Hatrack River Writers Workshop: Here we go again--vocabulary question

This is topic Here we go again--vocabulary question in forum Open Discussions About Writing at Hatrack River Writers Workshop.

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Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :

I'm struggling to find a word. What do you call the area of clothes (say, a tunic, or an ample robe) that is just below the neckline?

The neckline is just the edge of the collar, but is there a name for the wider area of cloth that is underneath?

Thanks,

Posted by Omakase (Member # 2915) on :

Here's a link that might help:

http://www.alphadictionary.com/directory/Specialty_Dictionaries/Clothing/

Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :

Omakase, thanks very much for the link, but it only details clothes, not part of clothes

Posted by Jeraliey (Member # 2147) on :

The yoke?

Posted by Omakase (Member # 2915) on :

There's a link inside to

http://www.apparelsearch.com/glossary.htm

which has a bunch of specific apparel terms, but also mixed clothing terms -- unfortunately no pics referring to specific parts

look at orphrey (fancy) maybe you could use edging

Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :

Jeraliey, is that a word everyone would know, or is it very technical? (sorry, I'm not aware of the connotations here)

[This message has been edited by Silver3 (edited March 24, 2006).]

Posted by autumnmuse (Member # 2136) on :

I thought of a yoke too. Or a bib, but unfortunately that has infant connotations these days. It didn't used to. Otherwise I don't think there are any specific names. Maybe say chest or shoulder or whatever body part would be under the section of clothing you are talking about.

Posted by Silver3 (Member # 2174) on :

Ok.
I'm wavering between yoke and autumn's solution of using the body part. I think I'll go for the body part.

Thanks everyone (omakase, thanks for the link; I've bookmarked the site, I could use it for future ref.)

Posted by Elan (Member # 2442) on :

Silver, I used to do sewing (before I took up writing as a hobby.) The answer to your question will depend entirely on whether the garment is for a man, or a woman. That section of clothing for women is called the bodice. The name for it would also depend on the culture, and the period in history, as well as the entire garment (a robe versus a blouse, for example.)

I don't know how useful you'll find this link, but give it a try:
http://www.kyistitches.com/kyistitches_sp_sewing_vocabulary.html

The yoke, by the way, really is for a band of cloth mostly to cover the collarbone... it's hard for me to describe. But it doesn't cover the entire bodice area. A yoke is more akin to a collar than the chest part of the garment.

[This message has been edited by Elan (edited March 24, 2006).]

Posted by tchernabyelo (Member # 2651) on :

I must admit, I think of a "yoke" as being on the back (i.e. on a man's shirt, it's the odd-shaped piece across the shoulders below the collar. The proper ironing sequence goes "collar, yoke, sleeves, body". Well, that's how I always do it, anyway...).