Fashion terms decoded: a shopping glossary from shacket to potli

You know exactly what you want. You just don’t know what it’s called. This glossary gives each term a short, plain definition, so you can search for it, filter by it, and spot it in a product title. Bookmark it for the next time a Reel stumps you.

Why do fashion terms matter when you shop online?#

Online stores label products with these words, and their search and filters depend on them. Searching “jacket that looks like a shirt” gets you a mix of things. Searching “shacket” gets you shackets. The same goes for apps: FOUND describes each piece it finds in words like these, alongside its image search, to find closer products. You can read more in how outfit-finding AI works.

What do the words for tops and layers mean?#

Shacket

A shacket is a shirt-jacket: shaped like a button-up shirt but made from heavier fabric, worn open as a light layer or buttoned as a top.

Overshirt

An overshirt is a slightly roomy, sturdy shirt designed to be worn over a T-shirt or another top, much like a shacket.

Co-ord set

A co-ord set (short for coordinated set) is a top and a bottom made in the same fabric or print and sold together to be worn as one outfit.

Crop top

A crop top is a top cut short so it ends above the natural waist.

Boxy fit

A boxy fit is a straight, square shape that falls from the shoulders without narrowing at the waist, often slightly cropped.

Oversized

Oversized clothing is cut deliberately larger than your usual size for a loose, relaxed look; you don’t need to size up.

Drop shoulder

A drop shoulder is a seam that sits below the edge of your shoulder, on the upper arm, giving a relaxed, slouchy shape.

Mandarin collar

A mandarin collar is a short, stand-up collar that doesn’t fold over, common on kurtas, shirts and Nehru jackets.

Nehru jacket

A Nehru jacket is a sleeveless, hip-length jacket with a mandarin collar and a front button placket, worn over kurtas or shirts.

Bandhgala

A bandhgala is a closed-neck jacket or suit with a high collar that buttons up to the neck, a formal Indian menswear staple.

Peplum

A peplum is a short flared ruffle or panel attached at the waist of a top or kurta.

What do the words for jeans, trousers and fits mean?#

Rise (high-rise, mid-rise, low-rise)

The rise is the distance from the crotch seam to the waistband. High-rise sits at or above your natural waist, mid-rise sits just below it, and low-rise sits on the hips.

Wide-leg

Wide-leg trousers or jeans are roomy from the hip all the way to the hem.

Straight fit

A straight fit keeps the same width from the knee down to the ankle.

Bootcut

Bootcut trousers are fitted through the thigh and flare slightly from the knee, originally to fit over boots.

Mom jeans

Mom jeans are high-rise jeans that are relaxed through the hips and thighs and taper towards the ankle, a shape popular in the late 1980s and 1990s.

Cargo pants

Cargo pants are loose trousers with large patch pockets on the sides of the thighs, often with flaps.

Parachute pants

Parachute pants are very loose trousers in a light, often crinkly fabric, usually gathered with a drawstring or elastic at the ankle.

Palazzo

Palazzo pants are very wide, flowing trousers that fall straight from the waist, popular with kurtas and as summer wear.

Chinos

Chinos are light cotton twill trousers with a smart-casual look, sitting between jeans and formal trousers.

What do the words for dresses mean?#

A-line

An A-line dress or skirt is fitted at the top and widens gradually towards the hem, like the letter A.

Bodycon

A bodycon (body-conscious) dress is close-fitting and usually made from stretch fabric.

Slip dress

A slip dress is a simple dress with thin straps, usually cut in a silky fabric like satin.

Wrap dress

A wrap dress closes by wrapping one side across the other and tying at the waist, creating a V-neck.

Mini, midi and maxi

These describe length: a mini ends above the knee, a midi falls between the knee and ankle, and a maxi reaches the ankle or floor.

What do ethnic wear terms mean?#

Kurta set

A kurta set is a kurta sold together with matching bottoms, such as pants, palazzos or a churidar, and often a dupatta.

Anarkali

An anarkali is a long, frock-style kurta that is fitted at the bodice and flares out from the waist.

Churidar

A churidar is a fitted bottom that is cut longer than the leg, so it gathers in soft folds at the ankle.

Sharara

A sharara is a pair of wide, flared trousers that falls like a skirt, worn with a short kurta.

Gharara

A gharara is fitted down to the knee and then flares out sharply, usually with a decorative band at the knee.

Lehenga

A lehenga is a long, flared skirt worn with a blouse called a choli and a dupatta, popular for weddings and festivals.

Dupatta

A dupatta is a long scarf or stole worn with kurtas, salwar suits and lehengas.

Chikankari

Chikankari is a delicate hand-embroidery style associated with Lucknow, traditionally white thread on light fabrics.

Bandhani

Bandhani is a tie-dye technique, associated with Gujarat and Rajasthan, in which tiny sections of fabric are tied before dyeing to make dotted patterns.

What do footwear terms mean?#

Juttis

Juttis are flat, closed-toe slip-on shoes, traditionally made of leather and often embroidered, associated with Punjab and North India.

Kolhapuris

Kolhapuris are open-toe, flat leather sandals with a toe loop and woven straps, named after Kolhapur in Maharashtra.

Mojaris

Mojaris are closely related to juttis: flat, closed slip-ons, often with an upturned toe.

Loafers

Loafers are laceless slip-on shoes with a low heel, smarter than sneakers.

Mules

Mules are backless shoes or sandals that cover the front of the foot.

Chunky sneakers

Chunky sneakers have thick, oversized soles that make them look bulky on purpose.

Block heels

Block heels are wide, solid heels that are easier to walk in than thin stilettos.

What do bag and accessory terms mean?#

Sling bag

A sling bag is a small bag on a long strap, worn across the body or over one shoulder.

Tote

A tote is a large, open-topped bag with two parallel handles, built to carry a lot.

Potli

A potli is a small pouch bag that closes with a drawstring, often embellished and carried with ethnic wear.

Baguette bag

A baguette bag is a small, long and narrow shoulder bag with a short strap, worn tucked under the arm.

Jhumkas

Jhumkas are bell-shaped drop earrings, common with ethnic wear.

What do common fabric words mean?#

Linen

Linen is a breathable fabric made from flax that creases easily, popular for hot weather.

Rayon

Rayon (also sold as viscose) is a soft, drapey fabric made from processed wood pulp, common in kurtas and dresses.

Georgette

Georgette is a light, slightly grainy, flowing fabric, used for sarees, dupattas and dresses.

Organza

Organza is a thin, sheer and crisp fabric that holds its shape, used for dupattas, sleeves and festive wear.

Modal

Modal is a very soft, smooth fabric related to rayon, often used for T-shirts and loungewear.

How do you use these words to search better?#

Stack them. One term narrows results; three terms get you close. Use this pattern: colour + fabric + cut + item. For example:

• “white linen drop-shoulder shacket”
• “black high-rise wide-leg jeans”
• “pastel georgette anarkali kurta set”
• “tan leather kolhapuris”

Then check the shape, fabric and details against what you saw. Our guide to Likely match, Very similar and Similar has a checklist for that, and shop the look on a budget shows how to use these terms to find affordable alternatives.

The short version#

Knowing what a piece is called is half the search. Use this glossary to name it, then combine the words to search. Or skip the guesswork: FOUND identifies each piece in a Reel, from shackets to sharara sets, and finds products from Indian stores. Get FOUND on Google Play.