Taylor Communications Apparel

The Taylor Touch

Glossary Of Terms

1x1 Rib Knit.
Slim-fitting, narrow rib knit with a soft, fine hand.
2x1 Rib Knit.
Stretchable textured rib knit that can be worn by itself or layered with other garments.
2-Way Zipper.
Two pulls on single zipper allows garment to be zipped/unzipped in either direction.
Air Jet Yarn.
Yarn produced in an open-ended spinning process that utilizes jets of air to twist the fibers.
All-Weather Microfiber.
Tightly woven fabric made with fine-finished suede poly thread and treated with a waterproof coating.
American National Standards Institute (ANSI).
Organization that promotes standards for both industry and government.
ANSI Class 2.
A standards designation used to identify garments where greater visibility is necessary to safeguard workers.
ANSI Class 3.
A standards designation used to identify garments where maximum visibility is necessary to safeguard workers.
Antimicrobial.
A natural or chemically treated garment resistant to the secretions of the human body.
Anti-Pill Finish.
Treatment applied to a fabric surface to resist the formation of tiny fabric balls resulting from rubbing or abrasion.
Arc Rating.
A measure of the protective characteristics of a fabric; higher Arc Rating = greater protection.
Articulation.
A garment design detail intended to maximize mobility and ease of movement.
Athleisure.
Style of athletic-inspired clothing often worn beyond the gym environment.
ATPV (Arc Thermal Protective Value).
Identifies the resistance of a garment to catching fire; higher ATPV = greater protection.
Baby Pique Knit.
Knitting technique that results in a small waffle weave pattern.
Carded Ring Spun Cotton.
Yarns that have varying fiber lengths; they differ from combed yarns which have uniform lengths.
Casual Microfiber.
Made from fine polyester thread, a tightly woven fabric often used to create water repellent/wind resistant clothing.
Chambray.
Plain woven fabric containing a colored warp and white filling yarns; usually made of cotton, silk, or manufactured fibers.
Chin Guard.
Fabric fold placed under the chin at a zipper end to prevent abrasion.
Collar.
Neckband found on a garment that can be folded-over or remain upright.
Collar Stand.
Placed around the neck and between the collar and shirt, its finished edge falls over the neck edge to give a smooth look.
Colorfast.
The ability of a dyed fabric to resist color fading.
Combed Ring Spun Cotton.
High quality, uniform yarns made from long fibers arranged in parallel order and noted for their strength and fineness.
Cord Lock.
Stop used on a drawcord to prevent it from being pulled into a garment.
Corduroy.
Cloth made of cotton, polyester, or other synthetic blends recognized for its ribbing feature which can range from wide to narrow.
Cotton.
Vegetable fiber obtained from the cotton plant seedpod.
Cotton Count.
Measure of thread density; higher count = finer yarn.
Coverseamed.
Parallel rows of visible stitching used to give a garment a cleaner, more finished look.
Critically Seam-Sealed.
Waterproof tape is placed at select seams such as hood, shoulders, or armholes to keep water out.
Cuff.
Sleeve end that encircles the wrist or a trouser leg hem.
Enzyme Washed.
Use of a catalytic substance to chemically change the makeup of a fabric, resulting in a smoother surface and less shrinkage.
Epaulet.
Fabric strip or loop added to the shoulder of a garment.
Ergonomic.
Use of design elements in a garment to enhance its comfort, performance, or the health of the wearer.
Etched Tone Button.
Horn tone button having an etched pattern.
Extended Tail (see Drop Tail).
Eyelets.
Series of holes or perforations finished with grommets or stitches and used to make a garment more breathable.
EZCotton™.
100% cotton pique; popular due to its resistance to shrinkage, wrinkling, pilling, and fading.
Fill Power.
The loft or fluff of a down garment; higher fill power = more insulating ability.
Garment Dyed.
Coloring a garment after it is assembled rather than using materials that are dyed before the assembly process begins.
Garment Washed.
Use of softeners to relax cotton fibers; the resultant fabric appears thicker and is less prone to shrinkage.
Grosgrain.
Closely woven fabric featuring narrow, horizontal stripes often used in neckties, ribbons, etc.
Hand.
The tactile characteristics of a fabric as expressed by its feel to the touch.
Herringbone.
Fabric with a prominent zig-zag or chevron pattern.
Insulated Jacket.
Garment using down, fleece, or synthetic fibers as an insulator and designed to hold body heat in and keep cold out.
Interlock Knit.
Two-ply fabric simultaneously knit to form one thicker ply; commonly used in knit shirts.
Linen.
Fabric made from the stem of the flax plant; stronger than cotton, it is very breathable and has good absorbent qualities.
Locker Loop.
Small loop of fabric commonly sewn on the inside of a garment near the neck so it can be hung on a hook.
Matte Taslan.
Dull-finish, nylon fabric having water repellant qualities; often used in outerwear.
Melange.
Multi-colored yarns knit together which create a heather look.
Mesh.
Openly spaced, net-like fabric used in knit, lace, or crochet applications.
Microfiber.
Tightly woven fabric with a suede finish made from fine polyester thread; has excellent wind resistance and water repellant qualities.
Microfleece.
Lightweight fleece made of ultra-fine yarn; provides exceptional warmth without bulk.
Mid-Layer.
Breathable fabric layer sandwiched between the base and outer layers that traps warm air.
Mid Profile.
Headwear having a silhouette that falls between Low and High Profiles.
Open-End Cotton.
Yarns made without a spindle.
Ottoman.
Tightly woven, horizontal raised-rib textured knit.
Outer Layer.
Topmost fabric layer resistant to wind and water.
Overdyed.
Process in which an additional dye color is added to existing yarn-dyed fabrics or piece-dyed garments to yield more colors.
Oxford.
Lightweight woven cotton or cotton blend fabric with a 2x1 basket weave variation often used in dress shirts.
Patch Pocket.
Pocket separately applied to the outside of a garment.
Peached.
Soft, velvet-like surface texture achieved by lightly sanding or brushing a fabric.
Peak Lapel.
Lapel in which the edges dramatically point upward to the shoulders.
Pearlized Buttons.
Buttons having a pearl hue.
Pewter Buttons.
Buttons having a dull, metallic hue.
Picot.
Ornamental edging consisting of small loops often found on lace and ribbon material.
Pewter and Horn Tone Buttons.
Buttons having both pewter and horn hues, often with one color surrounding the other.
Piece Dyed.
Knitted or woven fabric that is colored prior to being assembled into a garment.
Pigment-Dyed.
Dye process that creates a distressed or washed look and results in muted color tones.
Pilling.
Small fiber balls that form on a fabric surface as a result of rubbing or abrasion.
Pique Knit.
Fine-textured surface knit with a waffle-like weave pattern.
Quilting.
Fiberfill interior sandwiched between two layers of fabric and sealed by patterned stitching.
Raglan Sleeves.
Sleeve set with a diagonal seam that runs from the neck to the underarm allowing for greater movement.
Rapid Dry™ Technology.
Unique weave specifically designed to wick moisture away from the body.
Rayon.
Cellulose-based manufactured fiber having a soft hand.
Reverse Coil Zipper.
Zipper whose teeth do not show when seen from the front.
Reverse Placket.
Commonly used in women’s garments, placket buttons are placed on the opposite side of those typically found on men’s garments.
Sandwashed.
Fabric washed with fine lava rocks or rubber/silicon balls making it softer and giving it a relaxed appearance.
Scoop Neck.
Round, deep neckline commonly used on women’s blouses.
Sculpted Hem.
Rounded fabric hem designed to be left untucked.
Seam Sealing.
Treatment used to ensure garment seams are tight and waterproof.
Self-Fabric Collar.
Collar made from the same material as the garment body.
Self-Fabric Sweatband.
Fabric panel on a cap front made of the same material as the cap crown.
Serge.
Technique used to prevent unraveling of a fabric’s cut edge.
Set-In Sleeve.
Sleeve sewn into the shoulder seam.
Sherpa Fleece.
Knit terry fabric that is brushed/washed to raise its fibers giving it a plush feel.
Side-Seamed Tee.
Traditional tee construction technique with two large front and back fabric panels stitched together and collar and sleeves attached separately.
Side Vents.
Slits placed at the bottom of side seams for ease of movement.
Silk Touch™.
65% polyester/35% cotton pique blend fabric that is soft and durable.
Silk Touch™ Performance.
100% polyester double knit fabric that is breathable and has good wicking and colorfast properties.
Singles.
Diameter of a yarn; smaller number = thicker yarn.
Slash Pockets.
Garment pockets that are accessed via diagonal or vertical slits.
Soft Shell.
Outer shell fabric bonded to a fleece or knit layer that is breathable and provides flexibility.
Soft Spun Cotton.
Open-end yarn having additional twist and a soft exterior.
Spandex.
Highly stretchable elastometric fabric that retains its flexibility even after repeated use.
Sport-Wick® Fleece.
Fleece with anti-static properties and whose inner layers wick moisture.
Stain Release.
Fabric treated to free stains when washed.
Stain Resist.
Fabric treated to easily shed stains and spills.
Stonewashed (see Sandwashed).
Underarm Grommets.
Small openings placed in the armpits to make a garment more breathable.
Unstructured.
Low profile cap with an unsupported crown that slopes.
UV-Protective Fabric.
Fabric that resists color fading and protects the wearer’s skin from ultraviolet rays.
Waffle Knit.
Square pattern knit into a garment.
Waffle Weave.
Square pattern woven into a garment.
Waterproof.
Measure of the ability of a fabric to keep moisture out; higher rating = greater protection.
Water Repellant.
Ability of a fabric to shed moisture.
Water Resistant.
Fabric that resists moisture and allows air to pass through; performs well in moderate storm conditions.
Weathered Twill.
Dye process that gives a weathered appearance.
Welded Pockets.
Seams bonded together without stitching.
Welt Collar/Cuffs.
Finished edge, single ply fabric commonly used on collars and cuffs.
Yarn Dyed.
Yarn that is colored prior to the knitting or weaving of a garment.
Yoke.
Garment part fitted close to the shoulders; may be placed on the front or back.
3-in-1 Jacket.
Jacket with two separable layers either of which can be worn alone or zipped together for added warmth and comfort.
4-Needle Stitching.
Parallel-row, visible stitching created with four needles, commonly used to give garments a finished, clean appearance.
4-Way Stretch.
Fabric that is supple and can be easily stretched both lengthwise and crosswise.
Back Yoke.
Piece of fabric connecting the back of the garment with the shoulders.
Bartack.
A bar of stitches used to reinforce a seam.
Base Layer.
The layer of fabric touching the skin; its purpose is to wick away body moisture.
Bias Cut.
Fabric cut on the diagonal which results in greater stretch and better draping and form fitting possibilities.
Blanket Stitch.
Decorative stitch used to finish an un-hemmed blanket.
Blend.
Yarn or fabric comprised of two or more fiber types.
Bonded Fleece.
Multiple fleece layers joined together to give a highly adaptable garment.
Bonding.
Use of a chemical agent to permanently join two fabric layers.
Box Pleat.
Single, uniform fold in the center back of a garment.
Breathability.
A measure of the ability of air to move from one side of a fabric to the other.
Brushed.
Raised nap or texture created by brushes; commonly used on knit or woven fabrics.
Button-Down Collar.
Type of collar in which small buttons are used to attach the collar wings to the front of a shirt.
Button-Through Sleeve Placket.
Slit on a sleeve cuff that allows a single button to pass through and close the sleeve.
Deboss.
Impression made in the fabric surface and used for decorative purposes.
Denier.
Measurement system used to determine the weight of a continuous filament fiber; lower number = finer fiber.
Dobby.
Decorative weave, often a geometric pattern, woven into a fabric.
Dolman Sleeve.
Tapered sleeve originating from a large armhole and gradually terminating at the wrist; typically cut in two piece with the garment body.
Double Knit.
Double-thick circular knit fabric created on a double needle frame.
Double-Needle Stitching.
Parallel rows of visible stitching often used on a hem or sleeve to give a garment a more finished look.
Down.
Soft under feathers of ducks and geese; commonly used in outerwear for its superior insulation properties.
Dri-Mesh Polyester.
Highly breathable fabric made up of two layers of polyester mesh.
Drop Needle.
Cloth fabric with vertical lines running through it created by dropping a needle on the fabric surface.
Drop Tail.
Extended-length back often found on shirts and blouses for the purpose of keeping them tucked in.
Dry Ztwo Technology.
Use of a two-layer polyester fabric which serves to wick moisture away from the skin.
Duck Cloth.
Tightly woven fabric with a hard, durable finish that resists wind and snags.
Durable Water Repellent (DWR).
Coating applied to a garment’s outer fibers to keep moisture from penetrating.
Dyed-to-Match.
Trims or buttons that are color-matched to the overall garment color.
Flat Collar/Cuffs.
Finished edge, single ply fabric commonly used on short sleeve and sport shirts.
Flatlock Stitching.
Use of machine stitching to join and cover two unfinished fabric edges.
Flexfit.
Originally, a hat featuring a stretchable sweatband.
French Cuff.
Double-layered shirt cuff that is folded back and fastened with cuff links.
French Terry Cotton.
Knit jersey cloth having pile loops on one side and a brushed finish on the reverse.
Full Cut.
Garment having an ample, roomy fit.
Fully Fashioned.
Garment contoured to the shape of the human body.
Fully Seam-Sealed (see Critically Seam-Sealed).
High Profile.
Hat or cap with a prominent slope silhouette; typically has a stiff lining to provide structure.
Hook and Loop.
Commonly known as Velcro®, a system which uses both rough and smooth fabric surfaces that mate with each other and can be used repeatedly to fasten/unfasten materials.
Horn Tone Buttons.
Buttons that give the appearance of genuine horn.
Houndstooth.
Knit fabric having a broken check effect.
Jacquard Knit.
Intricate pattern, often using two or more colors, knitted directly into a fabric.
Jersey Knit.
Fabric with a smooth, flat face and textured, uniform back.
Locker Patch.
Support panel sewn into the inside back of a garment to minimize stretching when hung on a hook.
Low Profile.
Hat or cap with a silhouette fitted close to the head; may be structured or unstructured.
Modern Stretch Cotton.
Stretchable fabric made up of 96% cotton and 4% spandex blend.
Nailhead.
Jacquard knitting pattern that resembles small nail heads.
Nap.
Soft fiber ends that extend above a fabric surface giving it a fur-like feel.
Neckband.
Fabric strip sewn around the inside of the neck.
Non-Iron.
Chemically treated fabric that resists wrinkling.
Notch Lapel.
V-shaped space where the collar bottom meets the lapel top at a 75-90 degree angle.
Nylon.
High strength synthetic fiber with good elasticity and low absorbency.
Pit Zips.
Zippers positioned in the armpits to aid with ventilation.
Placket.
Garment part that enables the wearer to fasten or button it together.
Pleat.
Flat, narrow fold made by overlapping fabric and pressing or sewing the material together.
Ply.
Two or more yarns that have been intertwined.
Polyester.
High strength synthetic fabric with low absorbency; dries quickly.
Poly-Filled.
Polyester lining often used in outerwear.
Polypropylene.
Light, durable thermoplastic resin used in fabrics, packaging, coatings, and in other applications.
Ponte Knit.
Stable knit that is both flexible and versatile.
Popcorn Pique.
Baby pique and pique knits arranged in alternating rows that give the appearance of small circles knitted together.
Poplin.
Tight-weave cotton or cotton blend that is durable; made using a rib variation of the plain weave.
Port Pocket™ Access.
Zipper entry pocket that enables hooping and embroidering without marring the inside lining of a garment.
PosiCharge Mesh®.
Dye process that uses positively charged ions to color polyester fibers resulting in bleed-resistant, colorfast fabrics.
Pre-Shrunk.
Treatment applied in the manufacturing process that reduces fabric or garment shrinkage.
Princess Seams.
Short, stitched folds that taper to a point.
PVC.
Polyurethane coating used to make garments resistant to water.
Rib Knit.
Elastic textured knit giving the appearance of having vertical lines.
Rib-Stop Nylon.
Lightweight, plain-weave fabric made from large rib yarns that is both wind and water resistant.
Ring Spun.
Yarn made by continuously twisting and thinning a cotton fiber rope resulting in greater strength and softer hand.
R-Tek® Fleece.
Lightweight polyester microfleece with a soft hand and a finish designed to resist pilling.
Ruching.
French term meaning to gather, ruffle, or pleat a fabric.
Running Stitch.
Equally spaced stitch; underside is half the length of the external side.
Storm Flap.
Fabric cover used to protect critical parts of a garment, such as a zipper, from the elements.
Structured.
The use of buckram lining to shape the slope of headwear.
Sublimation.
Printing technique using ink, heat, and pressure to transfer an image onto a polyester fabric.
Sueded.
Brushing process that raises a fabric’s nap and results in a soft feel.
Super Heavyweight Fleece.
Fleece made of 80% spun combed cotton and 20% polyester.
Taped Seams.
Fabric strip sewn on a garment seam to provide reinforcement and protection.
Taslan.
Durable, somewhat shiny nylon fabric noted for its water repellent properties.
Teklon.
Nylon fabric having stronger properties than Taslan.
Terra-Tek™ Nylon.
Matte finish, water repellent nylon.
Terry Velour.
Soft cotton fabric having uncut pile on one side and cut pile on the other; highly absorbent and commonly used for towels and robes.
Thumbholes.
Cuff openings that cover the palms and back of hands and provide warmth.
Tie-Dye.
Technique of creating patterns by tying parts of a fabric to mask them from dye.
Tricot.
Knit fabric made of natural or synthetic fibers having vertical ribs on the face and horizontal ribs on the reverse.
Tricot Lining.
Lightweight nylon fabric often used in short pants.
Triple-Needle Stitched.
Parallel rows of visible stitching created with three needles that give a sleeve or hem more durability and a finished look.
Tubular Collar.
Seamless collar knitted as a tube.
Tuck-In Tail.
Shirt having an extended back hem that helps keep it tucked in.
Tuck Stitch.
Stitches placed under other stitches giving a garment a waffle weave appearance.
Tulip Hem.
Overlapping fabric pieces arranged to give a hem the appearance of a tulip petal.
Twill.
Fabric with tiny diagonal ribs that result in a smooth, soft finish.
Twill Tape.
Tape attached to the inside of a placket.
Two Ply.
Yarn composed of two strands or layers; adds weight and durability.
V Patch.
V-shaped material sewn under a collar to minimize stretching the neck.
Vent.
Garment opening that aids in breathability.
Wickability.
Ability of a fiber or fabric to disperse moisture and aid evaporation.
Wicking.
The spreading or dispersal of moisture through capillary action.
Wind Resistant.
Ability of a fabric to resist the penetration of wind.
Wind Shirt.
Outerwear garment that is wind and water resistant.
Wood Tone Buttons.
Buttons that give the appearance of wood.
Wool.
Fiber or fabric made from fleece or animal hair; often, but not limited to, sheep or lamb.
Woven.
Interlaced fabric where two or more sets of yarns are positioned at right angles to each other.
Yupoong.
Company that originated the Flexfit® hat.
Zipper Garage (see Chin Guard).
WordPress Lightbox