C116 words · Advanced

Shopping vocabulary — C1

Shopping vocabulary for retail from behind the counter, including bespoke, alterations, fulfilment and counterfeit — words for how clothes are made, sold, shipped and sometimes faked.

16 questions

Words in this set

bespoke
/bʊˈspoʊk/
Made specially for one customer, to their own measurements.
Example: He saved for years for a bespoke suit from a tailor.
alterations
/ˌɔltərˈeɪʃənz/
Small changes made to clothing so that it fits you properly.
Example: The trousers were too long, so I paid for alterations.
hem
/hɛm/
The bottom edge of a skirt or trousers, folded under and sewn.
Example: The hem of these trousers needs taking up a bit.
garment
/ˈɡɑrmənt/
A formal word for a single piece of clothing.
Example: Each garment is checked carefully before it's sold.
seamstress
/ˈsimstrɪs/
A woman whose job is to sew and make clothes.
Example: A local seamstress took in the waist of the dress.
drape
/dreɪp/
To hang or fall in loose, graceful folds.
Example: The silk draped beautifully over her shoulders.
embellish
/ɪmˈbɛlɪʃ/
To decorate something by adding extra details, such as beads or embroidery.
Example: The dress was embellished with tiny pearls.
sustainable
/səˈsteɪnəbəl/
Produced in a way that does not damage the environment for future use.
Example: More brands are moving towards sustainable fashion.
couture
/kuˈtʊr/
The design and making of expensive, fashionable clothes, often made to order.
Example: The gown was a piece of French couture.
silhouette
/ˌsɪləˈwɛt/
The overall shape and outline of a piece of clothing or a person's body in it.
Example: The coat has a slim, elegant silhouette.
dispatch
/dɪˈspætʃ/
To send goods off from a warehouse to the person who bought them.
Example: Your order will be dispatched within two working days.
counterfeit
/ˈkaʊntərˌfɪt/
Made as an illegal copy of a well-known brand and sold as the real thing.
Example: The trainers turned out to be counterfeit, so I reported the seller.
fulfilment
The process of receiving, packing and sending out an order.
Example: Fulfilment delays meant my parcel arrived late.
algorithm
/ˈælɡərˌɪðəm/
A set of rules a computer follows to decide something, such as what to recommend.
Example: An algorithm decides which products appear first.
curated
/kjʊˈreɪtɪd/
Carefully chosen and put together, rather than randomly selected.
Example: The homepage shows a curated selection of new arrivals.
reimburse
/ˌriɪmˈbɜrs/
To pay someone back money they have spent on your behalf.
Example: The company will reimburse you for any travel costs.