Category: term definition

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adinkra

Produced by the Asante peoples in Ghana, adinkra is a flat, cotton textile that is stamped with symbols which create the meaning of the garment.

agal

An agal is a rope made from animal hair which wraps around a keffiya (square cloth) on the head and is worn typically by Bedouin men.

Akwete is a decorative cloth with complex weave designs, creating intricate geometric patterns, made with many vibrant colors. It is usually made into wrappers for women to wear and it is made by the Igbo women of Nigeria.

aniline dyes

Synthetic, chemical dyes for garments first invented in the 19th century.

anorak

An anorak is a jacket that typically has a hood, but not always, which was originally worn by the indigenous peoples of the Arctic designed to keep them warm and protected from harsh weather.

back apron (negbe)

An oval-shaped decorative pad worn by Mangbetu women over the buttocks in Central Africa.

backstrap loom

The backstrap loom is a lightweight, mobile loom made of wood and a strap that is wrapped around the back. It only needed to be attached to a tree or a post for stability and to provide tension.

banyan

A banyan is a loose-fitted informal robe or gown worn by men in the late 17th to the early 19th centuries.

barbette

A piece of linen which passes under the chin and is pinned at the sides, usually worn in conjunction with additional head coverings during the Middle Ages.

bark cloth

Bark cloth is fabric made out of bark from trees.

beadnet dress

A decorative sheath dress made of beads worn in ancient Egypt.

bloomers

Bloomers are a bifurcated garment that were worn under dresses in the 19th century. They soon became a symbol of women’s rights because early activist Amelia Bloomer wore drawers long enough to stick out from under her dress.