Textile Glossary

Time to learn more about fashion and textiles from the fabulous fashion glossary by Apparel Search.

obi   a broad sash worn especially with a Japanese kimono

ocher  the color of ocher, especially the color of yellow ocher.

off-white  a yellowish or grayish white.

oilcloth cloth treated with oil or paint and used for table and shelf coverings.

oilskin an oiled waterproof cloth used for coverings and garments.   An oilskin raincoat; (plural) an oilskin suit of coat and trousers

old gold  a dark yellow.

old rose a variable color averaging a grayish red

old school tie   a necktie displaying the colors of an English public school

olefin fiber  is a manufactured fiber in which the fiber-forming substance is any long-chain synthetic polymer composed of at least 85% by weight of ethylene, propylene, or other olefin units. Olefin fiber is a generic description that covers thermoplastic fibers derived from olefins, predominately aliphatic hydrocarbons. Olefins are products of the polymerization of propylene and ethylene gases. Polypropylene (PP) and polyethylene (PE) are the two most common members of the family.

olive any of several colors resembling that of the unripe fruit of the olive tree that are yellow to
yellow green in hue, of medium to low lightness and of moderate to low saturation.

olive drab  wool or cotton fabric of an olive drab color, namely a grayish olive.  A uniform of olive drab, namely a wool or cotton fabric of an olive drab color, namely a grayish olive.   Grayish olive.

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opera   hat a man's collapsible top hat

orange  any of a group of colors that lie midway between red and yellow in hue and are of medium lightness and moderate to high saturation.

orangish somewhat orange.

orangy  resembling or suggestive of an orange as in color.

orchid  a light purple.

organdy  a very fine transparent muslin with a stiff finish.   Some has lappet, swivel, or flocked designs.  Made with tightly twisted yarns.  Crispness is due to a finish with starch and calendering which washes out, or a permanent crispness obtained with chemicals (Heberlein process).  Wrinkles badly unless given a wrinkle-free finish (bellmanizing).  May be bleached, dyed, printed, frosted, flocked, embroidered, or plisse.  Used for fussy children's wear, trims, collars and cuffs, baby's wear, bonnets, artificial flowers, dolls clothes, millinery, summer formals, blouses, curtains, bedspreads, aprons.

organza  a sheer dress fabric resembling organdy and usually made of silk, rayon, or nylon.  Fine, sheer, lightweight, crisp fabric.   It has a very wiry feel.  It crushes or musses fairly easily, but it is easily pressed.  Dressy type of fabric, sometimes has a silvery sheen.  Used in trimming, neckwear, millinery, and underlinings for delicate, sheer materials, as well as an underlining for other fabrics that require a bit of stiffness without weight.

organzine  a raw silk yarn used for warp thread in fine fabrics.

orlon (trademark) used for an acrylic fiber.

orphrey   an ornamental border or band especially on an ecclesiastical vestment

ottoman  heavy in weight - larger rib than both faille and bengaline.  Very pronounced flat ribs in the filling direction.   Ribs are made by a cotton, worsted, silk, or rayon filling which does not show on either the face or the back, because the warp covers the filling entirely.  Is called Ottoman Cord or Ottoman rib when a warp rib is employed.  fabric is stiff and connot be gathered or shirred.  Like other ribbed fabrics, it has a tendency to slip at the seams and crack, so it cannot be fitted too tightly.

outercoat   coat

outerwear   clothing for outdoor wear.

outfit wearing apparel with accessories usually for a special occasion or activity

outing flannel a flannelette sometimes having an admixture of wool.

overall   [Archaic] loose protective trousers worn over regular clothes; [Plural] trousers of strong material usually with a bib and shoulder straps; [Chiefly British] a loose-fitting protective smock worn over regular clothes

overblouse   a usually fitted or belted blouse worn un-tucked

overcoat   a warm coat worn over indoor clothing

overgarment   an outer garment

overplaid  a fabric with an over-plaid design, namely a textile design consisting of a plaid pattern superimposed on another plaid or on a textured ground.

overshirt   a shirt usually worn over another shirt without being tucked in

overskirt   a skirt worn over another skirt

overshoe   an outer shoe, especially a galosh

oxblood  a moderate reddish brown.

oxford   a low shoe laced or tied over the instep.  A soft durable cotton or synthetic fabric with a silky luster made in plain or basket weaves; also called oxford cloth.  Warp has two fine yarns which travel as one and one heavier softly-spun bulky filling which gives it a basket-weave look.  Better qualities are mercerized. rather heavy.  Usually is all white but some has a spaced stripe in the warp direction.  Launders very well but soils easily.  When made with yarn dyed warp and white weft, it is called oxford chambray.  The one remaining commercial shirting material made originally by a Scotch mill which bore the names of four Universities - Oxford, Cambridge, Harvard, and Yale.

oyster  a grayish-white color.

Textile Glossary

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