Men's Fashion Glossary: Essential Suiting & Style Terms

Men's fashion glossary and suiting style guide by Suits Outlets

Use this men’s fashion glossary as a broad reference for suiting, formalwear, casual clothing, footwear, hats, accessories, fit, and tailoring terminology. It also includes terms closely related to the products and styles available at Suits Outlets. For related styles, browse our men’s suits, tuxedos, walking suits, and men’s hats.

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A

Ankle socks: Socks cut to end at or just above the ankle, commonly worn with casual or athletic footwear.
Athletic pants: Comfort-focused pants designed for exercise, sport, or casual wear, often made with flexible or moisture-managing fabric.
Athletic socks: Socks designed to provide cushioning, moisture control, and comfort during physical activity.

B

Backpack: A bag carried on the back with two shoulder straps, used for everyday, travel, school, or work essentials.
Banded collar shirt: A shirt with a narrow stand-up collar and no fold-over points, also called a collarless or mandarin-style shirt.
Baseball cap: A soft cap with a rounded crown and projecting visor, usually finished with an adjustable or fitted back.
Beanie: A close-fitting knit cap typically worn for warmth in cool or cold weather.
Belt: A strip of leather, fabric, or another material worn around the waist to secure trousers or add a finishing accent.
Big and Tall Suit: A men’s suit proportioned and sized for larger or taller builds, often offering extended jacket, chest, waist, and length options. Browse big and tall suits.
Biker jacket: A short jacket inspired by motorcycle apparel, commonly made of leather and finished with zippers or metal hardware.
Blazer: A tailored jacket worn without matching trousers, generally dressier than a casual jacket but less formal than a full suit.
Boat shoes: Low-cut casual shoes traditionally designed with slip-resistant soles and moccasin-style construction.
Bow tie: A necktie tied or pre-formed into a symmetrical bow, commonly worn with tuxedos and other formal outfits.
Briefcase: A structured work bag designed to carry documents, a laptop, and business essentials.
Briefs: Close-fitting underwear with a supportive cut and no leg coverage.
Brogues: Shoes decorated with perforated detailing, often seen on oxfords, derbies, or wingtip styles.
Bucket hat: A soft hat with a downward-sloping brim that circles the crown.
Button-down shirt: A shirt whose collar points fasten to the shirt with buttons; the term is often used more broadly for shirts with a button front.
Button-up shirt: A shirt that closes with buttons down the front, including many dress and casual shirt styles.

C

Cable-knit sweater: A sweater featuring raised, rope-like knitted patterns for texture and warmth.
Camo pants: Pants featuring camouflage-inspired patterns, typically associated with casual, utility, or outdoor styling.
Cap-toe shoes: Dress shoes with an additional horizontal seam across the toe, creating a distinct toe-cap section.
Cardigan: A sweater that opens at the front and usually closes with buttons or a zipper.
Cashmere sweater: A soft, lightweight sweater made from cashmere fiber, valued for warmth and a refined hand feel.
Chinos: Versatile cotton-twill trousers that sit between jeans and dress pants in formality.
Classic fit: A traditional garment cut that generally provides more room through the chest, waist, seat, and leg.
Clogs: Slip-on footwear traditionally associated with a sturdy sole and an open or closed back.
Coat: An outer garment worn over other clothing for warmth, weather protection, or formal presentation.
Crew-neck sweater: A sweater with a round neckline that sits close to the base of the neck.
Cropped pants: Pants intentionally cut shorter than full length, usually ending above the ankle.
Cufflinks: Decorative fasteners used to close shirt cuffs designed with buttonholes on both sides, especially French cuffs.

D

D-ring belt: A belt that fastens by threading the strap through one or two D-shaped rings.
Denim jacket: A casual jacket made from denim, commonly finished with metal buttons and chest pockets.
Dinner Jacket: A formal evening jacket, often finished with satin or grosgrain lapels and worn with tuxedo trousers. It may be black, white, ivory, or another formalwear color. Browse tuxedos and dinner jackets.
Double-breasted suit: A suit with a jacket whose front panels overlap and close with two parallel columns of buttons. Browse double-breasted suits.
Dress shirt: A collared, button-front shirt designed to be worn with tailoring such as suits, tuxedos, or sport coats. Browse men’s dress shirts.
Dress shoes: Refined footwear intended for business, formal, or dressy outfits, including oxfords, derbies, loafers, and similar styles.
Driving gloves: Close-fitting gloves designed to improve grip and hand comfort while driving.
Driving shoes: Soft, flexible slip-on shoes typically featuring a grippy rubber sole or rubber nubs.
Duffle bag: A soft-sided travel or gym bag with handles and often a shoulder strap.

E

Earflap hat: A cold-weather hat with panels that extend over the ears for added warmth.
Espadrilles: Lightweight casual shoes traditionally made with canvas or fabric uppers and rope-wrapped soles.

F

Fedora: A structured hat with a soft brim and creased crown, available in felt, straw, and other materials. Browse men’s hats and fedoras.
Flat cap: A rounded cap with a low profile and a short stiff brim, also associated with ivy and newsboy-inspired styles.
Flannel shirt: A soft woven shirt, often brushed for warmth and frequently made in plaid or checked patterns.
Fleece jacket: A lightweight insulating jacket made from soft synthetic fleece.
Flip-flops: Open sandals with a flat sole and a Y-shaped strap that passes between the toes.
French cuffs: Double-layer shirt cuffs that fold back and are typically fastened with cufflinks.

G

Gingham shirt: A shirt made in a small, evenly spaced checked pattern created by crossing colored and white yarns.
Glen Plaid Suit: A suit featuring a classic checked pattern made from intersecting large and small checks, also called Prince of Wales check in some variations. Browse glen plaid suits.
Gloves: Hand coverings worn for warmth, protection, driving, sport, or dress.
Graphic T-shirt: A T-shirt printed with artwork, lettering, a logo, or another visible design.

H

Hat Size Reducer: A strip or insert placed inside a hat’s sweatband to make the fit slightly smaller and more secure. Hat size reducers are useful when a hat falls between sizes. Browse men’s hats.
Henley shirt: A collarless knit shirt with a round neckline and short button placket.
High-top sneakers: Sneakers with an upper that extends above the ankle for added coverage and a distinctive casual look.
Hooded sweatshirt: A sweatshirt with an attached hood, commonly called a hoodie.
Hoodie: A casual sweatshirt or knit top with an attached hood, available in pullover and zip-front styles.

J

Jeans: Durable casual trousers made primarily from denim.
Joggers: Casual pants with an elastic or drawstring waist and typically tapered or elasticized cuffs.

K

Khakis: Casual or business-casual trousers commonly made from cotton twill; the term can refer to the garment or its tan color.
Knee-high socks: Socks that extend to just below the knee, sometimes worn with formalwear, uniforms, boots, or athletic clothing.

L

Lapel: The folded front section of a tailored jacket or coat that connects to the collar. Common suit and tuxedo lapel styles include notch, peak, and shawl lapels.
Leather jacket: An outer jacket made from leather, ranging from clean dress styles to rugged biker-inspired designs.
Linen shirt: A breathable shirt made from linen fiber, especially popular in warm-weather dressing.
Loafers: Low-cut slip-on shoes without laces, available in casual and dress versions.
Long johns: Thermal base-layer underwear with long legs, worn beneath clothing in cold weather.
Long-sleeve polo: A polo shirt with a soft collar, short button placket, and long sleeves.

M

Mandarin collar: A short stand-up collar without fold-over points, often used on dress shirts and Nehru-style jackets.
Mandarin Collar Suit: A suit with a short stand-up collar instead of traditional lapels, creating a clean, formal silhouette closely related to Nehru styling. Browse Nehru and mandarin collar suits.
Messenger bag: A shoulder bag with a long strap and flap or zip closure, commonly used for work or everyday essentials.
Military jacket: A jacket influenced by military uniforms, often featuring structured lines, utility pockets, epaulets, or sturdy fabrics.
Mock turtleneck: A top with a short high collar that resembles a turtleneck but does not fold over.
Moccasins: Soft slip-on shoes based on traditional moccasin construction, often made from leather or suede.
Modern fit: A tailored cut that is generally trimmer than classic fit but roomier than a typical slim fit.

N

Nehru jacket: A tailored jacket with a close-fitting stand collar rather than traditional lapels.
Nehru Suit: A suit built around a stand-collar jacket rather than a standard notched or peaked lapel jacket. Browse Nehru suits.
Notch Lapel: A lapel style with a visible notch where the lapel meets the jacket collar. It is the most common lapel on business suits and many sport coats.

O

Overcoat: A long outer coat designed to be worn over a suit, sport coat, or other layers in cool weather.
Oxford shirt: A shirt made from Oxford cloth, often featuring a button-down collar and suitable for casual through business-casual wear.
Oxford shoes: Dress shoes identified by a closed-lacing system in which the eyelet tabs are stitched beneath the vamp.

P

Parka: A warm, weather-resistant coat or jacket with a hood, often designed for cold or wet conditions.
Pea coat: A short, double-breasted wool coat with broad lapels and maritime origins.
Peak Lapel: A formal lapel style whose outer edges point upward toward the shoulders. Peak lapels are common on double-breasted suits, tuxedos, and statement tailoring.
Penny loafers: Loafers with a decorative leather strap across the vamp featuring a small central slit.
Performance wear: Clothing engineered for movement, moisture management, stretch, breathability, or other activity-focused functions.
Pinstripe Suit: A suit patterned with narrow vertical stripes, traditionally associated with business and formal tailoring. Browse pinstripe suits.
Pique polo shirt: A polo made from textured pique knit fabric, recognizable by its slightly raised surface.
Pleated pants: Trousers with one or more folds of fabric at the front waist that provide shape and additional room.
Pocket square: A decorative square of fabric folded into the breast pocket of a suit jacket, blazer, or sport coat.
Polo shirt: A knit shirt with a soft collar and short button placket, commonly worn for polished casual dressing.
Puffer jacket: An insulated jacket divided into quilted sections filled with down or synthetic insulation.
Pullover sweater: A sweater designed to be pulled over the head rather than opened at the front.

Q

Quilted jacket: A jacket constructed with stitched padded sections that add warmth without excessive bulk.

R

Raincoat: An outer coat designed to resist or block rain.
Raw denim: Denim that has not been pre-washed after dyeing, allowing wear patterns and fading to develop over time.
Regular fit: A balanced, traditional cut designed to provide comfortable room without being intentionally oversized. Browse regular fit suits.
Running shoes: Athletic shoes designed with cushioning, support, and traction suitable for running.
Running shorts: Lightweight athletic shorts designed for freedom of movement and moisture management.

S

Saddle shoes: Low shoes distinguished by a contrasting saddle-shaped panel across the instep.
Satin shirt: A shirt made from smooth, lustrous satin fabric for a dressy or statement-making appearance.
Scarf: A length of fabric worn around the neck for warmth, color, texture, or styling.
Sharkskin Suit: A suit made from fabric woven to create a smooth surface with a subtle two-tone or reflective effect. Browse sharkskin suits.
Shawl collar: A continuous rounded collar that rolls smoothly into the lapel without a notch or peak.
Shearling jacket: A warm jacket made from or lined with sheepskin that retains its wool fleece.
Shirt: An upper-body garment that may be woven or knitted and can range from casual T-shirts to formal dress shirts.
Shorts: Trousers cut to end above the knee or somewhere between the knee and upper thigh, depending on the style.
Single-breasted suit: A suit whose jacket has one front button column and a relatively narrow overlap.
Slim fit: A close-cut silhouette with less ease through the body and legs than regular or classic fits. Browse slim fit suits.
Slip-on shoes: Shoes designed to be put on without laces, including loafers and other laceless styles.
Sneakers: Casual or athletic shoes typically built with flexible uppers and rubber or synthetic soles.
Snow boots: Insulated, weather-resistant boots designed for snowy and cold conditions.
Socks: Foot coverings worn inside shoes for comfort, moisture management, warmth, and style.
Sport coat: A tailored jacket designed to be worn with nonmatching trousers, often featuring more texture or pattern than a suit jacket.
Straw Fedora: A fedora made from straw or straw-like woven material, typically lighter and more breathable for warm-weather wear. Browse men’s hats.
Suit: A coordinated tailored outfit in which the jacket and trousers are made from matching fabric; a three-piece suit also includes a matching vest. Browse men’s suits.
Suit Drop: The difference between a suit jacket’s chest size and the matching trouser waist size. A six-inch drop is common in many suit sizes, while larger jacket sizes may use a smaller drop depending on the manufacturer and cut.
Suit Jacket: The tailored jacket that forms the upper portion of a suit and is made from the same fabric as the matching trousers.
Suit Size: A men’s suit size usually combines a chest measurement with a length designation such as Short, Regular, or Long. Use our men’s suit size estimator for a starting point.
Sunglasses: Eyewear with tinted or light-filtering lenses designed to reduce glare and protect the eyes from bright sunlight.
Suspenders: Straps worn over the shoulders and attached to trousers to hold them at the waist.
Suede jacket: A jacket made from suede, a leather with a soft napped surface.
Sweatshirt: A casual knit top made from soft fleece or loopback fabric, available in crew-neck, hooded, and zip-front forms.
Swim trunks: Shorts designed for swimming and other water activities, generally made from quick-drying fabric.

T

T-shirt: A casual knit shirt with short sleeves and typically a crew or V-shaped neckline.
Tank top: A sleeveless casual or athletic top with open armholes.
Tennis shoes: Athletic shoes designed for court movement and traction; the term is also used casually for sneakers.
Thermal shirt: A base-layer or casual shirt made to help retain body heat, often using waffle-knit or insulating fabric.
Thermal underwear: Insulating base-layer garments worn under clothing for added warmth.
Three-Piece Suit: A suit consisting of a matching jacket, trousers, and vest. Three-piece suits are popular for weddings, church, business, and formal occasions. Browse three-piece suits.
Tie: A long strip of fabric knotted around the neck and worn with a collared shirt, especially in business and formal dress.
Tracksuit: A coordinated athletic or casual set consisting of a jacket or top and matching pants.
Trench coat: A long belted coat with military-inspired details, traditionally made from rain-resistant fabric.
Trunks: A short style of swimwear or, in some contexts, close-fitting underwear.
Turtleneck: A top with a high tubular collar that covers much of the neck and usually folds over.
Tuxedo: A formal evening suit distinguished by satin or grosgrain details on the lapels and often on the trouser seams. Browse men’s tuxedos.
Tuxedo Jacket: The formal jacket portion of a tuxedo, typically featuring satin or grosgrain on the lapels and often designed with a notch, peak, or shawl lapel.
Twill pants: Pants made from twill, a woven fabric recognizable by its diagonal rib pattern.
Two-Piece Suit: A suit consisting of a matching jacket and trousers without a matching vest. Browse two-piece suits.

U

Umbrella: A collapsible canopy carried for protection from rain or sun.
Undergarments: Clothing worn beneath outer garments, including underwear, undershirts, and thermal base layers.
Utility jacket: A practical casual jacket characterized by functional pockets, durable fabric, and workwear or military influence.

V

Vest: A sleeveless garment worn over a shirt; in tailoring, it may be the third piece of a three-piece suit.

W

Waistcoat: Another term for a tailored vest, especially the vest worn as part of a three-piece suit.
Walking suit: A coordinated men’s casual set, typically pairing a matching shirt or jacket-style top with trousers for a relaxed but polished look. Browse men’s walking suits.
Wallet: A compact case used to carry cards, identification, and cash.
Watch: A timepiece worn on the wrist and often used as both a practical and decorative accessory.
Water-resistant jacket: A jacket designed to repel light moisture for a limited period without necessarily being fully waterproof.
Wide-Brim Fedora: A fedora with a broader brim that creates a stronger silhouette and offers more shade than a narrow-brim style. Browse men’s hats.
Windbreaker: A lightweight outer jacket designed primarily to reduce wind penetration.
Wingtip shoes: Dress shoes with a W-shaped toe cap that extends back along the sides, frequently decorated with broguing.
Winter boots: Boots designed for cold weather with insulation, weather-resistant construction, and added traction.
Winter coat: An insulated or heavyweight outer coat intended for cold conditions.
Wool Felt Fedora: A fedora made from wool felt, valued for its structured shape, soft hand, and suitability for cooler weather. Browse men’s hats.
Wool Suit: A suit made primarily from wool or a wool-rich blend, valued for drape, breathability, and traditional tailored appearance. Browse wool suits.
Work boots: Durable boots designed for protection and support in work environments.
Workwear: Clothing originally designed for manual labor and durability, now also used as a casual style category.
Woven shirt: A shirt made from woven rather than knitted fabric, including most dress shirts and many button-front casual shirts.

Z

Zip-up hoodie: A hooded sweatshirt that opens and closes with a full or partial front zipper.

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