Fashion Terms
Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
Fashion terminology is the specialized vocabulary of the clothing and fashion industries — the words designers, manufacturers, retailers and consumers use for garments, fabrics, production processes, business concepts and style movements. This hub is the front door to the Apparel Search glossary: pick a letter below to browse the term directory for that part of the alphabet, open the complete Fashion Terms Directory for the full A–Z listing, or use Fashion Terms by Category to browse topics such as apparel manufacturing, fashion jobs and clothing trims instead of letters.
Fashion Terminology Guide — Browse by Letter
- Fashion Terms A
- Fashion Terms B
- Fashion Terms C
- Fashion Terms D
- Fashion Terms E
- Fashion Terms F
- Fashion Terms G
- Fashion Terms H
- Fashion Terms I
- Fashion Terms J
- Fashion Terms K
- Fashion Terms L
- Fashion Terms M
- Fashion Terms N
- Fashion Terms O
- Fashion Terms P
- Fashion Terms Q
- Fashion Terms R
- Fashion Terms S
- Fashion Terms T
- Fashion Terms U
- Fashion Terms V
- Fashion Terms W
- Fashion Terms X
- Fashion Terms Y
- Fashion Terms Z
- Fashion Terms by Number
- Fashion Terms Directory
- Fashion Terms by Category
Fashion Terms by Apparel Search
A guide to fashion industry terminology — browse the glossary by letter or by category.
If you are searching for traditional definitions, you can check our clothing definitions area or you can visit our apparel glossary section. Both areas can assist you with learning the meaning of particular words. In this section, we are creating an area of "concepts" & terminology that we feel are important to the fashion industry as well as being relevant to consumers. Our goal is to provide you with information that is formatted around key topics and areas of interest to the apparel industry as well as fashion consumer products.
For example, we will provide a section that is a compilation of resources relevant to "Women's Fashion". In this particular area, one may find methods to purchase women's clothing, manufacturer women's clothing, or simply read news articles on the subject. In addition, you may be able to view career opportunities or fashion tips that are relevant to women's fashion.
Fashion Terminology Guide
Pick a letter to browse the term directory for that part of the alphabet:
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What Is Fashion Terminology?
Terminology refers to a specialized set of words, phrases, or expressions used within a particular field, discipline, or subject area. These terms are often unique to that specific domain and may have distinct meanings or nuances that differ from their usage in everyday language. Terminology serves to facilitate clear and precise communication among professionals or experts within a given field.
Fashion terminology pertains to the vocabulary and jargon specific to the world of fashion. It encompasses a wide range of terms and expressions used by designers, stylists, industry professionals, and fashion enthusiasts to describe various aspects of clothing, accessories, design, trends, and the fashion industry as a whole. Fashion terminology is essential for effective communication and understanding within the fashion industry and among those interested in fashion. It includes terms related to clothing types, fabric descriptions, design elements, fashion eras, and much more.
Here are a few summary examples of fashion terminology:
- Haute Couture
- Refers to high-fashion, custom-made clothing produced by leading fashion houses. It often involves intricate craftsmanship and is tailored to an individual client's measurements.
- Silhouette
- Describes the overall shape or outline created by a garment when worn. Silhouettes can range from fitted and hourglass-shaped to loose and flowing, depending on the design.
- A-line
- A style of dress or skirt that is narrower at the top and gradually widens towards the hem, creating a shape resembling the letter "A."
- Hemline
- The edge or border of a garment, typically at the bottom, which can vary in length from short to long.
- LBD (Little Black Dress)
- A classic and versatile black dress that is simple and elegant, suitable for various occasions.
- Couturier
- A fashion designer who specializes in haute couture or custom-made clothing.
- Fashionista
- A person who is highly devoted to and knowledgeable about fashion and style.
- Runway
- The long, narrow platform on which models walk to display clothing during fashion shows.
These are just a few examples, and fashion terminology covers a vast array of terms used to describe clothing, accessories, design techniques, and the intricacies of the fashion industry. Understanding these terms is essential for those working in or interested in the world of fashion.
Hot Topics of Interest
Here are a few hot topics of interest from the fashion terms section:
- Bridge Collections
- Contemporary Fashion
- Size Specs
- Fashion Icon
- Fashion Diva
- Fashion Network
- Women's Fashion
- Fashionista
- Passion for Fashion
- Black Friday Fashion
- Consumerism
- Fast Fashion
- Haute Couture
- Fashion Industry Overview
- Swag
- pret-a-porter
- Vintage Fashion
- Fashion Apps
- Fashion Statement
- Footwear
- Diffusion Lines
- Capsule Collections
- Haute Couture, Ready-To-wear, and Prêt-à-Porter
- Jersey vs Interlock
- Peplum
- Social Media for Fashion
- Apparel Industry Price Points
- Wearable Technology
- Omnichannel
- Assortment Planning for Fashion Retail
- Emerging Fashion Designers
- Boho-chic
- Christmas Fashion
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Learn more about fashion. It is always a good idea to further educate yourself regarding clothing, fabrics, style, and apparel.
It is always a good time to learn more about fashion and the apparel industry.
Learning the Language of Fashion
Every trade develops its own vocabulary, and fashion is no exception: a buyer, a pattern maker and a retail manager may all use the same word — silhouette, drape, capsule, diffusion — to mean something precise that everyday usage only approximates. Learning that vocabulary is the fastest way to read trade coverage, follow a production conversation, or understand exactly what a product description is promising. The examples on this page — haute couture for high-fashion custom-made clothing, A-line for a dress or skirt narrower at the top and widening toward the hem, hemline for the edge at the bottom of a garment, LBD for the little black dress, couturier for a designer specializing in custom clothing, fashionista for a person devoted to fashion, and runway for the platform models walk during a show — show the range: garment parts, garment shapes, industry roles, slang and show production all have their own terms.
The directory below is organized for browsing as much as for lookup. A reader who starts from one letter can move across neighboring concepts, and the hot topics list on this page surfaces the terms readers ask about most often, from bridge collections and size specs to fast fashion, wearable technology and omnichannel retail.
Common Questions
What is fashion terminology?
Terminology is a specialized set of words, phrases and expressions used within a particular field. Fashion terminology is the vocabulary specific to the world of fashion — terms for clothing types, fabric descriptions, design elements, fashion eras and industry business concepts, used so professionals and enthusiasts can communicate precisely.
How is the fashion terms directory organized?
Two ways: by letter, with a directory page for every letter from A to Z plus terms that start with a number, and by category, with terms grouped by topic such as apparel manufacturing, fashion jobs and clothing trims. Every term has its own page with a definition and explanation.
What is the difference between this terms section and the definitions and glossary areas?
This section covers concepts and terminology in explanatory article form. The clothing definitions area and the apparel glossary give shorter, traditional dictionary-style definitions of particular words; all three areas help with learning the meaning of fashion words.