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BRA From the French word "Brassiere." Undergarment to cover and usually help support a woman's breasts. In the 1920's the breasts were covered with "bandeaus," tight, bust flattening brassieres. The corset of the 1900's was replaced in the 1930's by the "foundation" garment, an all-in-one torso support. By the end of the 1930's, the bra had been detached from the overall foundation into a garment with two cups to cover and support female breasts, with straps over the shoulders and fabric extending around the body with a back closure. The 1960's were characterized by the Feminist Movement and "burn the bra" was a common statement. Thus many women became braless. John Kloss, the designer, is credited with the return of the bra in the 1970's, by designing bras using feminine colors, laces, and other adornment. Bra fronts are of various styles, with full breast cover, demi or partial cover, and plunge, with a deep front opening. Soft bra cups or full support cups are built in to many women's swim suits. Padded Bra Additional fiberfill or other fabric is added to the cups to give more fullness to the wearer.
Soft Cup Powerstretch fabric with cup shaping, and front, or back closure.
Sport Bra Special for active sports, with a tank type front, V or T back for additional comfort when participating in the sport.
Strapless Underwire type bra, lace or fabric cups, and no shoulder straps. Can also be made in a long line to the waist. Otherwise known as a "Merry Widow" which controls the body fullness to the waist.
Underwire A bra with a curved wire under the breasts for added support and to keep the breasts in place. The cups are of stretch fabric and/or lace.
BRACELET Jewelry that circles the wrists, ankle, or upper arm. The origin of bracelets is noted in early Etruscan civilization and is in continual use until present day. Today's bracelets are made of fine jewelry, like metals and gemstones, as well as costume jewelry made of plastics, metals, woods, leathers, beads, etc.
Ankle Bracelet Worn around ankle; from earliest times. Some use currently, as in J.D. bracelet or chain type ankle bracelet.
Bangle Bracelets of defined form, usually round, worn many at a time and making a jangle noise when arm is moved.
Chain Narrow metal bracelets, often woven or braided.
Charm Use of a metal chain of gold or silver from which metal items are hung, such as grandchildren disks, personal event disks, special memory disks, zodiak signs, or coins.
Cuff Wide bracelet that fits the arm, but does not completely encircle. Has opening for putting on and removing.
I.D. Identification bracelet, of metal, with name of wearer engraved. Now worn with medical information about the wearer in case of an emergency situation. Also used as "love" bracelets with names of male and female engraved on bracelet.
Tennis Current name given to a narrow metal bracelet studded with diamonds or diamond-like stones.
Watch Bracelet with watch face(s) on it. In the 1980's, the use of many watch faces on one bracelet was fashionable.
BRAID 1. Woven fabric used as a trim. Braids are generally narrow and of contrasting colors and used for design effect. 2. Used to denote plaits of hair woven into a braid hairstyle.
Middy A flat, narrow contrasting braid used for nautical effect.
Military Usually flat, gold-type braid, used on uniforms or military type apparel.
Rickrack Type of zigzagged, narrow fabric, used for braid effect.
Soutache Flat, narrow braid, usually made into elaborate floral or other designs and sewn to apparel and accessories for design effect.
BREECHES Early term for men's trousers. see Jodphurs.
BRIDAL All clothing and accessories worn by a bride for a wedding.
BUCKLE A clasp to fasten belts and other closures. Usually of metal, self fabric, wood, or plastic, with metal bar or tongue to insert in opposing hole to secure.
BUSTIER Strapless, corsetlike garment. Originally worn under a dress. Made famous as outerwear by a female singer of the 1980's.
BUSTLE Fullness added to women's skirts, either at sides, or back, through the use of metal projections, horse hair, or other padding or fabric.
BUTTONHOLE Opening for button. May be made of self fabric, contrasting fabric or thread to finish off open cut area. Two variations: 1. Machine made with visible stitches. 2. Fabric bound edges.
BUTTONS Plain or decorative fastener to put through a buttonhole or fabric loop. Typical kinds of buttons: shirt buttons with two or four exposed holes; covered button of self fabric or leather; metal or crested-metal button; pearl or pearl-like round button, gem, gemlike, or crystal buttons, wood, plastic, ceramic, hand painted, or other designed buttons.
CAFTAN Of Middle Eastern origin. see Dresses.
CAMEO A broach-type of jewelry, distinguished by the carving of the face, neck and shoulders of a woman, in a raised design on onyx, agate, or shell. This material has layers of different hues; the raised design is of one color and the background of another.
CAMISOLE A decorative short lingerie top, fitting over bust, ending at waist. Early use was to cover corset top.
CAP 1. Head covering that firmly fits the head. Varieties include visor type front, as in baseball and other sport caps, short billed visor, as in Greek and Irish, Dutch boy or men's sport caps, and Touring, men's early automobile cap. Some caps are knitted and fit to the head, as in a ski or child's cap, for cold weather. The Deerstalker cap has visors on both the front and back, with ear flaps, also called the Sherlock Holmes. The bathing cap of rubber or other stretch fabric, covers hair while swimming. 2. see Sleeves
CAPE A circle or partial circle of fabric that covers shoulders, and range from short to ankle length. Used as outerwear for warmth. Long capes may have side openings for arms. Also may be a decorative design detail added to female or children's clothing. When short, called "Capelet."
CARDIGAN Front opening knitted garment named after Earl Cardigan of the' British Army in the 1700's who made the style famous. see also Sweaters.
CASCADE 1. A waterfall design effect achieved by use of bias cut ruf¬fles attached vertically or diagonally to the front of a garment or the use of gathered lace for the same effect. 2. A waterfall design hair style of curls that fall from top of head to back of neck.
CAT SUIT Stretch, sculptured to the body jumpsuit, originally worn by Diana Rigg on The Avengers television series in the 1960's.
CHECK A square design, usually woven into fabric, but may be printed. Design squares of alternating colors, usually one square is white. Buffalo Very large checks. Even As in a checkerboard. Gingham Small checks of color that alternate with white checks. Houndstooth A pointed, uneven check, using twill weave to achieve effect. Windowpane Narrow horizontal and vertical bars, more widely spaced, to give windowpane effect.
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