Fashion Terminology: A Beginners Guide

Fabric Sourcing:

The process of finding and selecting suitable fabrics required for garment production.

So you want to start a fashion brand and have started contacting possible suppliers to make your product, but they’ve thrown a bunch of technical jargon at you and to be honest, it’s a little overwhelming. We get it!

We have created this short list with all the common terminology that you may need to understand when working with garment factories. We have a more comprehensive guide on our resources page, Click HERE to Go to the Full Glossary of terms.

Tech specs: Also known as technical specifications, these are detailed documents that outline the construction and design requirements for a specific garment.

CADS: Computer-Aided Design (CAD) software is used by fashion designers to create digital representations of garments and patterns. This term can also be used with pattern-makers in relation to the digitising of the pattern’s (putting them into a digital file form).

Prototyping: The creation of a sample garment to test the design, fit, and construction before proceeding with bulk production.

Sample production: The creation of a small batch of garments for evaluation, usually done before full-scale production.

Fit samples: These are samples used to test the fit and make necessary adjustments to the garment before moving into production.

SMS or Salesman Sample: This is the set of samples that you request after you have made comments to your suppliers for your fit or proto samples. You may want to order these in all of your correct fabrics, colours or prints and you may use these for your photoshoot to create lookbooks, website product listings and any other materials you may require to advertise or promote your product prior to launch. 

Sourcing: The process of finding and selecting suppliers for fabrics, trims, and other materials required for garment production.

Seam allowance: The extra fabric left between the cut edge and the stitching line, allowing room for sewing and finishing the seams.

Fabric composition: The breakdown of the fabric's content, including the percentages of different fibers used in its construction.

OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer): A company that produces clothing or other products on behalf of another brand or company.

ODM (Original Design Manufacturer): A company that designs and manufactures clothing based on the specifications and requirements provided by another brand or company.

MOQ (Minimum Order Quantity): The minimum quantity of clothing or products that a manufacturer requires for an order to be processed.

Lead Time: The time required for the production and delivery of an order, including fabric sourcing, sample development, manufacturing, and shipping.

FOB (Free on Board): A pricing term indicating that the cost of manufacturing and delivering goods to the designated port or location is included, but shipping costs beyond that point are the responsibility of the buyer.

CMT (Cut, Make, Trim): A manufacturing service where the manufacturer cuts the fabric, sews the garment, and applies trims based on the specifications provided by the brand or company.

Grading: The process of adjusting the size and proportions of a garment pattern to create different sizes.

Supply Chain: The sequence of processes and activities involved in the production, distribution, and delivery of clothing, including sourcing, manufacturing, and logistics.

Ethical Sourcing: The practice of ensuring that the materials used in the manufacturing of clothing are obtained from suppliers who follow ethical and sustainable practices.

Sustainable Manufacturing: The process of producing clothing in an environmentally responsible and resource-efficient manner, minimizing waste, and reducing the carbon footprint.