Ready-to-wear
RED-ee-tuh-WAIR
/ˌrɛdi tə ˈwɛər/
Factory-made clothing produced in standardized sizes and sold finished off the rack.
Represents the mainstream fashion market that bridges high design concepts with commercial accessibility.
The story behind the word. Before the industrial revolution and sewing machine inventions of the mid-19th century, almost all clothing was made at home or by local tailors. Mass manufacturing allowed factories to produce standardized sizes during the US Civil War for military uniforms. By the mid-20th century, French designers embraced 'prêt-à-porter' (ready-to-wear) to make stylish fashion available beyond aristocratic elites.
Word relationships
- off-the-rack: Off-the-rack is an everyday descriptive idiom, while ready-to-wear (or prêt-à-porter) is the standard industry terminology.
- off-the-peg: Off-the-peg is British informal usage; ready-to-wear is international formal trade terminology.
- haute couture: Haute couture consists of exclusive, handmade, custom-fitted pieces.
- bespoke: Bespoke garments are individually measured and crafted from scratch.
Commonly confused with
- Prêt-à-porter: Prêt-à-porter is simply the French exact translation of 'ready-to-wear' used interchangeably in fashion journalism.
Collocations
- ready-to-wear collection
- ready-to-wear line
- ready-to-wear brand
- ready-to-wear fashion week
Example sentences
- "Although haute couture gains news headlines, ready-to-wear collections supply eighty percent of fashion house profits." Industry Financials
- "Paris Fashion Week hosts separate seasonal showcases for ready-to-wear lines and custom couture." Fashion Week
Memory hook
READY-TO-WEAR: It is READY in the shop TO WEAR immediately without tailor visits. Standardized fashion straight off the rack.
When not to use
Do not use to describe individual custom-fitted garments sewn to personal customer dimensions.
Fun facts
- Designer Yves Saint Laurent opened 'Rive Gauche' in 1966, becoming the first major couturier to launch a dedicated freestanding ready-to-wear boutique.
Related words
Explore more words
off-the-rack, Tailoring, measurement, Millinery, apparel, size chart
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