of a dress, covering the chest and back above the waist.
Bones- Used for shaping and stiffening. Made of whalebone. Also called Stays
Braid- Narrow woven band for use of trimming, binding or outlining lace and embroidery
Bustle- Pad cushion or arrangement of steel springs creating a bulbous projection below the
waist in the back of a woman’s dress. Also called a Tournure
waist in the back of a woman’s dress. Also called a Tournure
Corset- stiffened bodice for shaping the figure, generally heavily boned
Corset Cover- Waist-length gathered top with straps worn over the corset.
Chemise- Linen garment worn next to the skin
Cuirass- Extremely tight boned woman’s daytime bodice extending down over hips to mold the
body
body
Dart- Sewing term for v-shaped tuck
Drawers- Underpants
Dropped Shoulder- Shoulder or garment extending over upper arm making a lowered sleeve seam
Empire Waist- high waistband just under the bosom, defined by an inserted piece of fabric or seam.
Gore- Skirt section, wider at hem than top, providing fullness and shaping waist without darts.
Sewing term for triangular insert of fabric that creates fullness, used in skirts
Sewing term for triangular insert of fabric that creates fullness, used in skirts
Hobble Skirt- Woman’s skirt rounded over hips, tapered to the ankle so narrowly that walking is impeded
Hoop Skirt- Framework for horizontal circular metal bands held together with vertical strips of tape
Oval Hoop- Hoop skirt but in an oval shape; being larger in the back
Mantle- Long loose, sleeveless cloak, cape-like