Clothes and Fashion: English Vocabulary List

the products of making highly fashionable and expensive clothing

"The fashion show featured haute couture designs from Paris."

"Only a few fashion houses are allowed to call their creations haute couture which means they are custom made for wealthy clients in Paris."

a type of shoe that is flat with a low heel, made of leather, and can be worn without fastening

"He wears loafers."

"He wore comfortable brown leather loafers to the office because they were more casual than dress shoes but still looked professional enough for meetings."

a woman's dress styled after the traditional cloaks worn by men in the Near East

"She wore a kaftan."

"She wore a long silk kaftan over her swimsuit as she walked from the pool to her room at the resort."

a richly decorative fabric characterized by raised patterns

"The dress is brocade."

"Brocade fabric has raised patterns."

items of clothing and accessories for men

"He bought haberdashery items."

"The gentleman browsed the haberdashery for a new tie and a pair of elegant cufflinks."

a textured fabric with intricate woven patterns, commonly found in high-end clothing

"It is jacquard fabric."

"The hotel curtains were made of jacquard fabric with a intricate woven pattern of leaves and vines that looked very elegant in the lobby."

flowing gown worn by women in the late 17th and early 18th centuries

"She wore a mantua."

"The mantua was a popular 17th-century gown."

a decorative frill or extension of fabric that is attached at the waist of a garment

"The jacket has a peplum."

"Peplum adds a flared detail at the waist."

a part of a garment that is constructed from two or more layers of fabric, typically located at the shoulder or waist

"The dress has a yoke."

"The yoke is the part across the shoulders."

a long, loose-fitting dressing gown, usually worn by women after taking a bath or shower

"She wore a peignoir."

"The silk peignoir is elegant nightwear."

a medieval garment worn primarily by women, consisting of a cloth covering the head, neck, and sometimes the chin, often worn beneath a veil or hood

"The nun wore a traditional white wimple around her head and neck."

"The medieval nun wore a white wimple that covered her neck and framed her face along with a black veil over her head."

a crisp, smooth fabric with a slight sheen, commonly used in fashion for formal garments

"The skirt is taffeta."

"Taffeta makes a rustling sound when moved."

clothing or garments, especially when considered in terms of fashion or formal attire

"His raiment was fine."

"The king’s raiment was covered in jewels."

skilled dressmaker or fashion designer, particularly in the context of historical fashion

"She is a modiste."

"The modiste designed beautiful custom hats."

an additional item or clothing for a specific activity

"The accouterment is ready."

"Soldiers carried all their accouterments."

a small, ornamental handbag or purse, typically carried by women in the 18th and 19th centuries as a fashion accessory

"She carried a reticule."

"The lady held a small reticule purse."

a fancy decoration added to clothes for style

"The dress has furbelows."

"Furbelows are decorative frills on clothing."

the art, craft, or business of designing, making, or selling hats, especially women's

"She studies millinery."

"Millinery is the art of making hats."

a delicate metalwork, like jewelry, with intricate designs made from thin wires or threads

"The jewelry is filigree."

"Delicate gold filigree decorated the pendant."

a stiff, petticoat-like undergarment made of horsehair or a similar material, which is worn to give shape and volume to a woman's skirt

"The wedding dress had a wide crinoline skirt underneath."

"The Victorian woman wore a stiff crinoline cage under her wide skirt which held the heavy fabric away from her legs and created a bell shape."

a long, elegant coat worn often in the 19th century

"The pelisse was warm."

"The little girl wore a warm velvet pelisse over her dress to protect her from the cold wind as she walked to church with her family."

characterized by custom-made clothing tailored to an individual's preferences

"He wears bespoke suits."

"The wealthy man ordered a bespoke suit from a famous tailor in London who measured every part of his body for a perfect fit."

referring to clothing, particularly men's clothing, or the manner in which it is tailored or worn

"He has sartorial taste."

"The designer's latest collection showcased impeccable sartorial craftsmanship with perfectly tailored suits."

stitched together in a decorative pattern, creating a padded or textured surface

"She wore a quilted jacket."

"She wore a quilted jacket to protect herself from the cold wind and the thick fabric kept her warm during the winter storm."

(of a fabric or piece of clothing) made with many small folds or pleats

"Her dress is ruched."

"The ruched details on the dress added texture and volume and the bride looked elegant as she walked down the aisle."

(typically of a man) stylish and neat in appearance, often characterized by well-groomed attire and attention to detail

"He looks dapper."

"The dapper gentleman wore a bow tie and polished shoes and he tipped his hat to every lady he passed on the street."

required by etiquette or fashion norms, indicating it's currently popular or expected to wear

"This style is de rigueur."

"At the formal dinner black tie attire was de rigueur and anyone who showed up in casual clothes would be turned away."

high collar, often stiff, that encircles the neck and may extend to cover the shoulders, typically found in formal or historical attire

"The gorget was ornate."

"The ceremonial armor featured an ornate gorget that provided both protection and a distinguished, regal silhouette."

a decorative plume or feather worn as a fashion accessory on hats or helmets

"His hat had panache."

"The knight's helmet was adorned with a magnificent panache of vibrant red feathers, adding to his imposing appearance."