Fashion terminology can make a straightforward description sound like a secret code. A collection might be labelled A/W, a dress described as bias-cut, and a supplier might ask for a CAD, a BOM and an MOQ before discussing production.
This glossary explains the fashion terms and abbreviations you are most likely to encounter when reading about clothes, shopping or beginning a fashion design project. Start with the quick reference table, then use the sections below for examples and the distinctions that matter.
Common fashion abbreviations at a glance
| Abbreviation | Meaning | Where you will see it |
|---|---|---|
| A/W or AW | Autumn/winter | Seasonal collections and buying appointments. |
| F/W or FW | Fall/winter | The American wording for autumn/winter. |
| S/S or SS | Spring/summer | Collection names; check context because SS can also mean short sleeve. |
| RTW | Ready-to-wear | Clothes offered in a planned range of sizes. |
| OOTD | Outfit of the day | Social posts showing what someone is wearing. |
| CAD | Computer-aided design | Digital design work, including garment drawings. |
| BOM | Bill of materials | The list of components needed to make a product. |
| POM | Point of measurement | A defined measurement on a garment. |
| MOQ | Minimum order quantity | The smallest order a supplier agrees to accept. |
| GSM | Grams per square metre | Fabric weight; it is not a quality score. |
| CMT | Cut, make and trim | A manufacturing arrangement whose precise scope needs agreeing. |
| PP sample | Pre-production sample | A sample reviewed before bulk manufacture proceeds. |
What do A/W, F/W and S/S mean in fashion?
A/W means autumn/winter; F/W means fall/winter. They describe the same broad seasonal grouping, with “fall” more common in American English. S/S means spring/summer when it appears beside a collection or a fashion-week season.
The year belongs to the collection’s named season, so an S/S 2027 collection can be presented during 2026. A runway date and the date clothes arrive in shops are different things. The Fédération de la Haute Couture et de la Mode uses both spring/summer and fall/winter terminology in its fashion-week programmes.
Context matters. On a stock list, “SS cotton tee” might mean a short-sleeved T-shirt, while “SS27 collection” means spring/summer 2027. If an abbreviation affects an order, write out the full term rather than relying on a guess.
Resort or cruise usually describes an additional collection between the main seasonal ranges. Pre-fall is another intermediate collection. Neither term guarantees that every garment is holiday clothing or appropriate for a particular temperature.
Ready-to-wear, couture and other collection terms
Ready-to-wear (RTW), also called prêt-à-porter, is clothing made in a range of sizes rather than individually created for each customer. It includes both affordable and luxury collections. An expensive ready-to-wear dress is still ready-to-wear.
Made-to-measure usually starts with an existing pattern that is adapted to a customer’s measurements. Bespoke generally involves more individual development, but the service varies: ask what pattern work, fittings and alterations are included.
Haute couture has a specific recognised status in France. It is not simply another name for any handmade or expensive outfit; the FHCM explains the designation and its history. “Couture” is also used more loosely in everyday fashion writing, so the two expressions should not automatically be treated as interchangeable.
A capsule collection is a small, edited group of pieces linked by a clear idea. A capsule wardrobe is a person’s selection of clothes intended to work together. You do not need a prescribed number of items: usefulness depends on your life, climate and washing routine. Our guide to building a more considered wardrobe explores that approach.
A lookbook shows a collection through styled images. A line sheet is a more commercial document, typically helping buyers compare styles, colours and ordering information. A range plan maps the products within a collection, such as how many tops, trousers and outerwear styles it contains.
Fashion terms that describe shape and fit
Silhouette is the overall outline of an outfit or garment. An A-line skirt widens towards the hem; a column dress has a straighter outline. Cut concerns how the fabric pieces are shaped and assembled to produce that result.
Fit describes the garment’s relationship to the body. Ease is the difference between the garment’s dimensions and the relevant body measurements. A loose woven shirt normally has positive ease; some stretch garments use negative ease. The fabric and intended movement affect what works.
Drape describes how fabric hangs and falls. Two skirts made from the same pattern can look quite different in crisp cotton and fluid viscose. Fabric weight alone cannot tell you how either will behave.
Bias-cut means cutting fabric pieces diagonally to the grain, commonly at about 45 degrees in woven cloth, to influence stretch and drape. It is a construction choice, not a synonym for a diagonal print.
Oversized usually describes deliberately generous proportions. Buying an ordinary garment several sizes larger can change the shoulders, neckline and sleeve length in ways an intentionally oversized pattern would handle differently.
Fabric and construction vocabulary
Fibre is the material used to make yarn or fabric: cotton, wool and polyester are examples. Fabric construction describes how the material is formed. Woven cloth interlaces yarns; knitted fabric is formed from loops. “Cotton” and “jersey” therefore describe different aspects of a fabric: cotton jersey can be both.
A seam joins pieces together. A hem finishes an edge, such as the bottom of a skirt. A dart takes in a shaped section of fabric to help it fit a curve. Topstitching is stitching visible on the outside, used for appearance, reinforcement or both.
Lining is an inner layer, often used for comfort, opacity or a cleaner finish. Interfacing supports particular areas such as collars or button plackets. Trims covers components beyond the main fabric, such as zips, buttons and labels.
Colourway means a colour version of a design. A striped jumper offered in navy/cream and green/pink has two colourways, even though each contains two colours.
Design and manufacturing terms explained
A technical flat is a clear drawing of a garment laid out to show its design and construction. A tech pack brings drawings together with material, measurement and production information. A CAD drawing can be part of the pack; the terms do not mean the same thing.
BOM identifies the materials and components. POM identifies exactly where and how a dimension is measured. Grading develops the pattern or measurements across a size range. Tolerance states the permitted variation from a specified measurement; it should be agreed for each relevant dimension.
MOQ needs a follow-up question. Does a minimum of 100 apply to the whole order, each style, each colour or a particular fabric? Those are very different commitments. Lead time also needs a starting point: it might run from an approved sample, a deposit or the arrival of fabric.
These distinctions become especially useful when starting a clothing line. Write down the full meaning beside unfamiliar shorthand and confirm it with the person using it. A clear sentence is more valuable than an impressive-looking abbreviation.
