The Ultimate Glossary of Fashion Terms
If you work in fashion design, manufacturing or marketing, you’ve probably come across a flood of abbreviations and fashion acronyms. From design meetings to factory emails, fashion has its own shorthand—and it can be confusing. Fashion speak is real and it can be very confusing if you don’t understand the specialised vocabulary.
This guide covers over 100 fashion acronyms, fashion abbreviations and industry terms used daily in the fashion business. Whether you’re a student, a startup brand founder, or a seasoned designer, this fashion glossary is your go-to reference.
If you find or know any that aren’t listed here let me know please [email protected]
As a Freelance Fashion Designer with over 20 years of experience, I know how important it is to understand fashion acronyms, abbreviations, and terminology. Having worked with major brands like Puma, Adidas, and Umbro, I’ve seen firsthand how these terms pop up regularly in design, production, and communication. I thought it would be helpful to compile a list of common fashion acronyms for young designers and fashion professionals. If you need expert fashion design services, feel free to contact me.
Why Learn Fashion Acronyms?
Fashion is fast-moving. Clear communication is essential when you’re dealing with suppliers, clients or creative teams. Knowing these acronyms can:
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Speed up sampling and production
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Avoid costly mistakes
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Improve confidence in professional settings
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Help you work better with freelancers or manufacturers
Here is the comprehensive list of fashion acronyms, abbreviations, and terminology that you will frequently encounter in the fashion industry. Written in UK English (US and global spellings of certain words may vary). Please note that some abbreviations can have more than one meaning depending on context.
Fashion Acronyms and Abbreviations
AOP – All Over Print. A print that covers an entire panel or entire garment. Normally, the print repeats and often the entire length of fabric will be printed.
ASAP – As Soon As Possible. Not really a fashion term, but commonly used in communication within the industry.
AW or A/W- Autumn Winter.
AWB – Airwaybill. A receipt issued by an international airline for goods.
B2B – Business to Business. A type of commercial transaction where one business sells products or services to another business.
B2C – Business to Consumer. A business model where companies sell products or services directly to individual end-users, often referring to selling online or through social media.
BND – Back Neck Drop. The measurement from the HSP (High Shoulder Point) to the lowest point at the edge of the back neckline.
BNL – Back Neck Label. A label sewn inside the back neck.
BNT – Back Neck Tape. A tape sewn inside the back neck at the collar.
BOM – Bill of Materials. A document itemising everything needed to create the finished garment.
BULK – Not an acronym. Refers to starting the main order production after the sampling phase is complete.
CAD – Computer-Aided Design. A digital design or drawing of a garment created using CAD software.
C&S – Cut and Sew. Pieces of fabric sewn together to create a garment, often including paneling.
CB – Centre Back. The vertical measurement from the middle of the back, dividing the left and right sides.
CC – Colour Card or Colour Chart. A reference for fabric colours.
CF – Centre Front. The vertical measurement from the middle of the front of the garment.
CIF – Cost, Insurance, and Freight. The seller is responsible for delivering goods on board the vessel; from then on, the buyer assumes liability.
CMT – Cut, Make, Trim. The process where a factory receives patterns and fabric to create the garment.
CNST – Chainstitch. A type of sewing stitch
CNY – Chinese New Year. A holiday period in China when manufacturing often halts.
COO – Country of Origin. The place where the product originated.
CS – Coverstitch. A type of sewing stitch
CW – Cuttable Width. The usable width of fabric excluding the selvedge.
DC – Distribution Centre/Warehouse. A specialized facility, essentially a warehouse, designed to store, process, and redistribute goods quickly and efficiently
DL – Deskloom. A sample length of fabric used to check colours and patterns.
DNTS – Double Needle Topstitch. A type of sewing stitch
DTC – Direct to Consumer. The same as B2C, selling direct to consumer online.
DTM – Dyed To Match. A term often used in tech packs indicating that a component (such as a zipper tape) should match the fabric’s colour.
EGST – Edgestitch. A type of sewing stitch
EOD – End of Day. A common deadline used in fashion timelines.
ETA – Estimated Time of Arrival. The expected arrival time for shipments.
ETD – Estimated Time of Departure. The expected departure time for shipments.
FBA – Fulfillment by Amazon. A service where Amazon handles storage, packaging, and shipping of your products.
FDS – Fabric Detail Sheet. A detailed description of the fabric used in the garment.
FH – Fall Holiday. The American Xmas period
FND – Front Neck Drop. The measurement from the HSP to the lowest point at the edge of the front neckline.
FOB – Free On Board. A term indicating that the seller covers the cost of shipping to a specific point (e.g., a port), and the buyer assumes responsibility from that point forward.
FPT – Fabric Performance Test. A mandatory test report on fabrics that can be requested for approval.
FTD – Fabric Technical Data. A breakdown of the fabric’s composition, technical properties, and specifications.
FTY – A lazy way of writing factory.
FW – Full Width. The entire unfolded width of a piece of fabric.
FW 0r F/W – Fall Winter. the American version of A/W. Fall being the Autumn Season, also referred to as the Fall Holiday Season
FZ – Full Zip. A Zip usually on the front of a garment that runs all the way from top to bottom.
GG – Gague. Often used in knitwear, it refers to the number of stitches in a row and how tightly they are knitted.
GPT – Garment Performance Test. A mandatory test report on garments that can be requested for approval.
GSM – Grams per Square Metre. A term used in textiles to measure the weight of a fabric.
GTM – Go to Market. A strategy for introducing a product into the market.
HKG – Hong Kong. An important destination for fashion and manufacturing, often serving as a gateway to China.
HSP – High Shoulder Point. The point at the top of your shoulder where it meets the neck.
HZ – Half Zip. Used to refer to a garment that opens from the top to half way down the body.
LD – Lab Dip. A sample of the fabric dyed to your requirements for approval.
IMU – Initial Mark Up. The percentage difference between the cost of a product and its initial selling price.
LHSAW – Left-Hand Side As Worn. Refers to the left side of a garment when worn.
LS – Long Sleeve. A type of garment with sleeves that cover the arms completely.
LS – Lockstitch. A type of sewing stitch
MCQ – Minimum Colour Quantities. Similar to MOQ, this splits down the minimum quantity needed to place with a factory per colourway.
MMENT – Short for measurement. As in the distance between two fixed points.
MMU – Maintained Mark Up. Represents the actual profit a retailer makes on a product, considering all sales and markdowns.
MOQ – Minimum Order Quantity. A factory term for the least amount of an item they will produce.
MSRP – Manufacturers suggested retail price. It’s the price a product’s manufacturer recommends retailers sell it for at the point of sale.
NSA – No Seam Allowance. This measurement doesn’t include allowance for stitching.
OOO – Out of Office. A common term used to let others know you’re unavailable.
OOS – Out of Stock. Refers to an item that is no longer available.
OPD – Order Placement Date. The date orders need to be placed to meet the expected delivery date.
OTB – Open to Buy. A financial budget for merchandise buyers.
PJs – Pyjamas.
PO – Purchase Order. A commercial document and official offer issued by a Buyer to a Vendor indicating types, quantities, and agreed prices for products or services.
POM – Point of Measure. A point where a measurement starts and finishes in the garment.
POS – Point of Sale. The physical location or digital platform where a sale is made and payment is processed.
PP or PPS – Pre-production Sample. A sample made with actual fabric and trims that represents the final garment.
PPI – Picks Per Inch. The number of weft threads per inch of woven fabric.
QA – Quality Assurance The maintenance of a desired level of quality in a service or product, especially by means of attention to every stage of the process of delivery or production.
QC – Quality Control. A process by which entities review the quality of all factors involved in production.
QTY – A quick way of writing quantity.
QZ – Quarter Zip. A zip that runs from the top of the garment until a quarter of a way down the body.
R&D – Research and Development.
RAS – Risk Appetite Statements. Statements outlining risk levels within an organisation.
RFD – Ready For Dyeing. It refers to fabrics that have been prepared for dyeing by processes like scouring and bleaching, removing impurities and sizing agents to ensure proper dye absorption.
RHSAW – Right-Hand Side As Worn. Refers to the right side of a garment when worn.
RPT – Repeat. Typically used when referring to a graphic print that repeats.
RRP – Recommended retail price. The price a manufacturer suggests that retailers sell a product for.
SKU – Stock Keeping Unit. Used to organise inventory in a fashion collection, usually broken down into each piece and each colourway for that piece.
SMS – Salesman Sample. A scaled-down version of a product used to demonstrate features to retailers or potential customers.
SNTS – Single Needle Topstitch. A type of sewing stitch
SO – Sample Order. A sample ordered from the factory. Or it can also mean…
SO – Strike-Off. A sample of a print or fabric provided by the factory for approval before proceeding with production.
SPEC – Technical Specification Document. A spec sheet detailing all the measurements and other technical aspects of a garment.
SPI – Stitches Per Inch. The number of stitches per inch used in a sewing machine.
SRP – Suggested Retail Price. Like RRP, the price a manufacturer suggests that retailers sell a product for.
SPM – Stitches Per Minute. The number of stitches a sewing machine can make per minute.
SS – Side Seam. The vertical measurement running down the side of the garment, from the underarm to the hem.
SS – Size Set. A complete set of samples in all the different sizes.
SS – Short Sleeve. A type of garment with sleeves that stop above the elbow.
SS – Sleep Set. Usually referring to a full set of Pj’s including top and bottom garments.
SS or S/S – Spring Summer.
TBA – To Be Advised. Often used on tech packs when certain details are yet to be defined.
TNA – Time and Action. A calendar tracking key milestones of a collection from conception to delivery.
TOD – Time of Delivery. The scheduled time when goods are expected to be delivered.
TP – Tech Pack. A comprehensive document that includes all the design details of a garment.
TPST – Topstitch. A type of sewing stitch
US – Understitch. A type of sewing stitch
WB – Waistband
WC – Week Commencing. The week in which certain tasks or deadlines are expected to begin.
WH – Warehouse. A place where goods are stored before distribution.
XFD – Ex-Factory Date. The date by which the supplier needs to have the shipment ready for shipping from the factory.
YTD – Yarn Technical Data. A breakdown of yarn specifications.
FAQs
Q: What are the most useful fashion acronyms for beginners?
A: Start with CAD, MOQ, Tech Pack, CMT, and PP Sample. These are used daily across design and production.
Q: Do factories expect you to know these terms?
A: Yes—especially if you’re sending tech packs or discussing production. Knowing the lingo shows professionalism and saves time.
Q: How can I learn more about fashion development?
A: Explore my fashion startup resources or book a call for one-to-one advice.
Final Thoughts
This glossary of fashion acronyms and abbreviations is a vital tool for navigating the fashion industry. Whether you’re deep in sampling or just launching your first collection, knowing these terms helps you speak the same language as factories, designers and buyers.
Bookmark this page. Share it with your team. And if you’re stuck trying to understand production emails or tech packs—drop me a message.
Need Help Turning Your Ideas into a Collection?
I’m Jonathan Mitchell, a freelance fashion designer with over 20 years of experience working with global brands and startups alike. I help clients design, develop and manufacture fashion collections across activewear, streetwear and sustainable fashion. From CADs and tech packs to sourcing and sampling, I offer expert fashion design services to bring your ideas to life.
🔗 Learn more at www.jmitchelldesign.co.uk
📌 Explore projects and insights at JMD x Fashion Consultancy
I hope this guide helps you navigate the world of fashion acronyms! If you come across any terms I missed or have questions about any of these abbreviations, feel free to leave a comment.
For more information about my fashion design services, including CADs, tech packs, and trend analysis, please contact me or visit my website to learn more about how I can assist with your design needs.
Here is the original post on LinkedIn about fashion acronyms and terms that you may find useful. You can check it out here.
