O
off-the-shoulder neck – A neckline that lies gently hovering across the top of the bustline with the shoulders uncovered or visible through the sheer yoke of net or organza attached to a high collar.
ombre – Shadings of a single color from light to dark; or the gradual blending of several colors as in a rainbow.
open stitch – Woven or knit fabrics that are loosely stitched, achieving a semi-transparency.
optical brighteners – Aka fluorescent whitening agents, optical bleaches or optical dyes. Chemicals used to "make white whiter." Optical brighteners are used in the manufacture of white garments, and the loss of optical brighteners (due to instability, processing, etc.) can cause the garment to appear gray. It is usually impossible for a drycleaner to restore an optical brightener under these conditions.
organic cleaning – A misnomer sometimes used by cleaners who use petroleum-based solvents to evoke a feeling of environmentally friendly operations. The name has its genesis in the fact that carbon is organic, and therefore a hydrocarbon solvent is an organic process.
organza – Fine, sheer, lightweight, crisp fabric with a stiff feel. It crushes or musses fairly easily, but is easily pressed. Dressy type of fabric; sometimes has a silvery sheen.
ottoman – Plain, heavy woven fabric having flat, crosswise ribs.
over-dyed denim – Interesting color-on-color effect obtained by adding color dye during the washing process; the more dye added, the more intense the color.
overskirt – A skirt worn over another skirt.
oxidizing bleach – A bleach that uses an oxidation process to decolorize stains or soiled areas. Examples are sodium perborate, hydrogen peroxide and sodium hypochlorite.
< Back
© Copyright 1999-2010 Meurice Garment Care, New York Dry Cleaners
