Vocabulary Related to Fashion

Vocabulary Related to Fashion (with Meanings & Natural Examples)

Fashion is far more than clothes. It’s a form of self-expression influenced by culture, society, history, and personal identity. When we talk about fashion, we’re talking about what people choose to wear, how they combine clothes and accessories, and the message those choices send. Some people follow trends closely, while others deliberately step away from them to express individuality. In this lesson, you’ll learn useful vocabulary related to fashion, from everyday words to industry terms, all explained clearly with natural example sentences.

Accessorise

Meaning: to add accessories such as jewellery, scarves, or hats to an outfit.

Ted accessorised his suit with a stylish tie and a pocket square.

Avant-garde

Used to describe fashion that is innovative, experimental, and unconventional.

The designer became famous for her avant-garde collections.

Bespoke

Clothing that is custom-made for one person, based on their measurements.

He ordered a bespoke suit for his wedding.

Boho (bohemian)

A free-spirited style inspired by art, travel, and alternative culture.

She loves boho dresses with flowing fabrics and earthy colours.

Capsule wardrobe

A small collection of essential items that can be mixed and matched easily.

A capsule wardrobe saves time and reduces unnecessary shopping.

Changing / fitting room

A space in a shop where customers try on clothes.

She tried the jacket on in the fitting room.

Chic

Stylish in a simple, elegant way.

Her chic outfit was perfect for the evening event.

Couturier

A designer who creates high-end, custom-made fashion (haute couture).

The couturier’s designs often appear on red carpets.

Designer labels

Well-known luxury fashion brands.

Celebrities often wear designer labels at major events.

Drape

The way fabric hangs or falls on the body.

The soft fabric had a beautiful drape.

Eclectic

A style that combines elements from different sources or periods.

Her eclectic wardrobe mixes vintage and modern pieces.

Edgy

Bold, unconventional, and slightly rebellious in style.

He prefers an edgy look with leather jackets and boots.

Ensemble

A complete outfit worn together.

She wore an elegant ensemble for the ceremony.

Fabric

Material used to make clothes and textiles.

She chose a lightweight fabric for the summer dress.

Fashion-forward

Ahead of current fashion trends.

She’s always been fashion-forward.

Fashionista

A person who is passionate about fashion and style.

As a fashionista, she never misses fashion week.

Fast fashion

Cheap clothing produced quickly to follow trends.

Fast fashion is popular but environmentally controversial.

To fit someone

To be the right size and shape for someone.

The jacket fits him perfectly.

Glamorous

Elegant, luxurious, and attractive.

She looked glamorous in her evening gown.

Haute couture

High-end, custom-made fashion created by top designers.

Paris is famous for haute couture.

Item of clothing

Any individual piece of clothing.

She donated several items of clothing to charity

A look

A specific style or overall appearance.

She created a striking look for the party.

Lookbook

A collection of photos showing a designer’s latest collection.

The brand released its autumn lookbook.

Minimalist

A style based on simplicity and clean design.

Minimalist fashion often uses neutral colours.

Out of fashion

No longer trendy or popular.

That style went out of fashion years ago.

Rack

A structure for hanging clothes in a shop or wardrobe.

The sale items were on the back rack.

Ready-to-wear (prêt-à-porter)

Clothes made in standard sizes and sold ready to wear.

The designer’s ready-to-wear line was more affordable.

Runway

The stage where models present clothes during fashion shows.

She dreams of walking the runway in Paris.

Silhouette

The overall shape or outline of a garment.

Designers experiment with different silhouettes.

Streetwear

Casual clothing inspired by urban and youth culture.

Streetwear often includes hoodies and trainers.

Stylish

Fashionable and attractive.

He received compliments on his stylish outfit.

To suit someone

To look good on someone.

That colour really suits you.

Sustainable fashion

Fashion designed to reduce environmental and social harm.

She supports sustainable fashion brands.

Textile

A type of woven or knitted fabric.

The designer imported luxury textiles from Italy.

Trendsetter

Someone who introduces new styles that others follow.

Coco Chanel was a major trendsetter.

Vintage

Clothing from a previous era, often valued for its quality or style.

She loves wearing vintage dresses.

Final Tip for Learners

Fashion vocabulary appears frequently in speaking exams, reviews, and descriptive writing. Try using a few of these words when describing clothes, people, or events — accuracy matters more than quantity.

Download Vocabulary Related to Fashion – Practice Worksheet (B2–C1) in PDF here

Learn vocabulary related to media here