Next Page (B2)    Apparel Glossary

babushka  a usually triangularly folded kerchief for the head (scarves)

baby blue a pale blue.

baby doll A baby doll in women's clothing is a short, loose-fitting nightgown or negligee that typically ends at or above the knees. It is characterized by its flirtatious and playful design, often featuring a fitted bodice and a flowing skirt. The baby doll nightgown is a blend of comfort, style, and femininity, making it a popular choice in women's intimate apparel.

backpack  made from many varieties of fabric.  However, it is typically made of a sturdy fabric to provide proper support for carrying items.  Often used be students to carry books.  Apparel Search viewers are often found carrying heavy back packs full of fashion magazines, scissors, fabric and thread.  A camping pack, as of canvas or nylon, supported by usually aluminum frame and carried on the back.

backwasher   machine used for washing wool after carding to remove all impurities. It also dries the tops after washing by passing them over steam-heated cylinders, or perforated cylinders through which hot air is forced.

backwashing  removal of the oil which has been put into worsted stock in the blending, oiling and mixing operations when the mix was made up.

backwrap  a wraparound garment, as a skirt, that fastens in the back

back yoke is a piece of fabric that connects the back of a garment to the area of the back across the back shoulders which allows the garment to lie flat while following the reliefs of the body.  This helps ensure a proper drape and appearance of the top. Learn more about shirt yokes.

bag  purse; handbag

bagging  material for bags.

bagwig  bagwig  an 18th century wig with the back hair enclosed in a small silk bag

baize  a coarse woolen or cotton fabric napped to imitate felt.

balaclava   a knit cap for the head and neck [Also called, balaclava helmet]

balcony bra, also known as a balconette bra.. Typically (but not always) you want as much support and coverage as you can get out of your bra. With a scoop or low cut neck tops, this creates a natural fashion conflict. If you are a bra wearer, you need support but you want enough support without the cups showing.  Bra designers figured out a unique approach.  The balcony bra solves the problem by providing more support than you usually get along the bottom and outer area of the bra cups. This effectively causes the breasts to rise and move towards the center of the chest. This also creates cleavage, which usually is desirable with a low cut neck. The balcony bra design reduces the cup coverage across the top and inner area of the breasts. This effectively helps keeps the bra cups from showing above the cut line of the top unless you are wearing something with a severe plunge. The major benefit of a balcony bra is that it provides the wearer with a solution to low cut tops without sacrificing much of the bras required performance.

balbriggan  a knitted cotton fabric used especially for underwear or hosiery.

baldachin  a rich embroidered fabric of silk and gold.

baldric  an often ornamented belt worn over one shoulder to support a sword or bugle.

bale  a package of wool in a standard wool pack to fit order for shipment. May be farm, dumped, or unitized. Common form is the farm bale weighing between 100 and 200 kgs.

balloon sleeve a type of full sleeve.  It is frequently made of lighter or transparent fabrics.

balmacaan   a loose single-breasted overcoat usually having raglan sleeves and a short turnover collar

balmoral    a laced boot or shoe; [Often capitalized] a round flat cap with a top projecting all around

band  a close-fitting strip that confines material at the waist, neck, or cuff of clothing

bandanna  a large figured handkerchief

bandeau  a fillet or band especially for the hair; brassiere.

banded self collar a type of collar made of the same material as the body of the shirt.  Banded collars can be "similated" (made of two pieces) or "true" which are made of four pieces).

bandolier   a belt worn over the shoulder and across the breast.  Also spelled bandoleer.

bangkok   a hat woven of fine palm fiber in the Philippines

bangle   a stiff usually ornamental bracelet or anklet slipped or clasped on

barathea  a fabric that has a broken rib weave and a pebbly texture and that is made of silk, worsted, or synthetic fiber or a combination of these.  fabric has granular texture achieved by the short broken ribs in the filling direction. It is a rich soft-looking, fine fabric.  Used in men's dress ties, cumberbunds.  English in origin and originally made as a mourning cloth.

barb  a medieval cloth headdress passing over or under the chin and covering the neck

Bar Tacks: a stitch made to strengthen a potential weak spot in a garment or other sewn item.  Can be a horizontal stitch that bisects a seam, for added strength and durability.

basinet   a light often pointed steel helmet

basque  a tight-fitting bodice for women

bast fiber  a strong woody fiber obtained chiefly from the phloem of plants and used especially in cordage, matting, and fabrics.

bathing suit  swimsuit

bathrobe  a loose often absorbent robe worn before and after bathing or as a dressing gown

batik  a fabric printed by batik, namely an Indonesian method of hand-printing textiles by coating with wax the parts not to be dyed.

batiste  cotton, also rayon and wool.  Named after Jean Batiste, a French linen weaver.  Light weight, soft, semi-sheer fabric which resembles nainsook, but finer. It belongs to the lawn family; almost transparent. It is made of tightly twisted, combed yarns and mercerized finish. Sometimes it is printed or embroidered.  In a heavier weight, it is used for foundation garments and linings in a plain, figured, striped, or flowered design.  Considered similar to nainsook but finer and lighter in weight.  Now usually made of 100% polyester distinguished by slubs in filling direction.

bay  a garland or crown especially of laurel given as a prize for victory or excellence. Also, a reddish brown color.

bayadere   has brightly colored stripes in the filling direction.  Crosswise rib (plain or twill weave).  Often black warp.  The color effects are usually startling or bizarre.  Mostly produced in India. Name derived from the Bajadere dancing girl of India, dedicated from birth to a dancing life.  The Bayadere costume includes the striped garment, a flimsy scarf or shawl, jeweled trousers, spangles, sequins, anklets. 

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