https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name Style Advice for Fashion Lovers en-US Sun, 03 May 2026 14:30:22 +0000 http://bbpress.org/?v=1.0.2 q https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/search.php https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887415 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:17:29 +0000 Gaylene 887415@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Oh,&nbsp; yes--those color descriptors that paint companies use to set our hearts beating faster. I painted the walls of our house in <i>Starlight</i>. And I still think longingly of painting my kitchen in <i>Buttercream</i> (even if the actual paint color is a rather ugly yellowish white)<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887405 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 21:01:57 +0000 texstyle 887405@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Color, figure flattery is always a concern to me too, but I guess I was thinking more of the&nbsp;descriptive words of the purpose and&nbsp;mood&nbsp;of the garment. Not&nbsp;just the color or size or shape.&nbsp;&nbsp;Of course who makes it is important too - Eddie Bauer, LL Bean and Lands End may be&nbsp;associated with utility more than say, Ann Taylor or&nbsp;J. Crew.&nbsp;&nbsp; But across the board I've noticed that certain key words are often used to describe particular styles and mood&nbsp;of clothing.&nbsp; <br /><br />Angie, I live on the edge of a very large ranch - we're not ranchers ourselves. Though the deer herds&nbsp;sometimes can make you feel like you are.&nbsp;&nbsp;The lifestyle out here has that vibe and you end up embracing it and being part of it - for all the good and the bad. And I know what you mean about descriptors - I'm a huge web researcher and have been since the beginning of it's popularity. Finding things based on particular keywords is definitely an art and a science. Clothing retailers could use this to their advantage more than they are currently.<br /><br />Rachylou - yes, the names can turn me off too - it's something the marketers must pay some attention to, but I suppose they have their own target market goals.<br /><br />Gaylene, that's more what I was getting at...the clothing descriptors used by the retailers seem to at least somewhat&nbsp; indicate their mood if not their purpose. And I've realized that this makes some difference to me when I'm browsing online for clothing. The same thing pertains to me for paint colors and other items I purchase. https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887338 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:23:00 +0000 Gaylene 887338@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Actually Texstyle, I think you are on to something. Brand loyalties aside, I think descriptors catch our attention and make us look at an item more closely if the descriptor seems a better 'fit" with our lifestyle and tastes.<br /><br />For example, I'm more attracted to <i>Shirts</i> than <i>Blouses</i>, <i>Skimming</i> than <i>Body Conscious,</i> <i>Asymmetrical</i> than <i>Ladylike</i>, <i>Trenches</i> than <i>Coats</i>, and <i>Nautical&nbsp; than Floral</i>. It doesn't mean that I wouldn't look at, or even buy, items in the last category, but that my tendency would be check out items with the first descriptor in each pair before I clicked on items with the second descriptor. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887333 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:13:59 +0000 Vildy 887333@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I've come to the realization that I'm the exact opposite of you. I can fall under the romance of rugged clothing but really it has nothing to do with my life. I went camping once with my husband - he almost drove off the road from violent vomiting from food poisioning ( he ended up in the hospital), plus there was a storm that came up and blew the tend over with me in it, plus our hemophilic child was content playing videogames in the campground general store - that the storm blew the roof off of. I had pictures of me camping. My friend said to me that I didn't even have to tell her, it was all in my expression.<br /><br />In a book by Paula Reed, I think it was, she discussed age-appropriate clothes and said go ahead and wear motorcycle clothes - if you ride a motorcycle. In other words, avoid costume. This appeal to me, though I see everything as cinematic. Rugged utility clothes are nothing but costume on me. So I've happily passed them along. <br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887329 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 18:01:29 +0000 Kristin L 887329@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Very interesting, texstyle. I hadn't thought about shopping for clothes by name like that. I've realized lately I've stuck with certain brands because I know how they fit and how they wear.&nbsp;<br /><br />@liz - I'm not Angie, but I think it's more of a&nbsp;specific style of shirt. Like all jeans are pants, but not all pants are jeans.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887296 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 16:46:20 +0000 Liz A. 887296@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ @angie, how would you describe the difference between a blouse and a shirt? (I thought blouse was a name for a woman's shirt, like panties for underwear https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887283 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 16:28:30 +0000 rachylou 887283@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Funny enough, this crossed my mind earlier this week. The radio was talking about Joe Fresh opening boutiques in J.C. Penny. At first I had to sort out if Joe Fresh was the same as Joe Boxer in my mind... so I have this confusion/association there. And in any case, both names turn me off. A line named "Joe" does not attract me. It makes me think these are clothing lines for schleps.<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887227 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:37:56 +0000 Thistle 887227@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I look for a couple of things. Figure flattery is up there on that list, right next to comfort and&nbsp;ease of care of a garmet.&nbsp; I love Kate Spade, but I don't even think of saving for her dresses because her items tend to be delicate and dry clean only. Something I have no time or patience for.<br /><br />Before the birth of my daughter, I indulged in a few higher maintenance items. Now I just don't. I want what I wear to work as hard as I do. I usually change into my work clothes right before heading out the door, and take them off shortly after getting home. But if a happy toddler want cuddles while I am in work clothes, cuddles always, always win! https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887224 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:34:29 +0000 Angie 887224@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ That's so interesting, Tex! Thanks for sharing, and I didn't know that you lived on a ranch. I'm glad that you've found a way to filter through the overwhelming amount of merchandise. Good for you! The descriptions that you look for make sense.&nbsp;<br /><br />I am ALL about the product, and barely notice the description - at first. I was a fashion buyer for many years so that part makes sense. That said,&nbsp;I am sensitive to things being named accurately - once I notice the description :). For example, there is a big difference between a blouse and a shirt - and when the two are mixed up, I feel a need inside "to correct". Another by-product of having been a fashion buyer.&nbsp;Zara is the WORST!!! They describe vests as coats, blouses as t-shirts, shorts as pants, tunics as dresses, bombers as blazers - and the list goes on.&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887223 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:32:47 +0000 Ingunn 887223@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ My first choice would be fabric and then color. I live in the suburbs, but are much more attracted to clothes for&nbsp;city living: "Structured, classic, modern", even a little gritty. Then my lifestyle gets in the way, enter "casual, practical". https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887220 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:27:55 +0000 Kalli 887220@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Hmm I'm attracted to fabric more than style or so it seems&nbsp; https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887208 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:13:33 +0000 ironkurtin 887208@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ I'm more brand-centered, because I know certain brands make the clothing that makes sense for me.&nbsp; I'm always happy to discover a new one!<br /><br />But I do like "asymmetric" and "soft."<br /> https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/topic/clothing---whats-in-a-name#post-887201 Sun, 24 Mar 2013 15:08:40 +0000 texstyle 887201@https://youlookfab.com/welookfab/ Utility Shirt, Muscle Tee, Military Jacket, Silk Placket, Easy, Boxy, Sheer <br />Chiffon, Nautical, Boyfriend, Bandage, Wrap Front, Peplum, A-Lin, Floral, Versailles,"Collection," ...the list goes on. <br /><br />But I think it's only recently that I've begun to realize that my personal style and life style are definitely wrapped up in the names of the clothing items I usually purchase. I have a very relaxed, sometimes rugged life style. I live on ranch land in the higher central Texas hill country amongst cactus, lots of granite and dusty, sandy soil, ranchers, deer, wildlife, etc. The weather is pretty extreme. Wind gusts of 40 mph are common here, even in summer. Flash floods are fewer between but sometimes up to 14 inches overnight. It's HOT most of the year - in the high 90's to 100's is common May - October. Except when it's cold (in the 20's at night for a month or so). When we go out, we're typically going to a big metal building to taste a local vineyard's wine and hear some great fiddle music, or maybe to an outdoor ranch wedding. You get the picture. It's rare that I need a "dressy" outfit but it does occur for business meetings, some weddings and a few fundraisers.<br /><br />So what names do I tend to look for most in clothing? Utility. Knit. Slub Knit (easy care) Easy. Relaxed. Boyfriend. Washed. Denim. Chambray. I also look for styles I like which tend to be Classic, v-neck, fitted, tailored, "perfect," etc.<br /><br />What names do you look for when shopping for clothes? Or have you ever thought about it much?