The vocabulary of garment details, in one place.
By Shreya S · Last reviewed 2 November 2026
What are the different types of necklines?
- Crew: round and close to the neck
- V-neck and scoop: a V shape or a deep U
- Boat or bateau: wide and shallow, from shoulder to shoulder
- Square and sweetheart: a straight line, or a heart-shaped curve over the bust
- Halter: straps that tie or fasten behind the neck
- Off-the-shoulder and one-shoulder
- Cowl: soft draped folds at the front
- Turtleneck (polo neck) and mock neck
What are the different types of sleeves?
- Cap: a very short sleeve just covering the shoulder
- Puff: gathered for volume at the shoulder
- Bishop: full at the lower arm, gathered into a cuff
- Bell: flaring from the elbow
- Leg-of-mutton (gigot): huge at the top, narrow at the wrist
- Raglan: a diagonal seam from underarm to collar
- Dolman or batwing: cut in one with the bodice, deep under the arm
- Kimono: wide, straight and cut in one with the body
What are the different types of collars?
- Peter Pan: flat with rounded ends
- Mandarin or Nehru: a short standing collar
- Spread and button-down: classic shirt collars
- Notch lapel and peak lapel: the two main jacket lapels
- Shawl: a continuous rounded lapel, as on a tuxedo
Read on Ayerhs: The Shirt · The Tuxedo · Silhouettes and cuts · Tailoring