Think you’re fashionable? Not if you don’t know these fashion terms and their meanings. The style squad will be so ready to drag you.
But that aside, true fashion involves knowing what you’re wearing and related terms.
So we’ve taken time to curate 30 fashion terms and their meanings (written briefly so you can easily remember them), to help you make sense when talking about fashion with others.
30 Fashion Terms And Their Meanings
Here you go. We’ve grouped related terms into categories, so things don’t get too clumsy.
FASHION PRODUCTION & DESIGN LEVELS
1. Ready-to-wear (Pret-a-Porter)
Clothes made in standard sizes and sold in stores. This is what most people buy, since no custom fitting is required.
2. Made-to-order
The brand makes it after you order. You choose the design, and they tailor it to your size. Fancy but less exclusive than couture.
3. Bespoke
Fully custom-made from scratch just for you. Every detail is personalized. Think tailored suits and serious main-character energy.
4. Haute couture
The peak of luxury fashion. Custom-made, handcrafted by top designers, and usually costs more than your car.
5. Atelier
A fashion designer’s workshop. It’s where the magic and sewing happens.
INDUSTRY TERMS & MOVEMENTS
6. Fashion show
A runway event where designers display their latest collections, including models, lights, music, and drama. Basically a fashion concert.
7. Trend forecasting
Predicting what styles, colors, or silhouettes will be “in” next season. It’s like fashion’s version of reading the stars.
8. Trends
What’s currently hot in fashion. Could be a style, fabric, color, or even a way of wearing your bag.
9. Fads
Short-lived fashion obsessions. Cute while they last, but they disappear fast. (We’re looking at you, plastic chokers.)
FASHION STYLES & AESTHETICS
10. Bohemian
This style is all about flowy fabrics, earthy tones, fringe, and free-spirited vibes. Think clothing styles that are artsy and unconventional.
11. Gothic
Dark, mysterious, and dramatic. Gothic fashion features black everything, lace, leather, corsets, and sometimes a little Victorian flair.
12. Vintage
Wearing pieces from past decades (or inspired by them). If you love ‘80s shoulder pads or ‘50s swing dresses, you’re riding the vintage wave.
13. Minimalist
Simple, clean, and no extra drama. Think neutral colors, sleek lines, and outfits that say, “I woke up chic.”
14. Androgynous
Gender-neutral fashion. Clothes that blur the lines between traditionally male and female styles. Tailored blazers, loose fits, and no hard gender rules.
15. Eclectic
A style cocktail. It’s when you mix unexpected patterns, textures, or eras and somehow make it work. Risky? Yes. But it slays when done right.
SILHOUETTES & GARMENT SHAPES
16. A-line
A dress or skirt that’s fitted at the top and flares gently to the hem, like the shape of the letter “A.”
17. Empire waist
The style created when the waist cut cinches right under the bust instead of at the natural waist. Great for flowy dresses and making your legs look extra long.
18. Silhouette
Fancy word for the overall shape or outline of an outfit on your body. Is it curvy, structured, flowy? That’s the silhouette talking.
GARMENT PARTS & MEASUREMENTS
19. Hemline
Where your dress or skirt ends. Mini, midi, maxi? That’s all about the hemline.
20. Waistline
The part of clothing that fits around your waist, whether it’s high-rise jeans or low-slung skirts, the waistline defines your fit.
21. Inseam
The measurement from the crotch to the bottom hem of your pants. Important if you don’t want your jeans dragging or cutting off your circulation.
22. Sleeve
You know this one, but fashion peeps talk sleeve types a lot. Puff, bell, cap, long: different sleeves can totally change a look.
DECORATIVE DETAILS & TECHNIQUES
23. Pattern
The print or design on fabric. Could be stripes, florals, animal print. Basically, the visual vibe of your outfit.
24. Appliqué
Decorative pieces of fabric sewn onto clothes for extra flair. Like that flower patch on your denim jacket? That’s appliqué.
25. Embellishment
Anything added to clothing for sparkle or spice. These include sequins, beads, crystals, fringe, and more. Extra? Yes. Worth it? Always.
26. Embroidery
Threadwork designs stitched onto fabric. From floral patterns to logos, embroidery adds class and character to clothes.
TYPES OF CLOTHING & COLLECTIONS
27. Capsule collection
A mini collection of essential pieces that can be mixed and matched. Great for minimalist wardrobes or limited-edition fashion drops.
28. Cruise collection
Also called resort wear, these are clothes made for vacays, yacht parties, or pretending you’re on one. Usually light, breezy, and luxury-level glam.
29. Outerwear
Any clothing you wear over your outfit to stay warm or stylish. These include coats, jackets, trench coats, bombers, you name it.
30. Sportswear
Originally meant gym clothes. Now? It means stylish, sporty looks like joggers, sneakers, hoodies, but make it fashionable.
So…
How many did you already know? If you made it through all 30, congrats, your fashion vocab just got a serious upgrade. For the next time you’re chatting with a designer, shopping smarter, or just trying not to blank out when someone says “haute couture,” these terms have you covered. Fashion isn’t just about looking good; it’s about knowing what you’re talking about too.
Of course, looking good is very important too, and we’re here for you on that. Check out our fashion collection for Kool dresses at really Kool prices!