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Fashion Terms & Definitions

Fashion Industry Overview

The fashion industry encompasses the design, manufacturing, distribution, marketing, and retailing of all types of apparel, from casual wear to haute couture. Understanding fashion terminology helps consumers, professionals, and enthusiasts communicate effectively about styles, trends, and the business of fashion.

A-E

A-line

A dress or skirt silhouette that is narrower at the top and flares gently toward the bottom, resembling the letter A.

Avant-garde

Experimental, innovative, and unconventional fashion that pushes boundaries and challenges traditional design concepts.

Bias cut

A technique of cutting fabric at a 45-degree angle to its warp and weft threads, creating a garment that drapes fluidly and follows body contours.

Bohemian style

A fashion aesthetic inspired by the free-spirited lifestyle of artists, writers, and intellectuals, characterized by loose, flowing clothing, natural fabrics, and eclectic patterns.

Capsule collection

A limited-edition line of clothing designed to complement existing pieces and often created by a designer in collaboration with another brand or retailer.

Chic

A term used to describe a stylish, elegant, and fashionable appearance or design.

Couture

Exclusively custom-made high-end fashion designed and constructed by hand for individual clients, often using luxury materials and techniques.

F-J

Fast fashion

The rapid production of inexpensive, trend-driven clothing that mimics runway styles but is produced with lower quality materials and labor practices.

Haute couture

French for "high sewing," referring to exclusive custom-fitted clothing made in Paris by members of the Chambre Syndicale de la Haute Couture.

Inseam

The measurement along the inner seam of a pant leg from the crotch to the bottom hem.

Jacket

A garment for the upper body that typically has sleeves and extends to the waist or hips, generally lighter and less formal than a coat.

K-O

Kimono

A traditional Japanese garment with full-length sleeves and a wrapped front, typically made of silk and worn with a sash called an obi.

Minimalism

A fashion approach characterized by simplicity, clean lines, monochromatic color palettes, and a focus on functionality and essential elements.

Monochrome

A color scheme that uses a single color in various shades, tones, and tints throughout an outfit or collection.

Off-the-rack

Standardized clothing produced in predetermined sizes and sold ready-made, as opposed to custom-tailored garments.

P-T

Pleat

A fold in fabric created by doubling material upon itself and securing it, commonly used in skirts, trousers, and dresses to add volume or structure.

Prt--porter

French term for "ready-to-wear" fashionfactory-produced clothing in standard sizes, designed for the mass market but often from high-end designers.

Silhouette

The overall outline or shape of a garment, which is a fundamental element of fashion design and changes with trends.

Streetwear

A style of casual clothing that became global in the 1990s, evolving from California surf culture and New York hip hop fashion, often associated with sneaker culture and urban aesthetics.

Sustainable fashion

A movement and process of fostering change to fashion products and the fashion system towards greater ecological integrity and social justice.

U-Z

Vintage

Clothing that is at least 20 years old and represents a previous era, often valued for its quality, uniqueness, and historical significance.

Warp and weft

The two sets of threads that create woven fabric: warp runs lengthwise, and weft runs widthwise.

Yoke

A fitted piece at the top of a skirt, shirt, or pants that provides support and shape, often cut on the bias for a better fit.

Fashion Through the Decades

Fashion evolves constantly, with each decade bringing distinctive styles and silhouettes. From the flapper dresses of the 1920s to the power suits of the 1980s and the minimalist trends of the 1990s, fashion reflects cultural shifts, technological advancements, and artistic movements. Understanding historical fashion trends helps designers create contemporary looks while paying homage to the past.

Common Fabric Terms

Chiffon

A lightweight, sheer fabric with a slightly rough feel, made from cotton, silk, or synthetic fibers, commonly used in evening wear and flowing garments.

Jersey

A soft, stretchy knit fabric traditionally made of wool or cotton, now often using synthetic blends, popular for t-shirts and casual wear.

Satin

A glossy fabric with a smooth surface that reflects light, characterized by a floating weave that allows at least four warp or weft yarns to float over the opposite yarn.

Twill

A textile weave with a pattern of diagonal parallel ribs, producing a strong, durable fabric that resists wrinkles, commonly used in denim and chinos.

Fashion Industry Roles

Fashion buyer

A professional who selects and purchases clothing and accessories for retail stores or boutiques, analyzing trends and customer preferences.

Creative director

The individual responsible for the overall vision and aesthetic of a fashion brand or collection, guiding the design process and brand identity.

Fashion merchandiser

A professional who plans product selections and inventory levels to maximize sales, often determining prices, managing displays, and analyzing data.

Pattern maker

A skilled professional who creates templates from which clothing parts are traced onto fabric before cutting and assembly, translating designs into wearable garments.

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Reference Files For Fashion Terms And Definitions

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