Glossary
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Handbags Glossary |
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Clothing and fashion accessories with major credit and debit cards.
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| term | description |
|---|---|
| SAFFIAN | A grain embossed into leather which gives a crosshatched texture to the leather surface. |
| SATCHEL | A large handbag that closes at the top, has a top carrying handle, and most notably has a triangular side profile. |
| SATIN | Satin is a fabric that has a lustrous face and dull back. |
| SEQUINS | A small plate of metal or plastic used for ornamentation on fabrics. A sequin has a small hole in the centre so it can be attached with thread to the fabric, strung with other sequins and/or beads. |
| SERIAL NUMBER | A unique number that is stamped or printed on a tag usually located on the interior of a handbag or wallet. This number, assigned by the handbag designer can prove authenticity, and can also indicate the design line of the handbag, the date it was made, and even the location of where it was manufactured or location of the boutique (or authorized dealer) it was sold from. |
| SHOULDER BAG | Any style handbag that is looped over the shoulder by a strap and carried on the shoulder using this strap. |
| SHOULDER GUARD | A piece attached to a shoulder strap that pads or distributes the weight of the bag and its contents. |
| SHOULDER STRAP | A long belt-like strap attached to a handbag that enables the bag to be carried on the shoulder. |
| SIGNATURE LOGO | A characteristic mark that has attained popularity and recognition, and identifies the maker, designer, or manufacturer of a handbag or fashion accessory. It is a stylized version of the designer's name or initials, and is usually instantly identified as belonging to that particular designer. |
| SILK BROCADE | Silk brocade is a lustrous and tough textile produced by silkworms. It is characterized by raised designs or patterns in gold or silver. |
| SLING BAG | A soft sided shoulder bag that has one end of the shoulder strap attached to the top of the bag, and the other end attached to the bottom of the bag. |
| SNAKE SKIN | A leather made from the skin of snakes. The skins vary widely in colours, and patterns, and have a "flaky" texture. |
| SNAP | A closure device use for bags, watches and other fashion accessories. |
| STRAW | The classic straw handbags are made of willow, rattan, or corn husk, and are usually hand woven into rigid shapes. More modern straws are soft and cloth-like. |
| TANNED LEATHER | A skin or hide of an animal that has been made into a leather with a treatment of "tannic acid" (from tree bark). The tanning process makes the hide firm, durable and resistant to water. |
| TAPESTRY | Tapestry is a heavy, ornamental fabric, and is commonly adorned with complex floral patterns, collage motifs, or detailed scenes. |
| TASSEL | A decorative or useful attachment to a handbag, usually of stringy appearance. Can be use as a zip pull. |
| TOP HANDLE | A style of handbag that has a small handle located at the top and is designed to be held and carried in the hand. |
| TOP GRAIN LEATHER | Thick leather is split into two or more layers before use. The top layer, containing the natural grain is called top grain. All other layers are splits. |
| TOPSTITCH | A line of stitching close to the edge or close to the seam on the outer side of the material. Topstitching is commonly used on handbags especially along both edges of the shoulder strap and/or along edges of the trim. Topstitching threads can be the same colour as the material the stitching is on, or a decorative contrasting colour such as beige topstitching on dark brown leather. |
| TOTE BAG | A large 2 handled open-topped fashion handbag. |
| TWILL | A fabric that has an interlacing weaves with an appearance of a "diagonal line". One of the most popular twill fabrics used to make fashion accessories and clothing is cotton denim. |
| VALISE | A medium handbag that closes at the top, has two top carrying handles, and has a triangular or oval side profile. Also known as a small overnight suitcase. |
| VELVET | Velvet has lustre and richness which make it ideal for the more formal bags. Solids, prints and cut velvets are all popular. |
| WHIP STITCH | Diagonal widely spaced stitches over the top of the material as a finishing to the edge of the material or to bind two pieces of material together, also called the overcast stitch. This type of stitch is commonly used on handbags decorated with patchwork or appliqués. |
| WRIST STRAP | A thin looped strap or cord attached to a small handbag or wallet so it can be carried on the wrist. |
| ZIPPER PULL | The part of a zipper that has a tab to hold so zipper can be opened and closed. Many handbags have decorative zipper pulls, or sometimes zipper pulls that are signature to a particular designer. |
| ZIPPER TOP | A handbag, a compartment, or a side pocket, that closes at the top with a zipper. |