Dart

A tapered, stitched fold sewn into fabric to shape a garment to the body's contours. Darts are commonly found at the back of dress shirts and at the waist of jackets to create a slimmer silhouette.

Category: Fit & Tailoring.

In men's style, "dart" belongs to the Fit & Tailoring family of terminology. For the full A–Z reference of men's fashion and grooming vocabulary, see the Men's Style Glossary.

Related terms

• Break — The fold or crease in trouser fabric where the pant leg meets the shoe. A 'full break' creates a noticeable fold, a 'half break' just touche…
• Shoulder Seam — The stitched line where the sleeve meets the body of a garment. Proper fit means this seam sits exactly at the edge of your natural shoulder…
• Armhole — The opening in a garment where the sleeve is attached. A higher armhole allows better range of motion and a more tailored look, while a lowe…
• Hem — The finished edge of a garment, created by folding the fabric under and stitching it. Hemming is the most common alteration, used to adjust …
• Suppression — The degree to which a jacket's waist is taken in to create shape. More suppression gives a defined waist and hourglass silhouette; less supp…
• Gorge — The seam where the collar and lapel of a jacket meet. The gorge height (how high or low this seam sits) affects the jacket's visual proporti…