There are so many terms for women’s clothing, they boggle the mind–dolmen sleeves, pencil skirt, choker, colorblock. The best conjure up colorful images that share with a few words a glorious picture that sticks in your mind as the character walks through the scene.
Unfortunately, they don’t always come to mind as you’re writing. Not to worry. I collected them for myself and will share them with you. Please add any others you use in your writing. There’s no way my list can be exhaustive when we’re discussing women’s outfits.
Flared skirt
Photo credit: Länsmuseet Gävleborg
Pleated
Skirts:
Floral print
A-line
Knee-length
Jeans skirt,
mini
pencil skirt
gored skirt
tulip skirt
wrap skirt
Blouses:
peasant blouse
baby doll
Maxi
Printed flounce Georgette
Tiered skirt
Crinkle skirt
pin tucked
fitted shirt
oxford shirt
camp shirt
split neck tunic
logo t
camisole
tank top
beaded tank
kimono
rib-knit turtleneck
halter top
bodysuit
flutter sleeve tunic
silk blouson top
ruffled silk blouse
oversized silk blouse
silk peasant top
off-the-shoulder top
tuxedo blouse
off-the-shoulder top
v-neck shell
safari vest
appliqué
dolmen sleeves
three-quarter sleeves
cap sleeve
Henley sleeves
double-breasted
balloon-sleeves
shell
pullover
Dresses:
Cocktail dress
Mini dress
Jacquard sheath
Sheath dress
Essential little black dress
Empire waist silk dress
Shirtdress
Sweater dress
Bias-cut dress
Sequined mini
Micro mini
Halter dress
Fabric:
Plaid
Tweed
Color block
Ponte knit
Box pleat
Chiffon
Jersey
Crepe
Linen
Silk
Tweed
Velour
leather
suede
Polka dot
Pintuck
embroidered
Floral
Appearance:
Wrap
empire waist
sharktail hem
fringed
french cuff
bib front
layered look
colorblock
beaded
drop waist
split neck
ribbed
Shirred
Shirred waist
button tab
chain trim
paisley
smocked
French-ribbed
Pants:
Leggings
Skinny jeans
Tight-legged jeans
Wide-leg
Straight-leg
High-waisted pants
Color-washed jeans
Boot cut jeans
Leather pants
Cropped pants
Stretch pants
banded bottom
cuffed legs
Capris
Cuffed pants
Neckline:
Braided scoopneck
Ruched sleeve
flutter sleeve
cowlneck
v-neck
crew neck
Mock turtle neck
Wing collar
Shawl collar
Notch collar
ruffled
draped
t-back
smocked boatneck
Jewelry:
Hoop earrings
Studs
Clip
Crop earrings
Diamond studs
Cameo necklace
Bangle
Pendant necklace
Choker
Pearl necklace
Tennis bracelet
charm bracelet
cuff bracelet
toggle bracelet
link bracelet
Shoes:
sling-back open toed shoes
pumps
flats
Uggs
Ballet flats
Thong sandals
Windslow sandals
Sequin pumps
Platforms sandals
Platform pumps
Ankle boots
Western boots
Peep-toe pumps
Wedge sandals
Mules
Clogs
Oxfords
Loafers
Skimmers
Jelly sandals
Mary Jane’s
Moccasins
Bow flats
Hepburn flats
Dressy sandals
Persia sandals
Evening sandals
t-strap sandals
Garbo sandals
slide sandals
Birkenstocks
Sweaters:
bell-sleeve jacket
open front cardigan
shaker sweater,
cable knit sweater
cardigan
light-weight cardigan
bolero cardigan
Purses:
patchwork tote
patent bag
satchel bag
hobo bag
clutch
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, a columnist for Examiner.com and TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, Cisco guest blog,Technology in Education featured blogger, IMS tech expert, and a bi-monthly contributor to Today’s Author. In her free time, she is the editor of a K-8 technology curriculum, K-8 keyboard curriculum, K-8 Digital Citizenship curriculum, and creator of technology training books for how to integrate technology in education. Currently, she’s editing a thriller that should be out to publishers next summer. Contact Jacqui at her writing office or her tech lab, Ask a Tech Teacher.
This is another great collection. Thank you for taking the time to assemble this for us!
By: cherilaser on April 15, 2010
at 1:57 pm
I’m doing one for men, but it’s a lot harder. We are so much more colorful!
By: worddreams on April 15, 2010
at 11:59 pm
More colorful and full of variety. My main character in my second novel is a man, and making him come to life was a challenge. Of course, the women I created around him helped.
By: cherilaser on April 16, 2010
at 12:57 am
Fantastic collection. Fantastic. Thank you!
By: s0beurself on April 25, 2010
at 1:10 am
You are too kind. Now I have to tackle the male version. Any ideas?
By: worddreams on April 25, 2010
at 2:53 am
This is an extensive list. I never ever thought this thing can be described so extensively
By: women's shirts on August 12, 2010
at 3:28 am
Haha. I didn’t either until I became a writer!
By: worddreams on August 12, 2010
at 8:06 am
Thank you so much!!!!
I was desperate for a list like this one! Thank you 
By: Kate on April 15, 2011
at 8:05 pm
I’m glad you like it. So many names for our different clothing.
By: Jacqui Murray on April 16, 2011
at 8:03 am
Thank you so much for this! I’m not a fashion-obsessed person and I don’t know much about what or how to call what we wear. (As long as I can wear it, I wear it… so why bother asking what it’s called?) But unfortunately, I do need to know what they’re called for the stories I write. Haha!
By: daysofbeingme on April 24, 2011
at 5:27 pm
Haha. That’s why I created it–I could never remember all those chic names so I made a list. Enjoy!
By: Jacqui Murray on April 24, 2011
at 6:20 pm
Maybe I missed it, I just kinda scanned over, but what are those shirts that show your stomach? Isn’t it like ‘midriff top’ or something?
By: Pepsi on June 28, 2011
at 1:22 am
Yes, though there might be a colloquial term. Let’s see if someone comes up with it.
By: Jacqui Murray on June 28, 2011
at 11:32 am
ALSO; CROPPED MIDRIFF, OR WHEN STRAPLESS, SLEEVELESS, FORM-FITTING (USUALLY ELASTICIZED) IT’S A “HALTER TOP” aka “TUBE TOP”
Ahhh; I do miss the ’70′s…
By: Jeffrey on February 13, 2013
at 8:23 pm
This is so great! I always have such trouble with clothing descriptions and with your advice i can at the very least find some pictures of the clothes and have a more clear vision myself. so thanks.
By: gratefulwriter on September 23, 2011
at 1:48 pm
I started this collection for that very reason. When I finally had the right words for looks, I felt so much better about my writing. Glad you like it.
By: Jacqui Murray on September 23, 2011
at 6:52 pm
[...] 178 Ways to Describe Women’s Clothing [...]
By: What’s Trending on WordDreams « Jacqui Murray's WordDreams… on December 14, 2011
at 1:35 am
[...] 178 Ways to Describe Women’s Clothing–I learned a lot writing this post, so I’m not surprised readers were curious [...]
By: 10 Hits and Misses for 2011 « Jacqui Murray's WordDreams… on January 6, 2012
at 1:07 am
I had great hopes when I saw your descriptions of women’s clothing. i bought a light weight sweater that my husband of 41 years has remarked about at least three times. When he describes me as “stunning” at this point in our marriage, I would love to extract that same response with other tops, I cannot find a description of this type of women’s wear. I will descrbe it and see if you or anyone has a name for it,. Then I will be able to shop for it on the internet. The sweater is loose fitting, comes over one shoulder, crosses the chest and is attached to the wide waistband which sits rather low on my hips.. Then the other shoulder piece does the same in the opposit direction. So the front of the sweater forms a v neck by crisscrossing the chest and fits loosely around the ribs. Can you help? I still like it when my husband gives me one of those emphatic compliments.
By: Ginger on March 17, 2012
at 4:53 am
It sounds beautiful. I wish there was a way to add an image to comments. Let’s see if anyone has ideas.I’m going to do a bit of research.
By: Jacqui Murray on March 17, 2012
at 7:02 am
Just a thought…but what about maxi dress, maxi skirt, Buffalo plaid? Maybe these could be added to your list. It’s great though! I needed it to help write a script for a fashion show my church is hosting.
By: holly on May 9, 2012
at 9:40 pm
Great additions. Perfect for the down-to-earth heroine.
By: Jacqui Murray on May 10, 2012
at 6:28 pm
I think I’ll never be able to comprehend the complexities of women. There are so many skirts, blouses, dresses, sweaters, etc. and all the combinations. The man’s point of view is much more simple. If clothes are important to her, let her tell him what she is wearing. All the color combinations really don’t make him desire her more or less. The important question is not about how she’s dressed but if.
By: danroberson on August 9, 2012
at 12:55 pm
Haha. Which is why this list will help. When you’re writing, if your audience is female, a nod toward these will help explain your character’s appearance. Unless you’re always in a male POV.
By: Jacqui Murray on August 11, 2012
at 8:26 am
Lyrical, Jacqui!
Playsuits, crop tops, winkle-pickers (shoes) & bikinis for your delectation. Don’t even start me on haircuts (bob, crimp, beehive, shingle, crop, pixie, shag…..).
Love your curation sensibility.
Sam
By: Sam Boswell on October 9, 2012
at 7:28 pm
Ooh, a new post–about hairstyles. Those are always so hard to describe in a novel. And you just rattled a whole list off!
By: Jacqui Murray on October 9, 2012
at 7:55 pm
A return visit for – back to the 70s drumroll moment – boob tube. Best wishes for the hairstyle list (which should also include page boy, mohawk & mullet!).
Sam
By: Sam Boswell on October 9, 2012
at 10:18 pm
[...] Murray’s mindboggling list of ladies’ garments on her WordDreams collection to which I began composing a companion volume of ladies’ [...]
By: be here now – action research #4 « tolerance for ambiguity on October 9, 2012
at 11:34 pm
[...] 178 Ways to Describe Women’s Clothing–describing the varieties in women’s clothing is challenging. This post helps you understand it and share it in your novel. [...]
By: 10 Hits and Misses for 2012 « Jacqui Murray's WordDreams… on January 15, 2013
at 12:16 am
Great start. Will you be listing definitions and possibly illustrations or photos?
By: Jeffrey on February 12, 2013
at 10:38 am
Probably not. Too much work! My genre is thrillers, which tangentially mention clothing, but my story centers around geeks and AI’s and attacks on the American Way.
By: Jacqui Murray on February 12, 2013
at 3:15 pm
I THINK I MENTIONED IN A POST YESTERDAY, THE NEED TO ADD ONE LINE DEFINITION FOR EACH ENTRY. AND A PHOTO, IF POSSIBLE
TO THAT, I’LL ALSO SUGGEST ALPHABETIZING THE LIST.
ON THESE TOPICS I WONDERED WHY (FOR NECKLINES) YOU HAVE A GRAPHIC WITH NUMERIC REFERENCES FOR EACH STYLE SHOWN, BUT THERE IS NO CORRELATING DESCRIPTOR?
JUST ONE MORE POSSIBLE IMPROVEMENT—PERHAPS A SEPARATE SECTION, OR SUB-CATEGORY WITHIN EACH PRIMARY GROUP – A LIST OF CLASSIC/FAMOUS & VINTAGE VARIATIONS THE ERA ASSOCIATED WITH. THIS WOULD BE A BIG PLUS ON YOUR “GUYS” VERSION, SHOWING VARIOUS LAPEL STYLES/WIDTHS . THIS WOULD GO FOR NECK WARE TOO.
By: Jeffrey on February 13, 2013
at 8:34 pm
[...] 178 Ways to Describe Women’s Clothing [...]
By: What’s Trending on WordDreams | Jacqui Murray's WordDreams... on April 24, 2013
at 12:51 am