Dress

nounStandard termTextiles

A single-piece garment consisting of a bodice and an attached skirt.

A dress is an outer garment that covers the upper body and extends down to cover the legs, combining a bodice and skirt into a single piece. Dresses are constructed in countless silhouettes, from fitted sheaths to flowing ballgowns, and are categorized by their length, cut, and the occasion they are designed for.

Heard on the job

We need to adjust the waistline on this dress before we cut the final silk yardage.

Insider tip

In tailoring and patternmaking, a dress block or sloper is the foundational template used to develop endless style variations.