APPAREL DICTIONARY - R -

Raglan
A type of sleeve sewn in with seams slanting outward from neck to underarm.

Reactive Dyes
Used by most mills, reactive dyes are generally used to match a color with clarity and depth. It is necessary to have a cotton thread garment when using reactive dyes as they only penetrate cotton fiber. They provide excellent washfastness.

Rib Knit
A form of knit fabric with vertical rows of knitting loops visible on both sides of the cloth. This fabric features more elasticity than jersey knit.

Ring Spun
Yarn that is produced by using a ' ring' for spinning. The process is slower and more labor-intensive than the more technologically advanced open-end spinning, and because it uses a longer fiber, results in a yarn that has a characteristic, natural unevenness. This has come to be desirable because of its association with traditional denim. Irregularities are enhanced by stonewashing. The hand is softer than open-end denim.

Ringer
T-shirt, usually white bodied, featuring ribbed crew neck (and sleeve bands) in a contrasting color.