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Learning to “speak fashion”
Fashion is a language, and like any language, it has its own vocabulary. Without understanding the terms, even the most creative ideas can get lost in translation.
University of Fashion is proud to announce their newly expanded, FREE fashion terminology section. Now, our A-Z fashion dictionary includes specific words and terms used in each of our 550+ lessons on the website. And with over 3,000 fashion terms, you’ll become fashion fluent in no time!
When Talent Isn’t Enough
This is a story about Maya, an aspiring designer who learned that being talented isn’t enough and that knowing fashion terminology isn’t just about sounding smart, it’s about building credibility, communicating clearly, and truly becoming part of the fashion world.
Maya learned the hard way that in fashion, words are as sharp as scissors.
On her first real internship at a midtown design studio, she stood in a flurry of muslin, markers and caffeine while her creative director rapid‑fired instructions. “Maya, on look 3 change the skirt from accordion pleats to side pleats. On look 4, change the dress neckline to a portrait collar, and on look 5 replace the back slit with a vent.”
Everyone around her nodded. Maya froze. She knew what an accordion pleated skirt looked like, but side pleats? No. She had absolutely had no idea what a portrait collar was and didn’t know the difference between a back slit and a vent. She’d drawn and illustrated dozens of clothes before, but now each word felt like a code she didn’t have the key to. She scribbled frantically in her notebook, hoping no one would notice the gap between her talent and her vocabulary.
Maya was embarrassed. She had always thought that creativity was enough. But now she saw that fashion is built on shared knowledge. Terms like “portrait collar,” “Peter Pan collar,” “raglan sleeve,” “bias cut,” and “French seam” aren’t just jargon—they’re the building blocks of design. They allow designers to communicate precisely, to collaborate effectively, and to bring ideas to life without confusion.
The Importance of Words
Maya spent the next few weeks studying fashion terminology. She learned that a portrait collar is a high, structured collar that frames the face and that a back vent is a tailored detail where the underlying seam allowances overlap compared to just a back slit. She also learned that there are many different types of side pleat configurations. It dawned on her the real meaning of the term “fashionspeak”.
The Lesson
Maya learned that fashion terminology isn’t just about sounding professional. It’s about understanding the craft, communicating clearly, and building credibility. Without it, even the most talented designer can be misunderstood. But with it, the possibilities are endless.
Quick Access to Fashion Terminology
As she walked through the studio, Maya overheard a new intern struggling to explain a design. She smiled and offered to help. “Let me introduce you to University of Fashion’s free A–Z dictionary of fashion terminology.”
University of Fashion A-Z Terminology link
More Fashion Fluency
Want to sharpen your fashion IQ and drop terminology like a seasoned front-row regular? Consider adding the Historical Dictionary of the Fashion Industry by Francesca Sterlacci and Joanne Arbuckle to your library; it is the kind of reference that makes your vocabulary as polished as your tailoring.
