Plain-English dictionary
Glossary
16 everyday terms explained simply, no jargon.
A
- Alteration
- A change made to a garment, such as shortening a hem, so it fits your body better.
C
- Capsule wardrobe
- A small collection of versatile pieces that mix and match to create many outfits.
- Cost per wear
- A way to judge value by dividing an item's price by how many times you expect to wear it.
D
- Drape
- The way a fabric hangs and falls on the body.
F
- Fabric weight
- How heavy or light a material is, which affects how it feels and which season it suits.
- Fit
- How well a garment's shape and size match your body.
L
- Layering
- Wearing several pieces on top of one another for warmth or visual interest.
N
- Natural vs synthetic
- The distinction between fibers grown from plants or animals, like cotton and wool, and those made from chemicals, like polyester.
P
- Palette
- The set of colors you choose to build your outfits around.
- Pilling
- The small fuzzy balls that form on fabric surfaces from rubbing and wear.
- Proportion
- How the sizes of different parts of an outfit relate to each other and to your body.
S
- Seasonal rotation
- Swapping clothes in and out of your active wardrobe as the weather changes through the year.
- Silhouette
- The overall outline or shape an outfit creates.
- Smart casual
- A relaxed but put-together dress style that sits between formal and everyday wear.
- Staple
- A basic, reliable item you reach for often and that works with many outfits.
T
- Tailoring
- The craft of cutting and adjusting clothing so it fits a specific body precisely.
Missing a term you'd like explained? Tell us via the contact page and we'll add it.