3 Fashion Forward Phrases

My fascination with fashion has not yet settled. Bespoke, Prêt-à-Porter, Made-to-measure, it all sounds

like a foreign language if you are not quite the fashion connoisseur! I love it when they talk 'foreign' but I must admit, I want to know what they mean when they use these terms. Here is the first installment of the Fashion Forward Phrases!

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 Bespoke

The phrase "bespoke" has its origins from England. In early years, it was referred to as tailor-made clothing. Traditionally bespoke is synonymous with a Savile Row suit for men. These are suits specifically made and individually tailored for a customer’s body. It is the highest form of custom product and similar to Haute Couture. Bespoke has since spilled over to products such as perfumes, cars and specticals etc.

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  Haute Couture

Haute Couture relates to high fashion. It is made from top quality fabric. Great detail goes into creating these items of clothing. Haute mean high or elegant and couture means dress making or needlework or sewing. A Haute Couture dress is an elegant dress that was design and made to order by a private client.

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Prêt-à-Porter

This term refers to factory made clothing, more commonly known as ‘off-the-rack’ clothing or ‘off-the-peg’. Valentino Garavani was one of the pioneers in this field. These items are finished, standardized size clothing sold on a large scale. (To boutiques, chain stores etc.)