Difficult Fashion Terms - A Fashion Dictionary for You

Recently, our team came up with the idea of creating a blog post that would serve as a Fashion Dictionary , explaining all the difficult terms in this area. To begin, Ania has gathered some men's fashion terms that might be challenging. In the second part of the article, you'll find some summer fashion terms that are particularly relevant right now. We hope you enjoy reading!

Men's fashion - difficult concepts

The summer season certainly brings with it various events and celebrations that require an elegant dress code. When searching for the right pieces for your outfit, you might come across these terms:

Breast pocket - a pocket in a jacket located at the level of the left breast. A pocket square is placed in the breast pocket.
Boutonniere - a buttonhole in the lapel of a jacket.
A pocket square is a rectangular handkerchief that fits into the breast pocket. It is a decorative element and should match the color of the tie and jacket, but should not be the same color as the tie or bow tie. For formal attire, a plain white pocket square is recommended.
Lapels – Two lapels are most common on formal jackets, while one is more common on less formal jackets. The exceptions are, however, jackets worn with frock coats, tuxedos, and tailcoats, which are considered the most elegant attire.
Monk shoes – semi-formal footwear with a distinctive two-buckle closure. Due to their unusual shape, monk shoes add an interesting accent to any outfit.
Chinos – a type of semi-formal trousers with slanted front pockets. They are an absolute must-have in every man's wardrobe, as they can be worn casually or more elegantly with a shirt and a semi-formal jacket.
Oxfords - a model of elegant, formal footwear with a closed vamp (part of the shoe upper sewn to the sole, covering the foot).
Derby - a type of footwear with an open vamp.
Brogues are a type of footwear with characteristic openwork decorations. They can be found in both derby and oxford styles.
Button down - a type of informal collar fastened with buttons to a shirt.
A cutaway collar is a type of shirt collar with widely spaced lapels. Men wear it when preparing for important business meetings or formal occasions. A tie should be worn with a cutaway collar shirt.
Kent collar – the most popular type of shirt collar. The lapels are not as wide as those of the Italian collar. Kent collar shirts are very elegant and perfectly complement a suit.
Popover - a type of shirt that only buttons halfway and is pulled over the head.
Smart casual - a style that combines elegant and casual style, perfect for everyday wear or less formal occasions.
Club set - this is a type of coordinated set that consists of a navy blue jacket and gray trousers.
Coordinated set - this is a set of jacket and trousers made of a different fabric and a different color .

Difficult concepts of summer fashion

It's time for the second part of our glossary – summer fashion terms . Ania will also introduce you to a few terms you might encounter when assembling your summer wardrobe. Let's get started!

Espadrilles are slip-on shoes made of fabric, with a distinctive feature being a braided cord around the sole. Espadrilles are not only found in women's fashion; they are also becoming increasingly popular in men's fashion. They complement a summer outfit with a shirt and Bermuda shorts.
Moccasins are slip-on leather shoes, usually with a slightly pointed toe . They are slightly more elegant than ballet flats due to their stiff construction.
Mules - a type of elegant leather mules , they can be heeled or not, and are available with or without open toes.
Halter - a type of neckline that is very high up to the neck and reveals the shoulders.
Spanish neckline - also known as "Carmen", is directly connected to the sleeves, revealing the shoulders and upper back.
Tank top - a t-shirt with straps, without sleeves.
Palazzo pants (swede) – loose, high-waisted, wide- leg trousers, usually made of flowing fabrics. Despite their long legs, they are perfect for summer thanks to their loose fit. They look great with heels.
Culottes – very wide trousers that reach mid-calf. Their width can mimic a midi skirt. They are very comfortable and airy, making them perfect for hot weather.
Bermuda shorts – knee-length trousers. The name comes from the workwear worn by fishermen living in Bermuda. These trousers pair well with linen shirts and polo shirts.
A soleil is a flared, pleated skirt that falls below the knee, usually made of flowing fabrics. Its name comes from the French word soleil, meaning "sun." Depending on the accessories, it can be worn at work, at a wedding, or even in everyday life.
Shirt dress - a shirt dress, it is a timeless (promoted in the 1950s by Brigitte Bardot) and multifunctional dress.
Monokini - a swimsuit resembling a two-piece swimsuit, with the difference that the top and bottom are connected by narrow straps.
Tankini - a two-piece swimsuit consisting of a T-shirt and panties.
A pareo is a wrap made of thin, airy material, most often worn on the beach. It can be tied in many ways.
Balconette - this is a strapless bra, perfect when you don't want to expose your bra straps, e.g. under spaghetti strap tops, halter necklines, or Spanish or halter necklines.
Aviator sunglasses, a timeless style of sunglasses, were created by Ray-Ban in the 1930s for airline pilots. They are characterized by a thin metal frame and dark, often mirrored lenses in a tapered oval or teardrop shape.
Clubmasters – also an iconic Ray-Ban sunglasses model. The top of the glasses is made of thick plastic, while the bottom and nose piece are finished with thin gold wire.
Wayfarer sunglasses, originally created by Ray-Ban for travelers, feature plastic frames and rectangular lenses with oval corners. They pair best with sporty outfits.

Knowing the terms associated with the names of clothing items will allow you to better understand the differences between individual items of clothing, and you'll be able to more quickly find the sunglasses, swimsuit, or shoe you're looking for by entering the appropriate phrase into an online search engine. Let us know if you'd like to see another installment of this fashion dictionary!