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The bustier is an upper body garment that fits close to the bodice, with straps on the shoulders. There is not usually boning in a bustier, but it is made up of many sections, similar to a corset. The most famous and easy to recognise bustier is the one John Paul Gaultier made for Madonna! The caftan (also spelled as kaftan) is a loose fitting garment made popular in the 1950s by Christian Dior. Traditionally it was open at the front, though in the 2000s they have often been created closed as a simple pull-on style dress or cover up. Kaftan - Photo by Malcolm Tam We’ve all worn cardigans knitted by our grandmas right? Much like a sweater, cardigans are made from knit fabrics and have a front opening. They can be zippered, but a button opening is more popular. They were made famous in the 1920s by Chanel as part of the two and three piece sets with skirts. A cloak is worn as an overgarment which can cover just the upper body, or be longer in length reaching the thighs, knees or even ankles.
They typically have slits in the front for the arms to exit as and when needed. A coat is similar to a jacket, but longer in length and designed for colder weather. They’re more of a winter garment and can be made from heavy weight fabrics such as wool, with interlining added for extra warmth before the lining Is added. Historically corsets were worn under clothes such as dresses and laced up very tightly to ‘cinch’ in the waist so that it was as tiny as possible. Since 1987 when Vivienne Westwood added corsets into her collection, other fashion designers have followed suit, and corsets are now a well used type of clothing used in dresses and as separate pieces! Corsets differ from bustiers in that they use ‘stays’ or ‘boning’ to provide structure and support. These can be metal, plastic or polyester boning. A dress is a garment which hangs from the shoulders, covering the upper body area, buttocks and thighs. It can be close fitting ot loose and airy. Stylistic variations mean that dresses can also be strapless, which requires them to be closely fitted to the upper bodice, and can also fall to any length between thigh and floor.
I have an indepth guide to the different types of dresses if you’d like to learn more. Worn by women during the World Wars, dungarees were originally workwear for men. They’re made up of trousers, a front and back bib, which are secured together with should straps. Now worn by women and children more than men, the dungaree has become a firm favourite, being made of denim, corduroy and vibrant printed fabrics too! The jacket can be either casual or formal, and worn as tailoring or outerwear. An anorak and a bomber jacket are considered to be a type of casual outerwear jackets, while the tuxedo and blazer are tailored jackets.
Originally known as a type of cotton fabric woven in Nîmes in France, it became a more recognised term as a garment made from denim by Levi Strauss in the 1800s. Jeans in the 2020s come in a range of styles, fabrics and cuts as well as different colours when created in denim! I have a great article on how I made the DIY jeans in the photo below! The sewn waistband on my funky deconstructed Derek Lam style jeans! In the 19th century, a jumper was a short coat-like garment worn by men. It is currently the terms used in the UK when referring to a sweater. Learn more about jumpers with this great guide on the types of sweaters here!
The jumpsuit is a popular garment in the 2020s – with sewing patterns popping up from indie pattern designers the world over! It’s a full body piece of clothing, traditionally with long sleeves and long legs, and also goes by the name of ‘flight suit’ or ‘boiler suit’. A black full length jumpsuit is a type of clothing worn by a women. Kilt Woven plaid or tartan fabric is used to make a kilt, which is worn like a skirt, hanging from the waist down. Traditional men’s kilts can be completely pleated or have the end sections of the fabric left unpleated, which overlap at the front of the body. Women’s kilts are less specific, with the style being influenced by seasonal trends. A traditional man's kilt made from blue and turquoise tartan fabric
Kimono The kimono is a type of robe from Japan which is often used as the basis for dressing gowns, but has frequently since the late 19th century been adopted by fashion designers as a dress trend. This orange and green floral printed kimono is a type of clothing Knickerbockers Despite being a very historical item of clothing, knickerbockers were made fashionable by fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent in the late 1960s. They’re loose breeches – like trousers! – but are gathered just below the knee. Leggings Worn on the legs, leggings have been popular casual clothing for many years but have their historical roots as a cold weather underlayer from the Middle Ages! Modern day leggings are made from an elasticated fabric – usually knit – and are worn very close to the body. They come in different lengths too, from full length – waist to ankle – to low rise capri length and more!
These mint green skintight leggings are a type of clothing Legwarmers I recall being forced to wear legwarmers as a school girl during the 80s in the UK! Back then they were cyclindrical, knitted by hand and worn on the legs, between our knees and ankles. They could be hidden under our school trousers or worn with mini skirts to make a fashion statement. Cream colored knitted legwarmers Leotard An item of clothing that I hated wearing when younger, the leotard covers the body from the crotch to the shoulders. It was first worn by Jules Léotard, a French trapezist, in the 19th century and since then has become popular with disco lovers and dancers. It’s now made from a variety of fabric types for both activewear and casual wear needs.
A black with gold sparkles leotard worn by a slender woman with long brown hair. Panties Panties are an underwear worn by women on the lower body parts. Also referred to as knickers in some countries, they can be made from knitted cotton fabrics, lace, mesh and more. They’re often trimmed with folder elastic or picot trim for a decorative finish as well as to finish the raw edge of the fabric. Coral pink lace panties worn by a slender white woman. Pants / Trousers Worn on the lower body to keep the legs warm and covered, pants (or trousers as they’re also known!) are an iteration of the early 19th century knickerbockers, and have been worn by women since the 1920s.
Back then the legs of trousers and pants were baggy in style, and it wasn’t until the 1970s that it became acceptable for women to wear pants to both casual and formal occasions. Front view of Eve wearing the finished women's cargo pants sewing pattern! Petticoat The petticoat is a type of underwear garment, worn under skirts and dresses as an extra layer for warmth. They’re not as commonly worn in the 2020s as they were when I was growing up in the 1980s – I recall my gran making petticoats for herself and her sisters whenever she bought a stash of silky fabrics. Playsuits Not disimilar to a jumpsuit, a playsuit is shorter in length on the legs. Made from a variety of fabrics and cut in as many styles, a playsuit is a great contemporary piece of clothing – if you can handle taking the entire thing off to pop to the toilet!
Playsuits are often also called rompers when referring to those designed for women! A summery yellow daisy playsuit worn by a young white woman is a clothing type Poncho Ponchos originate from South America, and look a lot like big blankets with just a simple opening through which we place our head. My other half has several which he uses to keep warm in the winter months. They can be solid in color, or created with different designs when woven. Pyjamas Pyjamas are worn by women, men and children as nightwear, but are increasingly made popular as evening wear by current fashion designers. This ‘nightwear’ as ‘evening wear’ trend started a century ago back in the 1920s. Asian woman laying on a bed with a blissed expression wearing navy blue and white polka dot pyjamas
Sarong The sarong is a traditional piece of clothing worn by the women of Bali and Tahiti but has been a popular summer garment since the 1940s! It is a long piece of fabric which can be worn either wrapped around the lower part of the body and tied at the waist to look a little like a skirt, of wrapped around the upper body and tied at the neck so that it acts a little like a dress. Shawl Another item of clothing made from a square piece of cloth, the shawl acts as a cover up. The fabric can be lightweight for evening wear shawls or cut from wool and used to keep warm. A longer version of a shawl is called a stole! Whether worn indoors or out, shawls are a handy piece to have to throw over your shoulders. Shirt A shirt is a piece of clothing worn on the upper body. It traditionally has a front placket at the centre front with a button opening, so that the shirt can be put on and buttoned up.
Shirts are worn as casual wear and evening wear by both men and women. I have a great guide to the many different types of shirts! Young woman sat in window wearing a pink sleeveless shirt beneath a cream colored cardigan. Shorts Women have worn shorts – a casual garment – since the 1920s, though they are often vamped up by fashion designers and worn as evening wear when out for a night out. Shorts are also popular as a simple summer staple with a vest top, worn with a shirt tucked into the waist or as part of a two piece pyjama set. Shorts are easy to make, and the legs can be super short hot-pant style to knee length. The pair below in the photo are the men’s drawstring shorts pattern that I made for my partner. David wear the Trigg Shorts - a men's drawstring shorts pattern! Skirt
A skirt is another type of clothes worn on the lower body. They can be made form any fabric that you can think of, come in long, midi, mini and micro lengths, as well as many different styles. Learn more about the different types of skirts and styles here! DIY wrap skirt with ties, with a bias binding finish! Skort Part skirt and part shorts, the skort is a type of clothing that looks like a skirt from the front – due to an overlapping panel of fabric – but looks like shorts from the back. A skirt is technically a pair of shorts – it has bifurcated leg pieces – but with the additional front panel, it looks like a skirt – hence ‘skort’. I’ve never worn one, but I believe they were made popular by tennis players!
Socks Of course no guide on the different types of clothes would be complete with our socks. Whether shop bought or hand knitted, socks are what keep our feet toasty warm in those winter months and sticky and sweaty throughout the summer. Made from knitted fabrics, socks can be barely-there sports socks which slip of the ankle when you’re running around, ankle length to keep the chill away on cooler evenings or even full on knee high (or thigh high!) for full on leg warmth! Hand knitted socks are types of clothes too! Sweater Sweaters are garments worn on the upper body by women, men and children. They are made from knitted fabrics, and also go by the name of ‘jumper’ in some parts of the world.
Learn more about sweaters with this guide to different sweater types! Red headed woman wearing a green fringed sweater with a blue background behind her. Swimsuit Whether a classic one piece or cut into two pieces to form a bikini or tankini, a swimsuit is worn when in or near water. It is made from a knitted fabric with two way stretch and negative ease so that it clings to the body when wet. Originally known as a bathing suit back in the late 1800s, it was always back then a two piece suit made of wool making it useless for swimming in. It wasn’t until the 1920s that swimsuits with elastic were created – by Jantzen – but these were still not suitable for swimming. Who doesn’t feel the need to buy new clothes from time to time? Let’s be honest, shopping is a great source of happiness for many of us. Fashion is an opportunity to have fun, and draping yourself in pieces that allow you to express yourself while looking great is a surefire way to feel immediately more confident. To make your next shopping trip a success, we’ve outlined some tips and tricks that will help guide you as you re-vamp your wardrobe for the season.
What to consider when buying new clothes? Clothes can reflect your personality, profession, preferences and/or mood. For example, light colours typically express a sense joy and exuberance, while dark colours convey a sense of seriousness. Styles with colours and patterns can help you express your creativity, while minimalistic neutrals are great for creating looks that are sophisticated and office-ready. Another important thing to keep in mind is the occassions for which you are purchasing your clothes. If you spend a lot of your free time partaking in outdoor activities, then you probably want to invest in pieces that are practical and comfortable. If parties and special dinners are your thing, it’d be worthwhile to invest in clothes that are more elegant and polished. Which clothes suit which figure? It goes without saying that every woman wants to look and feel good in her clothes, which is why it’s so important to buy pieces that suit your figure! When you pick the right fit, the pieces will emphasize your shape in all the right places. That being said, it’s important to first become familiar with your figure type: The hourglass (also called the X-type):
Characterized by a narrow waist, large bust and wide hips. If you have an hourglass figure, we recommend choosing pieces that emphasize your slim waist. Figure-hugging blouses and shirts, as well as fitted jackets and blazers, look lovely when combined with slim fit and mid-rise trousers. Slim fitting dresses or styles with waist belts also look great. The triangle (pear type, A type): Characterized by wide hips and a more narrow upper body in comparison. If you have a triangle-shaped figure, round-cut shirts, balloon sleeve tops and empire waist dresses are a must. Slim fitting trousers and skirts look especially great in darker shades. The inverted triangle (apple type, V type): Characterized by shoulders that are wider than your hips and legs that are slim and long.
If you have an inverted triangle body shape, V-neck tops are the way to go. You can also show off your figure beautifully with dresses and blouses with an empire waist. When buying trousers and skirts, we recommend opting for lighter colours. Round body shape (also called O-type): Characterized by narrow shoulders and legs with a larger bust, round mid-section and wider hips. Wide-cut tops that are airy and comfortable look especially flattering on those with a round figure. Tunics and blouses are wardrobe must-haves, and the longer the cut, the better, as this gives the illusion of a lengthened silhouette. We also recommend wearing trousers and skirts in darker shades. Rectangular body shape (H-type, banana type): Characterized by a small bust and shoulders with hips about the same width. Women with a rectangular figure look lovely in straight cut clothes. Pro tip: wearing patterns like pinstripes are great for creating the appearance of a lengthened silhouette.
What to look for when buying patterned clothing? At Olsen, we carry a number of on-trend styles in different colours and patterns. This allows for greater variety in your wardrobe and provides endless opportunities to express your mood through your outfits. But how will you know which colours and patterns go best together? We recommend pairing bold, expressive pieces with ones that are more minimalistic and simple. This allows the statement piece to really pop. For example, a floral print blouses pairs beautifully with black or white jeans. That said, you can absolutely combine bold colours and patterns together, but we recommend keeping the patterns similar and not combining more than two. Checks and stripes, for example, are a lovely combination, whereas checks and florals do not match as well. The general rule is that less is more! Matching accessories such as a scarf, handbag, shoes and striking jewlery can also add the perfect finishing touch to any look.
Casual Pro ClubParties are often preceded by fun questions, like what to give? Who to bring (if you have a plus one, that is)? When to arrive? And, crucially, what to wear? Most of us don’t just happen to have a floor-length silk gown or a tailcoat hanging around in our closet, waiting for the day our Met Gala invite finally arrives. But would that even be the right kind of thing to wear to such an event? We’ve got answers, and options, for every possible occasion on your social calendar.
Social obligations are not prerequisites for feeling great about your appearance. You can dress up simply because looking good makes you happy. But more often than not, the situations where we put a lot of care into our outfits are big events with explicit dress codes. The best-case scenario is that we’re dressing for both reasons: because it boosts our self-esteem and because we want to look situationally appropriate. Still, knowing what is appropriate can be a head-scratcher. The dress code might be implied, and even when it’s made explicit, the jargon can be difficult to decode. Which is why we spelled it out for you here. Casual: You do not need to dress up. Sneakers, jeans and T-shirts are all acceptable, and even encouraged.
Dressy casual: You should dress up, but only a little. It’s often just a matter of wearing nicer shoes, a snazzier top or pants that aren’t blue jeans (though denim is fine with the right kind of shirt -- more on that later). Business attire: You should dress as someone might for a client-facing job. Of course, there is plenty of variation within this category. It might mean a suit, a knee-length skirt, or a blazer and khaki bottoms. But it definitely means no jeans and no sneakers. Cocktail: You should dress much nicer than you do every day. Try separates in satin, silk or velvet. Suits. When in doubt, wear black. Black tie: You should wear a very elegant dress – say, a long gown or a cocktail dress that’s on the fancier side – or a tuxedo. White tie: You should look very fancy. Tailcoats, floor-length gowns and, potentially, white gloves are all on the table. Now let’s get specific.
Jeans and a T-shirt: When the most casual of outfits is perfectly acceptable, you might as well go with it. Khakis, modest shorts, day dresses and skirts Anything cotton or linen: In the summertime especially, it’s more pleasant to wear breathable fabrics, and these can easily be dressed up or down. Basically, you want to dress like any of the characters on your favorite sitcom routinely do: in comfortable clothing that is neither ostentatious nor schlubby. Anything clearly ripped or stained: It’s a matter of self-respect more than anything, but it also shows respect for your host and fellow guests when you dress in clean clothes. Intentional distressing on denim is fine.
Uncomfortable clothing: This is always a don’t, but there’s no reason to dress outside your comfort zone when the dress code is casual. The idea is to come as you are. Dress: A shirt dress or a sweater dress can appear refined and relaxed at once. Blouse or button-down shirt: You can’t go wrong with a crisp, classic top. Add a blazer to dress the look up a notch or two. Dark denim: Unfaded indigo or black jeans can make an outfit feel instantly more evening-appropriate. “Going-out top”: These shirts – often constructed from synthetic materials and sometimes bought cheaply from fast-fashion stores – are meant to make a casual look a little more club-ready. Ultimately, a going-out top is anything that makes you feel good.
Jumpsuit: It’s a stylish one-piece alternative to the dress that can be scaled for elegance. Boiler suits in particular are very trendy this year. Don'ts Sneakers: unless they are very clean and not the type you would wear to the gym Shorts: just don't. Where Dressy Casual is Appropriate A first date Most nights out with friends (unless the dress code is explicit). Related Guide How to Take Care of Your Clothes Buying clothes built to last is one thing — but there's a lot you can do to make them endure.
Dos If business casual: khakis or dark dress pants; a button-down shirt; sport coat or blazer; tie optional. If business formal: dark suit, dress shirt and dress shoes; silk tie; sheath dress; pencil skirt. Think Kerry Washington on “Scandal,” or any of the esteemed actors on USA Network’s “Suits.” Clothing that distracts. Our fashion critic Vanessa Friedman says that “clothes should not be the focus of attention,” which means “they should not be what colleagues or friends remember after a meeting.” Anything that makes you wonder, “Is this a bad idea?” If you’re thinking it before you leave the house, your thoughts will only get louder throughout the day.
Dos If business casual: khakis or dark dress pants; a button-down shirt; sport coat or blazer; tie optional. If business formal: dark suit, dress shirt and dress shoes; silk tie; sheath dress; pencil skirt. Think Kerry Washington on “Scandal,” or any of the esteemed actors on USA Network’s “Suits.” Clothing that distracts. Our fashion critic Vanessa Friedman says that “clothes should not be the focus of attention,” which means “they should not be what colleagues or friends remember after a meeting.” Anything that makes you wonder, “Is this a bad idea?” If you’re thinking it before you leave the house, your thoughts will only get louder throughout the day.
Dos Dress: You’ll want to wear a dress that is made of a refined fabric (like silk, lace or taffeta) and cuts around the knee. It should be much more formal than a sundress, but less formal than a ballgown. Most department stores and online retailers have sections devoted to party dresses, and any of those should do. Suit: Most people wear dark suits to occasions with this dress code, but if the event is a daytime party, a light suit (beige, gray) is totally fine. Dressy separates: If you wear a very snazzy top (think sequins or silk), you can probably get away with dress pants (say, velvet) or a skirt on the bottom.
Jumpsuit: Everyone wears dresses. Why not do wear something that makes a statement? Dress shoes, pumps When in doubt, wear black. When Cocktail/Semi Formal is Appropriate Some weddings Evening fundraisers Proms and other formal school events Dressing up, even once in a while, can easily become expensive. Anyone who is familiar with the marathon of weddings that begins in one’s 20s and never really ends knows that dressing up can feel like an expensive chore. You can’t really help it that you’re popular or that your friends are in love, but preparing for these celebrations and gatherings doesn’t have to break the bank.
Shop smart: Knowing where to buy occasion wear is half the battle, and not everyone’s recommendations will fit your idea of what’s affordable. The easiest and least expensive option is to browse what online retailers like Lulus and Asos have to offer. There are also fairly affordable sustainable brands like Reformation whose garments may incur a smaller carbon footprint. Second-hand and consignment stores can also have gems from high-quality labels. If you can’t find any such stores locally, the RealReal and thredUP resell clothes from luxury and midpriced brands.
Rewear your look: It can be costly to buy a new outfit for every occasion on your social calendar. If you purchase pieces that are basic enough (the simple black cocktail dress, for example) you can wear them over and over again. Tiffany Haddish has done it on the red carpet, and we all stand to learn from her eco- and budget-friendly example
Speaking of which, clothing – especially dressy clothing – should not simply be worn. It often requires alterations or D.I.Y. hacks to look as good as possible. And, crucially, garments should be cared for, especially when they are costly or beloved. Here are some things to consider:
Alterations: If you’ve purchased a piece that doesn’t fit quite like a glove, or you have a well-worn outfit that’s due for some fixes, you might want to visit a tailor or a dry cleaner who performs alterations ahead of your event. Before you just walk into the nearest shop, it’s worth asking friends for recommendations: Once the fabric is cut, it can’t really be restored. Wherever you go, make sure you drop off the garment at least three weeks before you’ll need to wear it.
Shapewear: Let’s start by saying that everyone’s body is wonderful and nothing must be done to make it look good in a dress. But, if you would like your clothes to lay smooth and flat on your person, there are plenty of things you can buy. The folks at Spanx and Commando produce seamless undergarments that are virtually undetectable underneath even the slinkiest dresses.
Tape: If after the alterations and shapewear, something about your outfit still feels precarious, there’s always good old tape. Kim Kardashian proudly uses it to secure her dresses and decolletage, and she says gaffer tape works best. There’s also fashion tape and toupee tape, which are really just two types of double-sided tape with fancy names.
Ironing and steaming: Creases can put a wrinkle in anyone’s plans to look great, so before you go out, consider ironing or steaming your outfit and putting it on a hanger so that it retains its polished appearance. Our friends at Wirecutter recommend Maytag's M400 iron for those who are in the market. Handheld steamers are a great investment, too, as they travel well and work like a charm.
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