Metrosexual A cultural and consumer identity for men emphasizing grooming, fashion, and lifestyle choices rather than sexual orientation or biology.
Mini-skirt: definition, history, variations and cultural impact Mini-skirt A compact overview of the mini-skirt: its defining features, emergence in 1960s fashion, key designers, variations (minidress, microskirt, hot pants) and its cultural significance…
Moccasin: traditional soft‑soled leather footwear and its modern forms Moccasin A moccasin is a soft‑soled shoe traditionally cut from a single piece of leather such as deerskin. It has cultural roots in Indigenous North America and survives today in many trad…
Moda Domani Institute French higher education institute in Paris (founded 2014) specializing in the business and creative sides of luxury, fashion and design with industry-focused programs and practical…
Monster High: origin, design, media, and cultural impact Monster High Monster High is a fashion doll franchise launched by Mattel in 2010 featuring teenage characters inspired by classic monsters. It expanded into books, web series, games and a colle…
Muff (hand-warming accessory) Muff A muff is a cylindrical hand-warming accessory, traditionally made of fur or fabric. Once a common fashion item from the early modern era to the 19th century, it declined with chan…
Nap (textile) Raised, fuzzy surface on cloth produced by brushing or shearing. Seen in velvet, suede and corduroy; influences appearance, feel, cutting and care of garments and upholstery.
Navy Blue — Color, History, and Uses Navy blue Navy blue is a very dark shade of blue originating from naval uniforms. This article explains its appearance, common codes, history, practical uses, and how it differs from similar…
Necklace (ornamental neckwear) Necklace A necklace is ornamental jewelry worn around the neck, made from metals, gemstones, beads or other materials. It serves decorative, symbolic, ceremonial and identity purposes acros…
Necktie A necktie is a long piece of cloth worn around the neck and tied in a knot. It is a common element of formal and professional dress, with many materials, styles, knots and cultural…
Nightgown (nightdress): design, history, and varieties Nightgown A nightgown is a loose garment worn for sleeping and lounging. This article explains common styles, fabrics, historical development, practical uses and distinctions from pajamas an…
Niqāb: the face veil worn by some Muslim women Niqāb Niqāb: a veil covering most of a woman's face, worn for reasons of modesty, religion, or culture. Explains appearance, variations, history, comparisons, social and legal contexts,…
Obi: the Japanese sash—types, history, tying methods and cultural role Obi An overview of the obi, the traditional Japanese sash worn with kimono and keikogi: materials, major types, tying styles, history, martial-arts belts, and its cultural importance a…
Overcoat: long outer garments for warmth and style Overcoat An overcoat is a long, warm coat worn over other clothing. This article explains characteristics, common styles, history, uses, and how overcoats differ from related outerwear.
Paisley (design) Paisley is a teardrop-shaped ornamental motif with intricate curved patterns, rooted in Persian and South Asian textile traditions and widely used in fashion, home decor and graphi…
Pajamas: clothing for sleep and relaxation Pajamas Loose garments worn for sleeping; styles, materials, history, cultural variations and practical care of pajamas (pyjamas). Includes etymology and typical components.
Pantalettes Pantalettes are 19th-century leg-covering undergarments worn under skirts for modesty and warmth. Popular in Victorian fashion and children's dress, they declined as undergarment s…
Panties (Women's Underwear): Types, Materials, and Uses Panties A concise overview of panties (women's undergarments): common styles, materials, historical background, practical uses, and care considerations for everyday wear and specialized ne…
Pantyhose (tights): design, varieties, history and uses Pantyhose Pantyhose, also called tights, are close-fitting legwear from waist to toes. This article explains materials, styles (sheer, opaque, patterned, compression), denier, care, history…
Patch (repair, decorative and technical applications) Patch A patch is a flexible piece of material applied to cover, reinforce, or decorate an item. This article explains types, materials, attachment methods, uses, brief history and notabl…
Pendant (jewelry) Pendant A pendant is an ornament that hangs from a chain or cord. This article explains its parts, history, types, cultural roles, and how pendants are used and cared for.
Perfume: composition, history, types, and uses Perfume An accessible overview of perfume covering composition, natural and synthetic ingredients, historical development, types by concentration, application tips, and cultural importance…
Perm (hairstyle) A perm is a chemical hair treatment that creates long-lasting curls or waves. The technique has evolved since the early 20th century and includes several methods, chemistries, and…
Personal care: toiletries, grooming, and everyday hygiene products Personal care Overview of personal care products: types, history, common uses, differences from cosmetics and medicines, where they are sold and basic safety and environmental considerations.
Personal grooming: hygiene, appearance, and self-care Personal grooming Personal grooming is the routine care of the body and appearance—cleaning, hair and skin care, nails, and related practices that support hygiene, health, social presentation, and w…
Petticoat: form, history, and uses of the underskirt Petticoat A petticoat is an underskirt worn to shape, insulate, or add volume beneath a skirt or dress. This article outlines types, historical development, materials, care, and modern uses.
Phrygian cap (liberty cap) Phrygian cap A soft, conical cap with a forward-bent tip, associated with peoples of Anatolia and the Balkans in antiquity and later adopted as a symbol of liberty, republicanism and national p…
Pin stripes: pattern, history, and uses in textiles and fashion Pin stripes Pin stripes are very thin, parallel lines woven or printed into fabric. Common in men's suiting, they also appear in sports uniforms and modern fashion; their spacing, color, and p…
Platform shoe Footwear with a thick, raised sole across the entire length of the foot, used for height, protection, fashion and performance from antiquity to the present.
Pocket (clothing): purpose, types, history and cultural notes Pocket A pocket is a sewn pouch in clothing used to hold small items. This article explains common types, construction, historical development, everyday uses and notable social or design…
Polonaise (historic women's gown and overskirt style) Polonaise (clothing) A polonaise is an 18th–19th century women's gown style featuring a fitted bodice and a skirt gathered or draped up to reveal a petticoat; it influenced later Victorian fashions and…
Polyester: overview, types, uses and environmental aspects Polyester Polyester is a family of synthetic polymers widely used for fibers, films and bottles. This article explains its chemistry, common types (notably PET), applications, history, and e…
Ponytail (hairstyle) Ponytail A ponytail is a simple tied-back hairstyle in which hair is gathered and secured to hang freely; it has many variations, practical uses, cultural meanings, and care considerations.
Prada: Italian luxury fashion house Prada Prada is an Italian luxury fashion house founded in Milan, known for ready-to-wear, leather goods and a blend of modern minimalism with experimental design, plus cultural projects…
Prêt-à-Porter (film) Prêt-à-Porter (movie) 1994 ensemble comedy-drama directed by Robert Altman, satirizing the fashion industry during Paris Fashion Week; released in the U.S. as Ready to Wear and notable for a large celeb…
Retro: Origins, Characteristics, and Cultural Revival Retro Retro describes styles, products, and cultural references that imitate or come from earlier decades—typically 15–20 years or older—often evoking mid‑20th century aesthetics.
Ribbon — materials, uses, history, and types Ribbon A ribbon is a narrow, flexible strip of fabric, plastic, or metal used for tying, decoration, insignia, and functional purposes; this article explains materials, types, history, co…
Riding habit A riding habit is a tailored women's outfit designed for horse riding. It balances practicality and modesty and evolved from 18th-century fashions into specialized styles for sides…
Robe Loose outer garment worn for comfort, ceremonial, academic, or professional purposes; includes bathrobes, dressing gowns, judicial and academic robes with varied materials and trad…
Salwar kameez: traditional South Asian tunic and trousers Salwar kameez A traditional two-piece outfit of loose trousers (salwar) and a tunic (kameez) originating in South Asia, worn by women and men with many regional styles, fabrics and cultural mean…
Sandal (footwear): design, history, uses and varieties Sandal (footwear) A sandal is an open shoe with a sole held by straps or thongs. This article explains its parts, materials, historical roots, practical benefits and health trade-offs, and common st…
Sari: traditional South Asian garment and other meanings Sari Sari — a long, unstitched draped garment worn chiefly by women in South Asia; covers design, draping styles, materials, history, cultural role, and other uses of the word 'Sari'.
Sari: traditional South Asian draped garment Sari (clothing) A sari (saree, shari) is a long unstitched cloth draped by women across South Asia. This article explains its construction, regional drapes, history, fabrics, cultural importance a…
Sash (cloth band worn around the waist or over the shoulder) Sash A sash is a broad strip of fabric worn around the waist or across the body for fastening garments, ceremonial display, rank insignia, or decoration in many cultures and uniforms.
Satin (fabric): properties, history, uses and notable varieties Satin Satin is a smooth, lustrous fabric defined by its satin weave. This article summarizes its weave structure, common fibers, history, principal uses, care, named varieties such as du…
Scarf: types, uses, history and cultural significance Scarf A scarf is a piece of fabric worn around the neck or head for warmth, modesty, protection or fashion. This article explains common types, materials, history, cultural and religious…
Scarification: cultural practice, methods, meanings, and risks Scarification Scarification is the intentional creation of permanent scars on the skin for cultural, aesthetic, or personal reasons. This article explains techniques, history, motivations, and h…
Sewing: techniques, tools, history, and practical uses Sewing Overview of sewing practices, materials, tools, historical development, applications and repair techniques for clothing, furnishings, and crafts.
