New to fashion? Here’s your guide to the must-know men’s style terms September 2, 2019August 7, 2019 Mo Mulchandani If you’re a late bloomer to the rules of men’s fashion it’s easy to feel overwhelmed when you stack the added elements that differentiate a casual or formal look. So, whether you’re looking to revamp your wardrobe or simply add a few new favorites, it’s important to know a bit about style vocabulary if you want to learn how to speak the language; especially when your peers start throwing around phrases and words that you don’t understand. Nevertheless, with a brush-up on your stylized reading, you can go from a complete beginner to a sophisticated gentleman with the right amount of ornate lingo to uplift your swanky style. Now, let’s start by acquiring some dapper, with-it style terms. Seersucker Not only is the word fun to say, but it also has a long, historical significance from the 18th-century. The term, seersucker, is a phrase derived from Hindi, meaning “striped cloth” (which was also borrowed from the Persian languages translation, meaning “milk and honey”). While the traditional seersucker fabric was made from blue and white, vertically-striped cotton (sometimes checkered) and was first-seen among American-British colonies in 1722, today the term is used to describe a wide selection of menswear that’s both lightweight and possesses a striped pattern. Single-breasted vs. double-breasted No, we aren’t talking about Mezlan shoes on sale, in fact, we’re referring to the layout of the classic suit jacket. A single-breasted suit jacket features a narrow overlap that’s fastened on a single row of buttons with the left side buttoned over to the right. However, the double-breasted jackets feature two rows of buttons that are parallel to one another with the second row providing a more regal look. Lapel vs. peak lapel The folded part of the suit jacket is technically a lapel; however, some men simply call it their collar. This means that a peak lapel is a term that’s used to describe the style where your collar matches the size proportion of the width of your tie. You can even take an extra, fashionable step by placing an elegant tie pin that can fasten easily to your lapel. What does the term “made to measure” mean? These linked words refer to suits that take an existing base pattern and then tailor the garment based on the measurements of the soon-to-be wearer. This all happens before the suit is constructed to ensure superior fit compared to items that are just taken and worn directly off the rack. Bespoke suiting The term bespoke suiting refers to a piece that has been entirely crafted based on the specifications that were provided by the customer. It involved quality workmanship, often requiring a full floating canvas, basted fitted and a detailed hand finishing to achieve the high-quality look of the aspiring garment. Wearers also have the option to choose the fabrics, patterns and the number of buttons. Herringbone This knitted, zig-zag pattern is found on wool fabric coats as well as heavier suits. It’s also quite common for tweed fabrics to be woven in the herringbone pattern. Monks This word is best used to describe a dress shoe which features no laces and is fastened by twin buckles and a thick, leather strap. It’s one considered to be a rather modern looking dress shoe for the contemporary man. Loafers You’re in luck because many of our Mezlan shoes for sale that comes in the loafer style. This shoe is designed to be worn casual, featuring a moccasin shape with a flat heel and some detailing on the tongue. They’re best worn with invisible socks to complete the easy-going, slip-on look. What are your favorite style terms to pass on to the fashion newbies? Drop a comment below to share with our readers.