Glossary of terms used on this site

Wale - The vertical ridges of corduroy fabric. For example, jumbo cords have a large wale.

Warp - The warp is the vertical, north/south yarn of the weave in fabric. Warp means "that which is thrown across"

Weave - The in and out interlacing of yarns to produce a piece of fabric.

Weft - The weft is the horizontal, east/west yarn of the weave of fabric. The weft is threaded through the warp using a shuttle.

Wellington - It was worn and popularised by Arthur Wellesley, 1st Duke of Wellington. Originally it was made in calf skin, but today is traditionally made in waterproof rubber. Hunter make the best classic British Wellington boots.

Welt - The bordering of an edge or pocket, which shapes and strengthens it. Can also mean the strip of leather, rubber or plastic which attaches the sole to the upper in shoe making.

Window pane check - A check formed by coloured lines crossing each other causing square, window-shaped patterning.

Windsor Knot - A method of tying a neck tie which results in a thick, wider knot. The tie is double tied make it bulkier. There is also a half-windsor knot which is not as wide.

Winklepicker - A type of shoe with an exaggerated pointed toe.

Woad - A plant that when used in dyeing gives a deep blue pigment. The first century queen of Britain’s Iceni tribe, Boudicca, used woad as a war paint.

Worsted - Worsted means the yarn has been combed making it smoother , drawing the fibres into parallel positions. The name derives from the village of Worstead in the Norfolk. This village became, along with North Walsham and Aylsham, a centre for the manufacture of yarn and cloth after weavers from Flanders arrived in Norfolk in the 12th century.

Wyncol - Wyncol D711 is a virtually wind and water proof fabric exclusive to the British luxury brand Aquascutum. It was chosen by Edmund Hillary and his team during their first ascent of Mount Everest in 1953. The densely woven cotton and nylon poplin is incredibly light weight and is virtually tear proof. This season Aquascutum have relaunched Wyncol D711 in various men’s waterproof coats ranging from a classic trench to a coat that can be zipped to form a rucksack.