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Macclesfield
A tie fabric characterized by small yarn-dyed dobby patterns. This allover-patterned silk was originally woven in Macclesfield, England, and is also sometimes referred to as a Spitafield, after a parish in Stepney, London, where competitors created a similar silk.
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Mackintosh
A raincoat. Mackintoshes were originally raincoats specifically designed in a waterproof rubberized cotton developed in the 1820s by Scottish inventor Charles Macintosh. Nowadays, the mackintosh is a more general term for any waterproof jacket. Also called a mac.
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Macramé
A heavy lace, often geometric in design, formed by knotting and interlacing threads, cords, strings or yarns. From the Turkish word magramah, meaning “napkin” or “facecloth,” macramé was originally a craft that sailors practiced to pass the time. It became popular in the 1970s when youth began fashioning vests and accessories using macramé. Today, the homespun look of macramé is still used, mainly in women's clothing and accessories, to evoke a laid-back summertime ease.
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Madras
A plain-weave lightweight cotton fabric, most commonly known for its vegetable-dyed colorful plaid pattern that may fade, or bleed, over time to create a muted effect. Madras was originally a handwoven fabric from Madras, India, that became popular in America during the 1930s. Today, madras remains a classic with preppy appeal.
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Maillot
A one-piece women's swimsuit, often cut high on the legs, and backless. Named after Monsieur Maillot, a French hosiery maker, maillots were originally a tight garment worn by dancers in the 1800s. In the 1930s, the look of the maillot was translated for swimwear, and the classic shape has been a popular waterside choice ever since.
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Mandarin collar
A collar consisting of a standing band that wraps about the neck and is slightly open in the front. Made popular in the 1960s on men's jackets, the mandarin collar is now used to finish women's and men's garments for an Asian look. Also called a Chinese collar or Nehru collar.
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Matelassé
A rich double-cloth fabric woven together on a jacquard or dobby loom by crepe yarns that form a raised surface pattern. From the French word for “padded,” matelassé is typically used for formal garments, robes, fine bedding and upholstery.
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Matte
A term used to describe a surface with a smooth finish that lacks luster and shine.
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Maxi skirt
A somewhat full skirt that reaches the ankle or floor. A popular style in the 1960s, maxi skirts continue to appear, evoking a hippie ease.
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Melton
A compact, heavy, durable woolen coating fabric made in a twill weave that is napped and sheared to produce a smooth face. Originally worn in Melton Mowbray, England, this warm, wind-resistant cloth was popular for hunting garments. The US armed forces adapted the fabric for military use, and it can still be found in the modern-day pea coat as well as other styles of winter outerwear.
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Memory
In apparel, a term used to describe the ability of fabrics to return to their original shape after being stretched or otherwise distorted.
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Mercerized
A term used to describe a thread, yarn or fabric that has undergone a finishing process that increases its luster and smoothness. Named after English printer John Mercer, who discovered this process in the 1840s, mercerization often lends quality to certain fibers, especially cotton.
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Merino
A better-quality wool yarn made from the fleece of merino sheep.
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Mesh
Knitted or woven fabric with an open weave producing a characteristic screenlike effect. Mesh provides lightweight, breathable coverage that makes it an ideal choice for warm-weather dressing.
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Metallic
A term used to describe a yarn that has been coated with a fine film of shiny polyester to mimic the look of metals like silver, copper and gold. Metallic yarns can be used in everything from jacquard fabrics to knits, especially for evening wear.
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Microfiber
An extremely fine synthetic fiber unusual in that it is extremely breathable and warm.
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Midriff
A style of women's shirt that falls to just below the bustline, revealing the rib cage and stomach.
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Midweight
A general term used to describe a yarn, fabric or item of clothing that is neither light nor heavy in feel.
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Miniskirt
A very short skirt that falls well above the knees. A trend that took off in the 1960s, miniskirts have come in and out of style over the decades; some fashion experts assert that these periodical revivals coincide with a booming stock market.
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Mittens
A warm covering for the hands that consists of a compartment for the thumb and another for the remaining four fingers. Dating back to the fourteenth century, this wintertime classic is often knit in chunky stitches with colorful patterns and always speaks to a youthful spirit.
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Mock turtleneck
A knit pullover finished at the neckline with a short, fitted knit band that does not fold over. An abbreviated version of the turtleneck, mock turtlenecks tend to offer a sleeker, dressier alternative for wintertime style. Also referred to as a mockneck.
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Mod
A term used to describe any clothing style influenced by the early-1960s British movement of working-class youth who took to imitating the rich by donning immaculate, pressed, sleek, proper—or modern—looks. The Beatles became poster boys for the mod look, setting the stage for a new type of rock fashion that came to typify the British invasion.
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Mogadore
A tie fabric characterized by a close, extremely firm weave that is finely corded and often displays colorful stripes.
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Mohair
A long, shiny, soft hair from the angora goat that is usually loosely woven or knit to produce fuzzy wools and knits.
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Moiré
A distinct wavelike pattern, which is melted onto the surface of a faille fabric. After the French word for “watery,” moiré is a decorative effect most often used for evening wear and upholstery.
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Moleskin
A cotton fabric that is brushed on the surface to produce a suedelike effect. So called because it is said to resemble the fur of a mole, moleskin has become a popular sportswear fabric used in everything from pants to sport coats to outerwear.
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Monogram
A person's initials embroidered on or otherwise worked into the surface of a personal item. With its origins in the family crest, monograms have always been used to evoke aristocratic style, whether they appear on towels, sheets, sweaters or jewelry.
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Mother-of-pearl
The lustrous, iridescent lining of the oyster, abalone or other mollusk. Mother-of-pearl is often used for buttons and other details to reflect polished style.
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Motorcycle jacket
A waist-length leather coat with a heavy, metal front zipper, wide belt and metal zipper pockets. Originally designed in the 1920s and called the Perfecto, motorcycle jackets were considered to be the indestructible outerwear choice for bikers, the wide belt across the back protecting the kidneys and the thick leather protecting the upper body in case of an accident. In the 1950s rebellious youths utilized both the
motorcycle and motorcycle style to create a unified statement against American conservatism, setting off a fashion trend that Marlon Brando brought to the silver screen in 1953's The Wild One. The leather jacket remained an icon of rebellious style into the 1970s when British punk rockers began to bring the look back into style, this time using the indestructible nature of the coat as an excuse to pierce, rip, paint on and otherwise vandalize the garment for a highly personalized statement. Leather jackets eventually established themselves as a classic statement of rugged style in the 1980s and continue to appear as both a fashion and utilitarian coat to this day.
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