In this blog post, we will explore the various fashion terms that start with the letter G. The list is not exhaustive and there are many more terms that can be found by searching online or in a dictionary. What is important to remember about these terms is that they are all related to fashion in some way. Most of them either denote something about how clothes should be worn (e.g., “a gown” means it must be worn on your body) or describe what clothing looks like (e.g., “bodice”). Please enjoy!
- Gingham – a type of check, usually red and white; also called “gingham” or “giant checks”
- Giraffe print – seen on clothing as well as textiles, these prints include giraffes, leaves, flowers etc. Giraffe prints are not naturally occurring patterns but human-made designs; they can be found in various colors (green often appears)
- Georgian colla r- this type of collar has small points at the front which meet behind one’s neck to form an inverted V shape; it was popularized by Queen Victoria during her reign over Great Britain. The collar was created during the Georgian period
- Garter belt – a type of foundation garment (worn beneath clothing), typically worn over panties and nylons; these belts had garter attachments and were typical in women’s underwear.
Fashion Terms Starting with Letter G
A high-necked blouse worn under a low-necked dress, visible at the neckline and sleeves—a garment of modesty that paradoxically draws attention to precisely the area it is designed to cover. The guimpe was a staple of women’s fashion in the...
A sleeveless jacket or waistcoat, typically padded or quilted—a garment of practicality that has crossed from outerwear to fashion layering, acquiring in the process a surprising degree of versatility. The gilet originated as a men’s waistcoat in eighteenth-century France, worn...
A long, close-fitting glove that extends beyond the wrist, originally made of leather or metal for armor—a garment whose name has entered the language as a metaphor for challenge, protection, and the willingness to engage. The gauntlet was an essential...
A medium-weight plain-weave cotton fabric with a checked pattern of colored and white yarns—a fabric whose association with innocence and domesticity makes it one of the most emotionally resonant textiles in fashion. Gingham is produced by weaving dyed and undyed...
A sheer, lightweight silk fabric with a crinkled surface—a textile whose matte finish and pebbly texture give it an appearance of understated depth, as though the fabric has been gently crumpled and permanently preserved in that state. Named for the...
A tightly woven twill fabric that is waterproof, breathable, and virtually indestructible—the textile equivalent of a building material, developed by a man who began his career as a draper and ended it as one of the most influential inventors in...
Grenadine is a fabric of near-transparency — a lightweight, open-weave silk so fine that it exists at the boundary between textile and vapor, offering coverage that conceals almost nothing while suggesting everything. The weave structure of grenadine is distinct: it...
A godet is the smallest structural intervention that produces the largest dramatic effect — a triangular insert of fabric set into a seam that transforms a narrow column into a sweeping bell, a confined silhouette into one that moves with...
Gladiator sandals are a type of open-toe shoe with a strap that goes around the ankle. They were originally worn by Roman soldiers in combat, but now they're popular fashion footwear for both men and women. Gladiator sandals are typically...
Graphic tees are a type of shirt that is often used for casual wear. They are available in many different colors, patterns, and sayings. Some people use graphic tees to make a statement or express themselves while others enjoy the...
The term "grunge" has been around for decades, but what does it actually mean? In music, grunge is a genre that emerged in the late 80's and early 90s. The word comes from the name of an American rock band...
A gel bra is a bra with gel or fluid-filled inserts that are designed to help women avoid the discomfort of wearing a traditional, underwire bra. The gel material on these straps helps give more comfort to the wearer and...
A garter toss is a tradition that has been around for centuries. A bride's maids will remove the bride's garter from her leg and throw it to the men watching at the wedding reception in order to see who can...
G-string is a type of lingerie that features only the front part of the garment from hip to waistband. The back side features an elastic band that connects to the crotch. A G-string is a type of underwear that typically...
Girdles have been around for a long time, and they've never gone out of style. In the past, people would wear them to stay trim or even cinch in their waists before photo shoots. But today, celebrities like Beyoncé are...