When discussing fashion and clothing, it’s useful to know a variety of vocabulary related to items, styles, and the process of making or buying clothes. This list will guide you through some common and useful fashion and clothing terms in English. It’s not just about throwing on an outfit, but rather understanding the types of clothing and the details that go into creating a fashionable look.
Dress
A dress is a one-piece garment for women or girls that covers the body and extends down over the legs. Dresses can come in a variety of lengths, from short to floor-length, and can be styled for casual or formal occasions.
She wore an elegant red dress to the gala.
Suit
A suit is a set of men’s or women’s clothes comprising a suit jacket, or coat, and trousers. When made from the same fabric and intended to be worn together, it’s considered a matched suit. Suits are often worn for business, formal events, or job interviews.
He bought a new suit for his job interview at the bank.
T-shirt
A T-shirt is a casual top, typically made of cotton, with short sleeves and no collar. T-shirts often feature graphic prints or logos and are a staple in casual, everyday wear.
She paired a plain white T-shirt with jeans for a simple yet classic look.
Jeans
Jeans are trousers typically made from denim or dungaree cloth. They are a popular form of casual attire around the world and come in various fits, such as skinny, slim, or bootcut.
His favorite pair of jeans finally ripped after years of wear.
Blouse
A blouse is a loose-fitting upper garment that is typically worn by women. It can be designed to be elegant or casual, and it may be tailored from various fabrics such as silk, cotton, or synthetic materials.
She wore a silk blouse with a high collar to the office meeting.
Skirt
A skirt is a tube- or cone-shaped garment that hangs from the waist and covers all or part of the legs. Skirts come in a multitude of lengths, from micro to maxi, and can be straight or flared, depending on the style.
The pleated skirt swayed beautifully with each step she took.
Jacket
A jacket is a mid-stomach-length garment for the upper body. A jacket typically has sleeves and fastens in the front or slightly on the side. Jackets are generally lighter, tighter-fitting, and less insulating than coats, which are outerwear.
He grabbed his leather jacket before heading out on a chilly evening.
Coat
A coat is an outer garment with long sleeves that is worn over other clothing, usually for warmth or protection. Coats come in a variety of styles, including trench coats, pea coats, and parkas.
She wrapped herself in a thick woolen coat to brave the winter storm.
Sneakers
Sneakers are shoes primarily designed for sports or other forms of physical exercise, but which are now also widely used for everyday casual wear.
He laced up his sneakers and went for a morning jog around the park.
Accessories
Accessories are items used to contribute, in a secondary manner, to the wearer’s outfit. They are often chosen to complement the outfit and express the wearer’s identity or to complete a look. Common accessories include jewelry, watches, hats, scarves, belts, and bags.
Her outfit was accessorized with a wide-brimmed hat and a leather clutch.
Haute Couture
Haute Couture is a French term for high sewing or high dressmaking and refers to the creation of exclusive custom-fitted high-end fashion design that is constructed by hand from start to finish.
The Haute Couture gown, adorned with intricate beadwork, took months to complete.
Fast Fashion
Fast fashion is a contemporary term used by fashion retailers to express that designs move from catwalk quickly to capture current fashion trends. Fast fashion clothing collections are based on the most recent fashion trends presented at Fashion Week in both the spring and the autumn of every year.
Many consumers are concerned about the environmental impact of fast fashion.
Tailor
A tailor is a person who makes, repairs, or alters clothing professionally, especially suits and men’s clothing.
She took her vintage dress to the tailor to have it altered for a perfect fit.
Understanding and using this fashion and clothing vocabulary can help you to communicate more effectively about the way we present ourselves and also enhance your shopping or fashion experiences in English-speaking regions. Whether you’re at a high-end boutique or a fast-fashion outlet, these terms are an essential part of the sartorial world.