Fashion Glossary
- Haute Couture: French for “high sewing” or “high dressmaking,” haute couture refers to the creation of exclusive, custom-fitted garments made to the highest standards of craftsmanship. Haute couture houses produce one-of-a-kind designs that often showcase innovative techniques and luxurious materials.
- Ready-to-Wear (RTW): Also known as prêt-à-porter, ready-to-wear refers to clothing that is mass-produced and available for purchase off-the-rack in standard sizes. Unlike haute couture, ready-to-wear collections are designed for a broader market and are typically more affordable and accessible.
- Avant-Garde: Avant-garde fashion refers to designs that push the boundaries of conventional aesthetics and challenge traditional notions of style. Avant-garde designers often experiment with unconventional materials, exaggerated silhouettes, and avant-garde themes to create bold and innovative garments.
- Streetwear: Streetwear is a style of casual clothing inspired by urban culture and rooted in the skateboard, surf, and hip-hop scenes. Characterized by graphic t-shirts, hoodies, sneakers, and baseball caps, streetwear blends elements of sportswear, punk, and high fashion to create a distinctively urban aesthetic.
- Minimalism: Minimalism in fashion refers to a style characterized by simplicity, clean lines, and a pared-down aesthetic. Minimalist designs often feature neutral color palettes, sleek silhouettes, and understated details, prioritizing simplicity and functionality over ornamentation.
- Bohemian: Bohemian fashion, often shortened to “boho,” is inspired by the free-spirited ethos of the bohemian lifestyle. Bohemian style embraces eclectic, layered looks with flowing silhouettes, vibrant colors, and bohemian prints such as paisley and floral.
- Vintage: Vintage fashion refers to clothing and accessories that are at least 20 years old and often evoke the style of a particular era, such as the 1920s, 1960s, or 1980s. Vintage clothing may be authentic pieces from past decades or modern garments designed to replicate vintage styles.
- Ethical Fashion: Ethical fashion encompasses clothing and accessories produced in a manner that prioritizes social and environmental sustainability. This includes fair labor practices, environmentally friendly materials, and transparent supply chains aimed at reducing the industry’s impact on people and the planet.
- Capsule Wardrobe: A capsule wardrobe is a curated collection of essential clothing items that can be mixed and matched to create a variety of outfits. Capsule wardrobes typically consist of versatile, timeless pieces that transcend seasonal trends and promote a more minimalist approach to dressing.
- Cosplay: Short for “costume play,” cosplay is a hobby in which participants, known as cosplayers, dress up as characters from movies, TV shows, video games, anime, manga, or comic books. Cosplay often involves intricate costumes, elaborate makeup, and immersive role-playing at conventions and events.