Fashion A-Z

From applique to zippers, a comprehensive dictionary with definitions and
meanings of key fashion vocabulary, written by Camilla Morton.

Unpressed Pleats

Unpressed pleats are softer, as you’d expect, than their pressed counterparts and have a more rounded edge. Unpressed pleats are also usually wider, creating a more delicate silhouette than cartridge, pressed or decorative pleats.

Valance

Valance is a short piece of drapery, often hung to conceal structural fixtures. Most commonly used to edge tables, beds or shelves, this form of ruffle also has a place in high fashion.

Vent

Vent does not here refer to an explosion of hot air or emotions. In garment terms, a vent serves a similar purpose to a slit. They are often in the back seam of a jacket, where they have been inserted to let the shape ‘breathe’.