Photo by Alison Conklin
If you have struggled through a clothing catalog description wondering what half of the terms meant; this is the guide for you. Here are some of the top terms when it comes to looking good in menswear, defined by Atlas of Style expert, Rodolphe Tankpinou.
Besom Pocket:
An interior pocket with edging or stitching around the slot opening. It is cut into the garment rather than be sewn on.
Bespoke:
Made to fit a particular person. Also means a producer of clothes that are to fit a particular person.
Blazer:
Type of jacket worn over a shirt, but which is not part of a suit despite it looks like one.
Button-down collars:
Collars having the end fastened to the shirt with buttons.
Car coat:
Overcoat/outerwear with a length extending to about the middle of the thighs, and originally designed to be worn while driving a car.
Double-breasted:
Fastened by lapping one edge of the front garment well over the other, and often having a double row of buttons with a single row of buttonholes.
Keyhole buttonhole:
A stitched buttonhole in the shape of a keyhole with a larger rounded opening at one end to accommodate the shank of the button, or the stitching attaching the button to the garment.
Lapel:
The part on each side of a coat or jacket immediately below the collar which is folded back on either side of the front opening.
Mock neck:
High collar on a knit shirt or sweater that goes all the way around the neck, and that is not folded down.
Patch pocket:
Pocket made of a separate piece of cloth sewn into the outside of a garment.
Pique:
A knitting method that creates a fine texture surface that appears similar to a bird’s net or a waffle weave.
Piping:
Small roll of fabric sewn onto hems, sleeves, and the edge of collars. It is usually seen on military uniforms in gold, red, white or blue.
Placket:
An opening or slit in a garment, covering fastenings or giving access to pocket, or the flap of fabric under such an opening.
Pleats:
Double or multiple fold in a garment held by stitching the top or side.
Shawl collar:
Rounded turned-down collar without lapel notches that extends down the front of a garment. It usually extends downward across the chest, and meets or laps at or near the waist.
Shirt jacket:
Jacket designed in the style of a shirt with a button-front closure, a shirt collar and often a two button adjustable cuff.
Single breasted:
Closing with a narrow overlap and showing only one row of buttons at the front when fastened.
Sport coat:
Man’s jacket resembling a suit jacket, but worn on informal occasions.
Suit jacket:
A suit is a set of garment made from the same cloth. The suit jacket with the pants make that set.
Wingtip:
Perforated shoe part that covers the toe and extends backward along the side of the shoe from a point at the center. It also stands for a shoe having such a part.
Yoke:
Piece of garment closely fitted either around the neck and shoulder, or at the hip, and from which an unfitted part of the garment is hung.
