Glossary
Biodegradable
The ability of organic matter to be broken down by microorganisms.
Bra Cups
The cup is the fabric component of the brassiere that covers the breast. Cup size is usually indicated by a letter (A, B, C, etc) and is combined with the band size (32, 34, 36, etc) measurement to result in a women’s bra size. All of our products are sized Small, Medium, or Large rather than using product specific traditional bra sizing, however customers may refer to the Size Chart for estimated fit.
Bra Pad
Typically a small foam disk inserted into the cup of a bra to correct for breast asymmetry, increase overall perceived breast size, provide support and - in the case of nursing bras - absorb leaking milk. We typically do not use pads in our designs because they are made from synthetic, single-use petrochemical materials.
Bust Measurement
The largest measurement around your chest.
Charmeuse
Charmeuse is a lightweight fabric woven with a satin weave that gives the front of the fabric a smooth and reflective finish while the back retains a dull finish. It’s often used in lingerie because of its luster and delicate hand.
Clasp (Hook & Eye)
A small metal hook and loop used together as a fastener on a garment. Most of our bralettes don’t have clasps and are pullover style designs.
Cupro
Cupro is the by-product of the industrial harvest of cotton, specifically the waste fibres that are too small to spin. Cupro is easily recycled and made from 100% plant based materials. Cupro is also hypoallergenic, breathable and machine-washable. We chose to use Cupro fabric for our loungewear collection because we wanted a vegan and biodegradable alternative to woven silk fabric.
Dart
Darts are folds (tucks coming to a point) that are sewn into a garment to provide shape. They are especially used for a women’s bust. We use darts to create subtle tailoring, especially in our silk pieces.
Elastic
Easily stretched rubber prepared in cords strings or bands/tape. We use several different types of elastics for our products, including deadstock straps that would have otherwise gone to landfill.
Flat Measurement
The measurement when a garment is laid on a flat surface, half of circumference. For example, if the flat measurement at the waist is 15 inches, the total waist measurement is 30 inches.
Georgette
A sheer, lightweight and dull-finished crepe fabric originally made from tightly twisted fibers. Our classic pieces like Vetiver Dress, Romy Bralette, and Flora Brief are made with stretch silk georgette fabric.
Hip Measurement
The circumference of the body at the buttocks
Jersey
Jersey is a knit fabric with a knit stitch visible on one side and purl on the reverse. It was originally only made from wool but is now commonly made from wool, cotton and synthetic fibers. It’s known for being very stretchy, light-weight and most commonly used for t-shirts. We primarily use classic machine knit jersey fabrics produced in Los Angeles.
Knit vs Woven
Knit fabric is made from one continuous yarn being looped repeatedly to create what can look like tiny rows of braids. Woven fabric is made from multiple yarns crossing each other to form a grain similar to a basket. Knits stretch significantly and are wrinkle resistant. Woven fabrics have minimal give and typically wrinkle easily.
Low impact dyes
Less water, less chemicals and less energy. We work with dye houses in the USA that have strict labor and safety rules.
Lycra (Spandex)
Lycra, also known as Spandex or Elastane, is a synthetic fiber known for its elasticity. It was first invented in 1958 out of a need for a better solution to women’s girdles which, at the time, were most commonly made from rubber.
Natural fibers (what does it mean?)
Natural fibers are fibres produced by plants, animals and geological processes. Natural fibers are biodegradable and sustainable.
Organic Cotton
The story of organic cotton has a worldwide environmental and agricultural impact, as well as a small, personal impact next to our skin from day to day. Conventional cotton is one of the most pesticide-heavy crops in the world. By supporting organic cotton, we also support the livelihood of farmers who grow a well regulated raw material in high demand, in the most natural way the market allows. Our organic cotton fabric has been certified to the highest global standard (GOTS), and is knit in the USA with domestically grown cotton whenever possible.
Organic cotton is cotton cultivated without the use of toxic chemicals and pesticides that contribute to countless problems for people, farmers, and the planet. Organic cotton farming also uses significantly less water than conventional cotton as it typically relies on rain water as opposed to irrigation. The color “Natural” in our collections specifies that the fabric is undyed and shows the color of the actual cotton plant.
Recycled Nylon
Recycled nylon has already been an industry standard material in the interiors world for years. Until recently it was not readily available in the US, but we have sourced an amazing technical tricot from Italy. The fibers are given a second life with this fabric, which also has excellent UV protection and is resilient in a chlorinated environment. This fabric is OEKO-TEX certified, which means it meets the highest EU standard of dye safety.
Rubber
A tough elastic polymeric (large molecule composed of many repeated subunits) substance made from the sap of the tropical rubber plant. The elastic trim used in our swimwear is made of rubber.
Satin
Satin is a specific type of fabric weave that produces a bright and luxurious looking sheen on one side of the fabric.
Silk
Silk fabric is a 100% natural fibre produced by silkworms on mulberry trees and has been used for thousands of years. It is the strongest and smoothest natural fiber. We love the breathability and incomparable handfeel of this luxury fabric.
Silk has a rich history of being a highly prized textile thanks to its amazing lightness, the ability to retain brilliant colors, and an inimitable handfeel, not to mention its incredible strength and endurance over time. Our high quality textured silk is produced by a fabric mill that has supplied high end fashion houses for decades. For undergarments, the washed silk georgette we use has a small percentage of spandex for maximum comfort and structure.
Strap
Bra straps come in a number of variations. They can be made entirely or partially from elastic, rigid, wide, narrow or padded. They are usually length adjustable and are meant to act as stabilizers for the bra.
Waist Measurement
Your natural waist, the smallest measurement of your abdomen.
Wire/Underwire
A wire running through the bottom edge of a brassiere to aid in support and shape the bust. Our designs do not incorporate wire hardware because they can create scars around the ribcage if improperly fit or stretched.