Have you always wanted to know what gaucho pants or a henley shirt are? Find the definitions and descriptions of different styles of clothing.
The world of fashion is always changing, and new terms are added constantly. What are these styles they talk about, such as Peter Pan collars and Bermuda shorts? Find the definitions to these and more below.
A Fashion Forward Dictionary
- Bermuda shorts - Bermuda shorts are also called walking shorts. This style of shorts is somewhat dressy, looking a bit like dress pants cropped off just above the knee. The name originates from the warm weather country of the same name where it was acceptable to wear such short trousers for business or in the military. Bermuda shorts may be cuffed or uncuffed.
- Blazer - The term blazer can used interchangeably with sport coat. Blazers are jackets that commonly have metal buttons in the front and on the sleeves. They may be made of a sturdy material than a suit coat, with patches on the elbows. Blazers are often used as part of uniforms or to dress up a look such as jeans and a button-down shirt. Blazers may be either double or single breasted.
- Capri pants - Capris can also be called clam diggers or pedal pushers. These styles are all similar and have been used interchangeably. Capris are women's pants that extend either to just below the knee or to just above the ankle. These shorter pants are often worn in warm weather. They pass as more "dressy" to wear than shorts at events. Because capris tend to chop the look of the length of a leg, fashion experts recommend them for tall women only; however, they are very popular among all size women.
- Cargo pants or shorts - Cargo bottoms, by definition, should have extra pockets for carrying a multitude of supplies. Most people do not actually use these pockets, but the name derived from their working uses. Cargo pants are usually roomier to allow for the pocket storage and are often made of khaki-colored material.
- Culottes or skorts - These terms are often used interchangeably. The term skort comes from the words skirt and shorts. Culottes and skorts are a combination of these two items. In general they look like a skirt but they have two separate legs which are seen better when walking or from the back of the garment. Also, see gaucho pants.
- Double-breasted and single-breasted - A double-breasted coat is a coat that has one side overlapping the other side with enough space that two vertical rows of buttons are needed on the front to close it. Single-breasted jackets have a more standard overlap requiring only one row of buttons. Double-breasted jackets make a person look wider and bulkier.
- Gaucho pants - These pants became popular in the early 2000s. The gaucho pant is similar to culottes or skorts, except the pants extend for a couple inches below the knee. The style mimics the look of South American cowboys.
- Henley shirt - A henley shirt is a shirt with no collar and about two buttons in the front. Henley shirts may be long or short sleeved and worn by men or women.
- Peter Pan collar - Peter Pan collars are collars on shirts that have rounded edges, with a scalloped look, rather than the harsher but traditional point. Peter Pan collars are worn by women and children.
- Polo shirt - Polo shirts are also called golf shirts or tennis shirts. They are short-sleeved shirts with collars and a few buttons at the neck. They are commonly solid-colored or striped.
The copyright of the article A Fashion Glossary in Women’s Fashion is owned by Kelly Whitt. Permission to republish A Fashion Glossary in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.
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