People love to talk about clothes, shoes, and style. We wear different outfits for school, parties, sports, and more. The way we dress can show our mood or who we are. That’s why fashion is such a big part of our lives. To talk about fashion in a fun way, people use special phrases called idioms.
Idioms are not meant to be taken word for word. They use pictures in our minds to explain something. For example, “dressed to the nines” doesn’t mean counting to nine—it means someone is wearing their best clothes. In this article, you will learn 40 fashion idioms. These idioms will help you understand how people talk about clothes and style in everyday life.
Idioms About Fashion
1. Dressed to the nines
Meaning: Wearing very elegant or stylish clothes.
Example Sentences:
- She was dressed to the nines for the school dance.
- He always dresses to the nines for church on Sundays.
Other ways to say: Dressed up, looking sharp.
Fun Fact/Origin: The exact origin is unclear, but it has been used since the 18th century to denote perfection or the highest degree.
Usage: Used to describe someone wearing their best clothes.
2. Fashion faux pas
Meaning: A mistake in fashion; wearing something inappropriate or unfashionable.
Example Sentences:
- Wearing socks with sandals is considered a fashion faux pas.
- She committed a fashion faux pas by wearing white after Labor Day.
Other ways to say: Fashion mistake, style error.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Faux pas” is French for “false step.”
Usage: Used to describe a fashion mistake.
3. Dressed to kill
Meaning: Wearing clothes intended to impress or attract attention.
Example Sentences:
- She was dressed to kill at the party.
- He arrived dressed to kill in a sharp suit.
Other ways to say: Dressed to impress, looking stunning.
Fun Fact/Origin: This idiom suggests that someone’s appearance is so striking it could metaphorically “kill.”
Usage: Used when someone is dressed very attractively.
4. In one’s Sunday best
Meaning: Wearing one’s best clothes, typically for a special occasion.
Example Sentences:
- The children were in their Sunday best for the wedding.
- She wore her Sunday best to the church service.
Other ways to say: Best attire, finest clothes.
Fun Fact/Origin: Traditionally, people wore their best clothes to church on Sundays.
Usage: Used to describe someone wearing their finest clothes.
5. All the rage
Meaning: Very popular or fashionable at the moment.
Example Sentences:
- Those sneakers are all the rage among teenagers.
- Crop tops were all the rage last summer.
Other ways to say: Trending, in vogue.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Rage” in this context means a widespread enthusiasm.
Usage: Used to describe something currently very popular.
6. Fashion-forward
Meaning: Ahead of current fashion trends; innovative in style.
Example Sentences:
- Her fashion-forward outfits always turn heads.
- He’s known for his fashion-forward sense of style.
Other ways to say: Trendsetter, stylish.
Fun Fact/Origin: Combines “fashion” with “forward” to suggest leading in style.
Usage: Used to describe someone who sets or follows new fashion trends.
7. To have an eye for fashion
Meaning: To have a natural ability to notice and understand fashion trends.
Example Sentences:
- She has an eye for fashion and always looks great.
- His eye for fashion makes him a great stylist.
Other ways to say: Fashion-savvy, style-conscious.
Fun Fact/Origin: Refers to someone who can “see” what looks good.
Usage: Used to describe someone with good fashion sense.
8. To be in vogue
Meaning: Currently fashionable or trendy.
Example Sentences:
- High-waisted jeans are in vogue this year.
- Minimalist designs are in vogue now.
Other ways to say: In style, fashionable.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Vogue” is French for “fashion.”
Usage: Used to describe something currently fashionable.
9. To be out of style
Meaning: No longer fashionable or trendy.
Example Sentences:
- Bell-bottom pants are out of style now.
- That hairstyle went out of style years ago.
Other ways to say: Unfashionable, outdated.
Fun Fact/Origin: “Style” refers to fashion; being “out” means no longer in trend.
Usage: Used to describe something no longer fashionable.
10. To put one’s best foot forward
Meaning: To make the best impression possible.
Example Sentences:
- She put her best foot forward during the interview.
- He put his best foot forward on the first day of school.
Other ways to say: Make a good impression, do one’s best.
Fun Fact/Origin: Possibly from the idea of starting off on the right foot.
Usage: Used when someone tries to make a good impression.
11. Smart as a whip
Meaning: Dressed neatly and stylishly.
Example Sentences:
- He looked smart as a whip at the school award show.
- She was smart as a whip in her new blazer.
Other ways to say: Well-dressed, sharp-looking
Fun Fact/Origin: Originally used to mean clever, but can also describe neat appearance.
Usage: Used to describe someone who looks tidy and fashionable.
12. Dressed to the teeth
Meaning: Wearing very formal or fancy clothes.
Example Sentences:
- They were dressed to the teeth for the prom.
- He came dressed to the teeth in a tuxedo.
Other ways to say: Fully dressed, very formal
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from the idea of wearing everything possible, up to your teeth.
Usage: Used when someone is fully dressed in fancy clothing.
13. Tighten your belt
Meaning: To spend less money.
Example Sentences:
- We had to tighten our belts after dad lost his job.
- During hard times, families tighten their belts.
Other ways to say: Cut back, save money
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from needing to use a tighter belt when you can’t afford food.
Usage: Used when talking about being careful with money.
14. Fit like a glove
Meaning: To fit perfectly.
Example Sentences:
- Her new dress fits like a glove.
- That jacket fits him like a glove.
Other ways to say: Perfect fit, tailored fit
Fun Fact/Origin: Gloves must fit snugly to be useful.
Usage: Used when clothing fits someone perfectly.
15. Hand-me-down
Meaning: Clothes passed from one person to another.
Example Sentences:
- I wore my brother’s hand-me-downs in elementary school.
- She gave her baby’s clothes as hand-me-downs to her niece.
Other ways to say: Secondhand clothes, passed-down clothes
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from the action of handing clothes down to younger kids.
Usage: Used when clothing is passed to others, often in families.
16. Keep your shirt on
Meaning: Stay calm or patient.
Example Sentences:
- Keep your shirt on! The bus will be here soon.
- He told his sister to keep her shirt on while waiting in line.
Other ways to say: Calm down, don’t get upset
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old times when angry people would take off their shirts to fight.
Usage: Used when telling someone to stay calm.
17. With bells on
Meaning: Dressed nicely and excited to go somewhere.
Example Sentences:
- I’ll be at your party with bells on!
- She showed up to the parade with bells on and a big smile.
Other ways to say: Eager, ready and happy
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from putting bells on clothing for celebration.
Usage: Used when someone is excited and dressed up.
18. Roll up your sleeves
Meaning: Prepare to work hard.
Example Sentences:
- Let’s roll up our sleeves and finish the art project.
- She rolled up her sleeves and helped clean the park.
Other ways to say: Get ready to work, pitch in
Fun Fact/Origin: People literally roll sleeves up to work better.
Usage: Used when someone is ready to get to work.
19. Off the cuff
Meaning: Without planning or preparation.
Example Sentences:
- He gave an off-the-cuff speech at the talent show.
- Her joke was funny even though it was off the cuff.
Other ways to say: Unplanned, spontaneous
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from people writing notes on shirt cuffs for speeches.
Usage: Used when something is said or done without planning.
20. Wear your heart on your sleeve
Meaning: To show your feelings openly.
Example Sentences:
- He wears his heart on his sleeve and cries during sad movies.
- She wore her heart on her sleeve after losing the game.
Other ways to say: Show your emotions, be open
Fun Fact/Origin: May come from medieval times when knights wore tokens on sleeves.
Usage: Used to describe someone who doesn’t hide feelings.
21. Best-dressed
Meaning: Wearing the nicest clothes in a group.
Example Sentences:
- She was voted best-dressed at the school dance.
- He’s always the best-dressed at family events.
Other ways to say: Most stylish, well-dressed
Fun Fact/Origin: Popular in magazines that rate celebrity outfits.
Usage: Used to describe someone who dresses very well.
22. Catwalk-ready
Meaning: Looking stylish enough to be in a fashion show.
Example Sentences:
- Her outfit today is totally catwalk-ready.
- He looked catwalk-ready in his shiny new shoes.
Other ways to say: Fashion-show ready, model-style
Fun Fact/Origin: A “catwalk” is the narrow runway in fashion shows.
Usage: Used to describe very fashionable outfits.
23. Fashion police
Meaning: People who criticize others’ clothes.
Example Sentences:
- My sister acts like the fashion police when I get dressed.
- The fashion police would say those socks don’t match!
Other ways to say: Style critic, clothing judge
Fun Fact/Origin: A funny way to talk about people who care too much about clothes.
Usage: Used to describe people who point out fashion mistakes.
24. All dolled up
Meaning: Dressed very fancy.
Example Sentences:
- She got all dolled up for her birthday.
- He looked all dolled up in his new suit.
Other ways to say: All dressed up, fancy-looking
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from dolls that are dressed up and neat.
Usage: Used to describe someone who looks especially fancy.
25. Throw on
Meaning: To put clothes on quickly.
Example Sentences:
- I threw on a hoodie before going outside.
- She threw on a coat and ran to catch the bus.
Other ways to say: Slip on, quickly dress
Fun Fact/Origin: Suggests dressing without thinking too much.
Usage: Used when someone gets dressed quickly.
26. To be in tatters
Meaning: Clothes are very worn out or torn.
Example Sentences:
- His shirt was in tatters after playing outside.
- The old jacket was in tatters from years of use.
Other ways to say: Ripped, ragged
Fun Fact/Origin: “Tatters” are torn pieces of cloth.
Usage: Used when clothes are badly damaged.
27. Dress the part
Meaning: Dress in a way that fits a role or event.
Example Sentences:
- For the school play, she dressed the part of a queen.
- He dressed the part for his job interview.
Other ways to say: Match the look, dress right
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in acting and real life.
Usage: Used when someone wears clothes that match the situation.
28. Suit up
Meaning: Put on a suit or special uniform.
Example Sentences:
- The team suited up before the big game.
- He suited up for the science fair presentation.
Other ways to say: Get dressed, wear special clothes
Fun Fact/Origin: Common in sports and superhero movies.
Usage: Used when someone wears gear for an event.
29. Tight as pants on a hippo
Meaning: Too tight or doesn’t fit right.
Example Sentences:
- Those jeans are tight as pants on a hippo!
- The costume was tight as pants on a hippo after lunch.
Other ways to say: Very tight, doesn’t fit well
Fun Fact/Origin: A silly image to show tight clothes.
Usage: Used when clothes are way too small.
30. Style over substance
Meaning: Looks good but may not work well.
Example Sentences:
- That jacket is style over substance—it’s not even warm!
- The shoes look nice but hurt my feet. Style over substance!
Other ways to say: Looks nice but not useful
Fun Fact/Origin: Used when something values appearance more than use.
Usage: Used for clothes or things that look better than they work.
31. Dress to impress
Meaning: Wear clothes to make others notice or admire you.
Example Sentences:
- He dressed to impress on his first day of school.
- She dressed to impress at the talent show.
Other ways to say: Dress nicely, look sharp
Fun Fact/Origin: Often used for events like interviews or dates.
Usage: Used when someone wants to look their best for others.
32. Put a sock in it
Meaning: A way to tell someone to stop talking.
Example Sentences:
- I told my brother to put a sock in it while I was studying.
- “Put a sock in it!” yelled the kid trying to hear the teacher.
Other ways to say: Be quiet, stop talking
Fun Fact/Origin: An old joke about using a sock to muffle sound.
Usage: Used playfully to tell someone to stop talking.
33. Out of pocket
Meaning: Spending your own money.
Example Sentences:
- I bought my Halloween costume out of pocket.
- She paid for the dress out of pocket.
Other ways to say: Self-paid, from your own money
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from paying cash from your pocket.
Usage: Used when someone buys something without help.
34. In stitches
Meaning: Laughing very hard.
Example Sentences:
- We were in stitches when he wore that silly wig!
- Her fashion mistake had everyone in stitches.
Other ways to say: Cracking up, laughing a lot
Fun Fact/Origin: Means laughing so much it hurts, like having stitches.
Usage: Used when something funny happens, often about clothes.
35. Cloak-and-dagger
Meaning: Secretive or mysterious.
Example Sentences:
- They had a cloak-and-dagger plan to change into costumes.
- The surprise party was planned in cloak-and-dagger style.
Other ways to say: Secret, hush-hush
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from old spy stories.
Usage: Used for secret plans, even about fashion surprises.
36. On a shoestring
Meaning: With very little money.
Example Sentences:
- She made her costume on a shoestring.
- We planned our fashion show on a shoestring budget.
Other ways to say: On a tight budget, low cost
Fun Fact/Origin: Shoestring is very thin—just like small budgets.
Usage: Used when something is done with little money.
37. Hat trick
Meaning: Doing three successful things in a row.
Example Sentences:
- He pulled off a fashion hat trick—great shirt, pants, and shoes!
- Her three stylish outfits in a week were a hat trick.
Other ways to say: Triple success, three wins
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from sports like hockey and cricket.
Usage: Used for any three good things, including fashion.
38. Knock your socks off
Meaning: To amaze or impress someone.
Example Sentences:
- Her dress will knock your socks off!
- His costume knocked our socks off at the show.
Other ways to say: Impress greatly, wow
Fun Fact/Origin: A fun way to show big surprise or amazement.
Usage: Used when fashion or style is very impressive.
39. Put on your thinking cap
Meaning: Get ready to think hard or solve a problem.
Example Sentences:
- We put on our thinking caps to design our fashion booth.
- Time to put on our thinking caps and choose outfits for the play.
Other ways to say: Think carefully, plan smart
Fun Fact/Origin: Used in schools to encourage thinking.
Usage: Can be used when planning fashion ideas too.
40. Wear many hats
Meaning: Do many different jobs or tasks.
Example Sentences:
- She wears many hats—designer, model, and photographer.
- At the fashion show, I wore many hats, from makeup to lights.
Other ways to say: Multitask, take on many roles
Fun Fact/Origin: Comes from people changing hats for each job.
Usage: Used when someone does many roles in fashion or life.
Quiz: Idioms About Fashion
Instructions: Read each question and the answer choices carefully. Pick the letter that best matches the meaning of the phrase or expression.
Question Key
1. What does “dressed to kill” mean?
A) Wearing scary clothes
B) Wearing something dirty
C) Wearing clothes that impress people
2. What does “hand-me-down” mean?
A) Clothes that are old and passed from someone else
B) Clothes made by a machine
C) Clothes you buy from a mall
3. If someone says “tighten your belt,” what do they mean?
A) Buy bigger pants
B) Save money and spend less
C) Eat fast food
4. What is a “fashion faux pas”?
A) A new fashion item
B) A fashion mistake
C) A perfect outfit
5. What does it mean if something “fits like a glove”?
A) It fits perfectly
B) It has gloves on it
C) It’s too small
6. If you are “all dolled up,” what are you doing?
A) Dressing in old clothes
B) Wearing fancy or party clothes
C) Playing with dolls
7. What does “throw on” mean when talking about clothes?
A) Throw your clothes in the trash
B) Take a long time to get dressed
C) Put on clothes quickly
8. If something is “all the rage,” what does that mean?
A) People are mad about it
B) It is very popular
C) It is too expensive
9. What are “the fashion police”?
A) Real police for clothes
B) People who tell others if their clothes don’t match
C) Tailors who sew clothes
10. What does “dress the part” mean?
A) Dress like a character or for an event
B) Wear parts of clothes
C) Wear sports gear
11. What does “on a shoestring” mean?
A) Something costs a lot of money
B) Something is done with very little money
C) Wearing only shoes
12. If someone “puts their best foot forward,” what are they trying to do?
A) Dance quickly
B) Make a good impression
C) Walk faster
13. What does “roll up your sleeves” mean?
A) Get ready to work hard
B) Get ready to play
C) Hide your arms
14. If you “wear your heart on your sleeve,” what are you showing?
A) Your fashion sense
B) Your favorite sports team
C) Your feelings
15. If someone “wears many hats,” what does that mean?
A) They love wearing hats
B) They do many different jobs or tasks
C) They work at a hat store
Answer Key
- C – Wearing clothes that impress people
- A – Clothes that are old and passed from someone else
- B – Save money and spend less
- B – A fashion mistake
- A – It fits perfectly
- B – Wearing fancy or party clothes
- C – Put on clothes quickly
- B – It is very popular
- B – People who tell others if their clothes don’t match
- A – Dress like a character or for an event
- B – Something is done with very little money
- B – Make a good impression
- A – Get ready to work hard
- C – Your feelings
- B – They do many different jobs or tasks
Wrapping Up
Fashion idioms help us talk about style in fun and clever ways. These phrases make our speech more colorful and interesting. Whether you’re dressing up for school, a play, or a party, idioms can describe how you look and feel.
Now that you know these 40 idioms, try using them in your writing or when talking with friends. It’s a great way to learn and have fun with language at the same time.
