Different Fashion Styles

9 Categories of Fashion

Understanding the different categories of styles is a skill that demands up-to-date knowledge and motivation.

• HAUTE (high fashion)

This category includes the very chic, one-of-a-kind, custom-made and designer’s collection.

Colors: Unusual and rare

Lines: Unusually layered, fitted to suit, very specific individual taste

Textures: Unusual and rare materials

Effect: One-of-a-kind, leader, very unique, tres chic 

Needs: Custom-made, designer’s originals, very expensive

Favorite Accessory: Coordinated matching and custom made pieces

NOTE: Notice the unusual layers, unique and one-of-a-kind designs. 

• ELEGANT

This style includes expensive designer reproduction, but should not be misunderstood as “Haute” or high fashion.

Colors: Unusual, muted solid colors (gray, black, and white)

Lines: Mostly uncomplicated and well fitted (Chanel type)

Textures: Fine fabrics, usually expensive materials

Effects: Very refined, status and executive-looking

Needs: Semi custom-made or altered to fit

Favorite Accessory: coordinated and matching real gold and diamond accessories

NOTE: Notice the emphasis on the uncomplicated, well-fitted status look.

• DRAMATIC (theatrical)

This style creates a glamorous and glitzy impact.

Colors: Strong, vivid, and contrasting (black is a favorite color)

Lines: Severe, sharp, and usually asymmetrical. Bold and often overwhelmingly fitted with open slits

Textures: Rare and trendy

Effects: Confident, chic, sexy, and catchy

Needs: Custom-made or altered to fit

Favorite Accessory: Bold statement usually metallic (gold, silver, bronzes, etc)

NOTE: Notice the fit, its impact, and its open slits. Sometimes open-back designs or see-through materials are used. You’ll when you see one.

• CLASSIC

This style includes Town & Country or the emphasis of business and corporate look.

Colors: Beige, navy, red, blue, and black

Lines: Simple and traditional trim

Textures: Durable and natural fibers

Effects: Typical leader, practical, conservative

Needs: Clothes that have a timeless appeal year after year, expensive

Favorite Accessory: Traditional and conservative shapes

NOTE: Notice the timeless appeal of the design. A very good example is the collection of Chanel.

• CONSERVATIVE(feminine/demure)

This category includes traditional old-fashioned, but should not be misunderstood as a classic because of its girlish features.

Colors: Pastel, soft blends, muted rainbows

Lines: Simple flows, rounded curves and semi-fitted

Textures: Light, flowing, lace, usually an old-fashioned small print

Effects: Fragile, soft, charming, innocent, and very feminine

Needs: Gentle, very delicate — price not an issue

Favorite Accessory: Very simple real gold and diamond accessories

NOTE: Notice the simple accessories, their color, and angular lines.

• WESTERN (country)

The opposite of conservative. Clothes are reduced from the feminine emphasis.

Colors: Earth tones are favorites

Lines: Durable, simple, easy, and comfortable

Textures: Natural fibers, basic denim, thick and old-fashioned

Effects: Tough, strong, sometimes western

Needs: Durability, mobility, and price are not an issue

Favorite Accessory: Big water-resistant watch, leather boots, and thick belt

NOTE: Notice the emphasis on earth tone colors.

• CASUAL

This category includes denim, feeling at home, sometimes western.

Colors: Any, color is not an issue (brights, pastels, earth tones)

Lines: Unstructured, simple, and easy

Textures: Popular (natural, blend, or synthetic fibers)

Effects: Easy-going, athletic, unpretentious, and simple

Needs: Easy care, home atmosphere, and comfortable

Favorite Accessory: Cloth bag, basic, simple accessories, including disposables

NOTE: Notice the easy-going features and simple lines.

• GRUNGE

The category was made popular during the early 90s. It creates an emphasis of younger generations, exaggerated constructions, separates, and coordinates.

Colors: Could be anything

Lines: Unstructured sometimes exaggerated and unusual

Textures: Popular (natural, blend, or synthetic fibers), knits

Effects: Youthful, confident but sometimes impractical. Most designs die quickly

Needs:  Easy pieces, but sometimes wild and usually inexpensive

Favorite Accessory: All kinds, real or fakes, inexpensive accessories including disposables

NOTE: Notice the exaggerated lines, sometimes out-of-this-world. Different styles were popularized by Madonna and Cindy Lauper in the 80s. Very artistic and sometimes unexplainable designs. 

• FUTURISTIC

This category did not really make it outside the Star Trek epoch and may have gone during the dot-com era. The category emphasizes the look of the electronic and the computer age. The design concept is based on galactic or extra-terrestrial-inspired clothing.

Colors: Strong metallic (gold, silver, etc.), vivid, and contrasting

Lines: Angular, sharp, and usually asymmetrical

Textures: Hard, unusually bold, and often overwhelmingly round or square

Effects: Impractical to our present times, unique accessories or trim

Needs: Bold statement, extra-ordinary accessories, usually expensive

Favorite Accessory: Bold geometric accessories (rings, earrings, including bags)

NOTE: Notice the unique accessories, their sharp and angular lines. Shoes with flashing red lights are examples of this style.