Fashion blogs are omniscient and omnipresent – if you haven’t been living under a rock, you would know of fashion bloggers educating the masses about the latest fashion diaries. However, people often look surprised when basic fashion terms are spoken in front of them. Don’t be embarrassed, brush up on your knowledge of fashion terms! Here are some commonly used fashion terms which you should know:
Haute Couture
Haute Couture basically means high end fashion constructed by hand. It is customized fashion clothing for the client according to the wearer’s measurement. What you see on the runway is haute couture which is crafted for a specific set of audience to wear. As it is fully hand-made, it is expensive, high in quality and finished with great technique. This, therefore, is time consuming.
Pret-a-porter
A term used for ready-to-wear (RTW) garments, it is also known as off-the-rack. RTW is the collection that is factory-made, with proper finishing and available in standard sizes. In fashion, it is also referred to as the clothing which is worn without alterations as they are tailored in standard sizes for the clients. Standard patterns and factory equipment are used to keep the cost low and to create a large batch. Some big fashion labels produce such collections but in limited numbers.
Heritage
Heritage dressing style refers to a refined style of fashion clothes. It is the mixture of vintage clothing and contemporary clothing. This fashion trend started in mid-2000s, which conveyed effortless and simple style. Heritage clothing has quality fabric, classic cuts and long-lasting wear. The outfits are sleek, crisp and give a vintage feel. Some brands create a heritage line based on their previous collections, while others create a fusion of popular, timeless designs.
Color Blocking
Originated from the artwork of Dutch painter Piet Mondrian, color blocking is the combination of interesting and complementary colors that are opposite to each other on the color wheel. Color blocking is different from how people usually dress as the fashion clothes have loud or clashing colors. Color-blocking can easily create illusions for body shapes as it is an abstract form of art.
Applique
Applique is the technique for attaching surface patterns for decoration to fashion clothes. The term comes from the word ‘appliqué’ which means ‘thing that has been applied’. Earlier, people used to stitch the pattern by hand but now people use sewing machines to attach them. These days, the sewing machines have programs inbuilt for applique designs.
Yoke
Yoke is a panel of fabric attached around the neck and shoulders. Yoke construction started in the 19th century. In the 1880s, the first bodice yoke was introduced with the yoke skirt in 1898. These days, yokes are embellished or embroidered, which gives the fashion clothes a new look.
Bias Cut
Bias cut means to cut the fabric diagonally. As it is cut diagonally, a bias-cut garment is difficult to sew. Fashion clothes that are made off striped material are cut on bias. As they are cut diagonally, it gives a different look than the other outfits which are cut on grain. They cling on the women’s curves and give a sexier look. Many women like the delicate flare of bias cut garments as a fashion trend.
Picture courtesy – firstview.com, revivalbridalboutique.com, pinming.com, amarieadhis, onewed.com and keepsakecrafts.net
