178 Ways to Describe Women’s Clothing

Fashion… or not

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.

Skirt

Flared skirt
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:

Photo credit: Yuelcalnabi

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

This slideshow requires JavaScript.

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-weekly 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.