Costume Design Vocabulary

noun a type of performance dance that originated in the Italian Renaissance courts of the 15th century

• The ballet performance at the theater was exquisite and well-rehearsed.
• I love watching ballet because the dancers make it look so effortless and graceful.
• Have you seen that new ballet video? It's lit!
• Her movements were like a ballet, fluid and precise.

verb to dress or decorate in a gaudy or flashy manner

• The actress was bedizened in a stunning gown for the red carpet event.
• She loves to bedizen herself with flashy jewelry and sparkly accessories.
• I'm going to bedizen my room with some cool posters and fairy lights.
• The politician tried to bedizen his speech with flowery language to appeal to the audience.

verb to decorate with ruffles or frills

• The gown was befrilled with delicate lace along the hem.
• She loves to wear tops that are befrilled with ruffles.
• I can't believe she's still wearing those befrilled jeans from the 80s.
• His speech was befrilled with unnecessary details and embellishments.

verb to decorate or cover with small shiny objects or decorations

• The dress was bespangled with sequins and beads, adding a touch of elegance to the evening.
• She loves to bespangle her phone case with stickers and charms.
• The rapper's outfit was bespangled with bling, making him stand out in the crowd.
• The night sky was bespangled with stars, creating a beautiful sight to behold.

• The actress arrived at the red carpet event in a stunning gown bespangled with crystals.
• She looked like a disco ball in that bespangled dress.
• Her outfit was so bespangled, it was blinding!
• The night sky was bespangled with twinkling stars.

noun a close-fitting, stiffened and usually laced undergarment, worn especially by women to shape and support the body

• The Victorian-era woman wore a tightly laced corset to achieve the fashionable hourglass figure.
• I can't breathe in this corset, it's so tight!
• She rocked a corset to cinch her waist for the party.
• The strict rules felt like a corset, constricting her freedom.

adjective adjective - a word that describes or modifies a noun or pronoun. In this case, 'frilly' describes something that is adorned with decorative ruffles or lace.

• The frilly curtains added a touch of elegance to the room.
• She wore a frilly dress to the party last night.
• I'm not a fan of frilly stuff, it's too girly for me.
• Her frilly speech was full of unnecessary details.

noun a pleated or gathered piece of material, typically on a garment or curtain, used for decoration or as an embellishment

• The ball gown was adorned with intricate furbelows along the hem.
• She added some furbelows to her dress to make it more eye-catching.
• I don't really like all those furbelows on her outfit.
• His speech was full of unnecessary furbelows, making it hard to understand his main point.

noun a person who designs, makes, or sells hats for women

• The milliner created a beautiful custom hat for the royal wedding.
• I heard the milliner down the street is having a big sale on hats.
• That milliner is the go-to for all the trendy headpieces.
• As a milliner of words, she crafted poetry that touched the soul.

noun a skirt or slip worn under a dress or outer skirt

• The Victorian lady wore a delicate lace petticoat under her gown.
• She twirled around in her fluffy petticoat, feeling like a princess.
• Check out the cute petticoat she's wearing with her vintage dress.
• His pride was like a petticoat, hiding his true emotions underneath.

noun a tall, cylindrical hat with a straight sides and a flat top, resembling a stovepipe

• Abraham Lincoln was often depicted wearing a stovepipe hat.
• Hey, check out that guy in the stovepipe hat!
• That stovepipe hat is so old school!
• His ideas were as tall as a stovepipe hat.

noun a term used in fashion to describe a specific style of neckline

• The dress featured a beautiful sweetheart neckline that accentuated the bride's shoulders.
• I love how the sweetheart neckline on this top shows off my collarbones.
• That dress with the sweetheart neckline is so cute, I need it!
• Her smile was like a sweetheart neckline, framing her face with warmth and charm.