The yoke is an upper, separately cut piece of a garment (at the shoulders, chest, back or hips) to which the main fabric is then attached, often with gathers, pleats or tucks. It is a construction node that carries the fit of the garment and allows the volume below to be distributed well. The yoke is both functional and decorative: it forms a tidy shoulder or hip line, holds the folds and can become an accent in its own right with contrasting fabric, trim or embroidery. The yoke is used in shirts, dresses, skirts and jeans; it is one of the basic techniques of tailoring that makes a silhouette structured and well-fitted.
