Fashion Glossary/Men

a

Argyle
Knitted or woven in a pattern of diamond-shaped figures of different colors.

Ralph Lauren

Aviator Sunglasses
The classic is the Erik Estrada version as worn by Francis "Ponch" Poncherello in CHiPs. Now there are slews of take-offs in everything from leather-coated wire to plastic frames from every designer.

Ray-Bans

b

Bespoke
A term employed in menswear in a variety of applications to mean an item custom-made to the buyer's specification of design, fabrication, lining, details, etc.

Kiton

Boat Neck
A high, wide, straight neckline that runs straight across the front and back, meeting at the shoulders having the same depth in the front and back.

Ralph Lauren

Boiled Wool
Wool fabric that has been processed to make it more dense and compact by subjecting the woven fabric to heat, pressure, and moisture.

Reiss

Bootleg
A pant style that tapers to the knee and then flares out gently so as to accommodate the bulk of the boot.

Wrangler

Button-Down Collar
Designating a collar, as on a shirt, having points fastened by small buttons to the front of the garment.

Ralph Lauren

c

Car Coat
Car coats are outwear which were originally designed for driving in open cars, which could get cold in the evening or at high rates of speed. The main distinguishing feature of a car coat is the A-line style, flat front, and mid-thigh length. These features make it practical for wearing in a car, because they allow a driver to move comfortably while staying warm.

Ferragamo

Chalk Stripe
A stripe in a parallel formation in suiting fabric which is wider and more muted than a pinstripe.

Paul Stuart

Chambray
A smooth fabric of cotton made by weaving white or unbleached threads across a colored warp - used most commonly for shirts.

Ralph Lauren

Chevron
The general shape of a 'V' or a triangular shape used in design.
Chukka Boots
A short, ankle-length boot having two or three pairs of eyelets. Also referred to as desert boots, they were originally designed to be worn in the desert by British troops and have become fashion staple for both man and women alike.

Timberland

Color Blocking
Usually three or more distinctively different colors separated by shapes or geometric areas on a garment or accessory.

Barneys New York

Corduroy
A durable usually cotton pile fabric with vertical ribs or wales.

Levi's

Cuff
A rigid bracelet with a gap in the material, usually on its reverse side. The opening lets one easily slip the bracelet over a wrist.

Saint Laurent

d

Deconstruction
Is a term used to describe clothing that has been taken apart and put back together in a new unexpected way, or looks unfinished, raw and as though it may be deteriorating.
Diamond Shape (aka ‘Cut’)
The shape of a diamond traditionally used in an engagement ring setting.
Driving Shoes
Driving shoes (aka Drivers) are designed specifically for driving and not walking as they have no soles, but, instead, rubber grommets designed for gripping automobile accelerators. Designed for comfort, they are also a great alternative for wearing at home and on an airplane. They are made in every material and color imaginable, for both women and men.

Tod's

e

Embellishment
Something that embellishes any clothing, shoes or accessories and is ornamental. It is typically sewn on or attached upon any given material.
Embroidery
Embroidery is an ancient variety of decorative needlework in which designs and pictures are created by stitching strands of some material on to a layer of another material. Most embroidery uses thread or wool stitched onto a woven fabric. Embroidery very often takes on a boho or ethnic vibe.

Dries Van Noten

Epaulette
Any shoulder ornament, usually a button strap; often seen with braiding or other trim.

Thom Browne

f

Fair Isle
A traditional knitting technique used to create patterns with multiple colors and is named after Fair Isle, a tiny island north of Scotland.

Ralph Lauren

Field Coat
Originally designed for hunting and is typically constructed from cotton canvas and has underarm gussets for ease of movement as well as multiple pockets. Stylized versions are now available from a host of designers.

Belstaff

Finish
The level of perfection with which a garment is completed. In the best garments, the inside will look as complete as the outside.

g

Gabardine
A sturdy, durable, lightweight twill fabric of cotton, wool or rayon.
Gingham
A cotton fabric, usually woven of two colored yarns in a checked design.
Gladiator Sandals
A flat sandal that has several straps across the top holding the sole to the foot and a strap around the ankle.

h

Henley
A collarless pullover shirt, characterized by a 4-6" long slit beneath the round neckline, usually having 2-5 buttons.

Ralph Lauren

i

Ikat
A handicraft where the yarns are carefully tie-dyed in a particular design before they are woven together.
Instep
The arched middle part of the foot between toes and ankle.
Intarsia
A knitted design resembling a mosaic that is visible on both sides of a fabric.

k

Kangaroo Pocket
A pocket formed by sewing a swath of cloth over the garment leaving two open ends.

l

Lapel
An extension of the collar in a jacket that folds out. The width and length of the lapel varies widely from season to season and designer to designer.
Laser-Cut
A modern technique for cutting openwork patterns into fabric or leather using laser-equipped computerized equipment.
Lining
The inner layer used to cover the inside of garment. Usually of a soft, smooth fabric - the right lining can add give an outfit a more flattering fall.

m

Madras
Madras is a pattern that originated in a city in East India, formerly named Madras. This summer fabric style is distinguished by a pattern of colorful checks and stripes. The stripes of a madras check or plaid consist of different colored stripes that cross each other to form uneven checks. Madras has become a popular preppy pattern for shorts, casual shirts, sport coats and neck ties.

Thom Grey

Military
A style of clothing or accessories for men and women that borrow from military inspirations such as epaulettes, army green, field coats, camouflage and the like.
Minimalism
A trend in design where clothes are stripped down to their most basic elements. A look characterized by simple forms and basic color schemes. A minimalist look.
Moleskin
A heavy durable cotton fabric with a short thick velvety nap on one side.
Motorcycle (Moto) Boot
A fashion boot styled after men's boots that were designed to protect the driver when driving a motorcycle. These boots typically have a low chunky heel, are made from a thicker leather or suede and are adorned with o-rings or buckles.
Motorcycle (Moto) Jacket
Based on a traditional black leather men's version from the 1950's, you will now find them in a variety of fabrications and color options as well as various lengths, from long to cropped.

n

Neckline
The most popular necklines are V-neck, square neck, round neck, boat neck, scooped neck, halter and keyhole.
Notched Lapel
Having an indentation in a collar in which the seam between the collar and lapel on each side forms a notch.

o

Ombré
A French word meaning shaded describing the appearance of related colors shading from light to dark or vice versa within one garment. A popular all-season pattern for accessories and clothing.

p

Panama Hat
A natural-colored, hand-plaited hat (which is then often dyed) made from leaves of the jipijapa plant of South and Central America.
Peacoat
Originally, a heavy woolen double-breasted jacket originally worn by sailors, o\it has now been adapted in every color and fabric for both men and women.

Moncler

Peak Lapel
The peak lapel has two points of fabric that run on both sides of the jacket and project upwards. The fabric narrows even further upon the point nearing the lapel and the collar, and slowly disappears into the jacket. The peak lapel forms a broad "V-shaped" opening on the jacket.
Pinstripe
Pinstripes are thin, vertical stripes that are narrower than pencil or chalk stripes. Pin stripes are usually one to two yarns thick and are sometimes broken. The widths between the stripes vary but are always wider apart than hairline stripes.
Pleats
A technique to create volume in a garment by folding fabric and stitching it down at the top of the fold. Types of pleats include knife pleats (all folds facing one direction), box pleats (two flat folds in opposite directions with edges of the fabric meeting underneath), and inverted pleats (similar to a box pleat but with the fullness on the outer side).
Point Collar
This collar point suitably should have a width of about 2 ½ - 3 inches and this would generally fit most average weight man. It also has a much smaller gap between the collar points and so can be worn without a tie as well.

Theory

Poplin
A plain strong cotton fabric with very fine ribbing used in a variety of clothes such as dresses, skirts, pants, shirts, jackets and ties for both men and women.
Prince Of Wales
A woolen fabric with a woven twill design of small and large checks, originally created for men's suits but now also used in womenswear.
PVC
Polyvinyl chloride, commonly abbreviated as PVC, is the third-most widely produced plastic. It can be made softer and more flexible by the addition of plasticizers, the most widely used being phthalates - it is in this form that it is used in clothing.

q

Quilted
Padded, filled, or stitched in the manner of a quilt.

s

Seersucker
A light thin fabric, generally cotton or rayon, with a crinkled surface and a usually striped pattern.
Shawl Collar
A one-piece collar that is turned down to form an elegant, continuous line around the back of the neck to the front of a garment.

Brooks Brothers

Spread Collar
A shirt or jacket collar with a wide spread between the points.
 

Canali

Straight Legged
Pants that have been cut straight from the hip to the floor, i.e. of equal width throughout.

t

Tartan Plaid
Tartan plaid is the pattern that is most often found on Scottish kilts. This plaid consists of vertical and horizontal or diagonal stripes that cross each other to form different sized checks.
Tattersall
A check pattern that consists of thin, regularly spaced stripes in alternating colors that are repeated both horizontally and vertically. The stripes that create the tatersall pattern often come in two different colors and are usually darker than the background color.

Ralph Lauren

Tweed
A rough, unfinished woollen fabric, of a soft, open, flexible texture, resembling cheviot or homespun, but more closely woven. It is made in either plain or twill weave and may have a check or herringbone pattern. Subdued, interesting colour effects (heather mixtures) are obtained by twisting together differently coloured woollen strands into a two- or three-ply yarn.

u

Ultrasuede
Ultrasuede is the trade name for a synthetic microfiber fabric invented in 1970 by Dr. Miyoshi Okamoto, a scientist working for Toray Industries. It was the world's first ultra-microfiber. It is often described as an artificial substitute for suede leather.

v

Vintage
A trend in fashion now that references designs and other details from bygone eras from the 1920s to the 1990s.

w

Windowpane
A design that looks like a windowpane, with narrow bands of one color forming an over-check that encloses rectangles of another ground color.

Brooks Brothers Black Fleece

Wingtips
Wingtip shoes feature a toe cap that comes to a point in the center, and spreads out toward the sides of the shoes, in a shape that somewhat resembles wings. This part of the shoe is sometimes perforated with small holes around the edges.

Ralph Lauren

y

Yoke
The fitted top of a garment across the shoulders in front or back, usually a separate piece seamed across the front and back; sometimes lined.

Levi's