Term

Definition

Brand Speak

A linguistic strategy used by brands to communicate their identity, values, and image to consumers, often using persuasive language that appeals to emotions and ideals.

Buzzwords

Trendy words or phrases that catch the attention of consumers and are widely used in marketing campaigns, often related to new fashion trends, sustainability efforts, or social movements.

Chic Euphemisms

Words that soften the appearance of a low-cost, mainstream fashion product by describing it as 'chic', 'stylish', or 'on-trend', making it more desirable despite its origins in mass production.

Consumer Empowerment Language

Linguistic strategies used in sustainable fashion marketing to promote consumer responsibility and awareness, often using terms like 'conscious consumption' or 'ethical choices'.

Eco-Conscious Vernacular

A language style used by eco-friendly fashion brands to communicate their commitment to sustainability, often incorporating terms like 'zero waste', 'carbon neutral', or 'biodegradable'.

Eco-Fashion Terminology

A set of terms used to define fashion that adheres to sustainable principles, such as 'eco-fashion', 'upcycling', 'green fashion', and 'ethical production'.

Emotional Branding Language

A type of branding language that appeals to consumer emotions, such as terms like 'empowerment', 'freedom', or 'confidence', commonly used in marketing campaigns.

Ethical Fashion Terminology

Terms used to describe fashion practices that align with ethical principles, such as 'fair trade', 'eco-friendly', 'artisan-made', and 'transparency'.

Exclusivity Language

Terms that imply limited availability or uniqueness, such as 'limited edition', 'one-of-a-kind', or 'rare', often used in high-end fashion marketing.

Fabric Softener Euphemism

A euphemism used in advertising or marketing that masks the use of non-eco-friendly chemicals in textile production or care by calling them 'gentle', 'luxurious', or 'soft'.

Fashion Dialect

Distinct variations of fashion-related language spoken by particular groups or communities, such as terms used within specific fashion cities like Paris or Milan.

Fashion Euphemisms

Words or phrases that are used to soften or obscure potentially negative or controversial aspects of fashion, such as 'pre-loved' for secondhand clothing or 'sustainable' for greenwashed products.

Fashion Identity Language

Terms that reflect the personal and cultural identity of consumers, such as 'boho chic', 'minimalist', or 'athleisure', which describe particular fashion aesthetics and lifestyles.

Fashion Jargon

Specialized language used within the fashion industry to describe trends, processes, and materials, often inaccessible to the general public but crucial for industry professionals.

Fashion Linguistics

The study of how language and communication are used in fashion, including terminology, branding, advertising, and the social meanings of fashion-related words.

Fashion Metaphors

Metaphorical expressions used in fashion language to represent deeper meanings, such as comparing a color to a mood or a fabric to a feeling, often seen in marketing campaigns.

Fashion Narratives

The stories or frameworks built around fashion items, collections, or brands to communicate their significance, often shaping consumer perceptions of value or status.

Fashion Slang

Informal, colloquial terms used to describe fashion trends, items, or attitudes, such as 'streetwear', 'drip', or 'fit', which are often shaped by youth subcultures.

Fast Fashion Euphemisms

Words or phrases used to describe fast fashion in a way that downplays the environmental and social costs, such as 'affordable style' or 'on-demand fashion'.

Faux-Positivity

Language used in fashion advertising or branding that gives an illusion of positive impact without substantial changes, such as calling a collection 'sustainable' without clear evidence of ethical practices.

Glorification of Consumption

A linguistic strategy used in marketing that celebrates and encourages overconsumption of fashion products, often seen in fast fashion advertising, which may use terms like 'must-have' or 'limited edition'.

Green Rhetoric

The use of rhetorical devices in fashion marketing to persuade consumers that a product is environmentally friendly, often involving buzzwords like 'sustainable', 'organic', or 'natural'.

Greenwashing Euphemisms

Euphemisms used by brands to convey environmental friendliness while failing to make meaningful sustainable changes, like 'eco-conscious' or 'natural fabric' without proper certifications.

Hyperbole in Fashion Advertising

The use of exaggerated language in marketing to attract attention, such as calling a garment 'the ultimate must-have' or 'the most revolutionary piece'.

Luxury Branding Language

The specific language used in luxury fashion marketing that conveys exclusivity, prestige, and high value, often incorporating terms like 'timeless', 'bespoke', or 'heritage'.

Luxury Fashion Euphemisms

Words used in the luxury fashion industry to elevate the perceived value of a product or service, such as 'artisanal', 'curated', or 'tailored'.

Marketing Spin

A form of communication that twists facts or uses language to make a fashion product or brand appear more ethical, sustainable, or luxurious than it may actually be.

Pop-Culture Fashion Terms

Words or phrases popularized by pop culture that influence fashion trends, such as 'vintage', 'retro', or 'normcore', often used in marketing to tap into nostalgia or social movements.

Post-Consumer Language

Terms that describe the life of products after they are used by consumers, including 'recycled', 'upcycled', 'vintage', or 'second-hand'.

Rebranding Euphemisms

Linguistic strategies used by companies to present a shift in business strategy or product identity, often through new marketing terms like 'reimagined' or 'next-gen'.

Semantic Saturation

A phenomenon where a word or phrase becomes overused and loses its meaning, often seen in the fashion industry when terms like sustainable" or "ethical" are applied too broadly or without context."

Style Lexicon

A collection of terms and expressions used to describe various styles, silhouettes, fabrics, and fashion-related phenomena, often tied to cultural and social meanings.

Subculture Lexicon

The specialized language used by fashion subcultures (e.g., punk, goth, hip-hop) to communicate identity, style, and values, often with words that distinguish them from mainstream fashion.

Sustainability Buzzwords

Words that are often overused in the context of sustainable fashion but lack substantial evidence or meaning, like 'green', 'organic', or 'ethical', frequently used without proper certification or action.

Visual Rhetoric

The use of visual elements (like clothing and accessories) in advertising and branding to communicate a particular message or emotional appeal, often influencing fashion consumption decisions.