Meaning & use
high fashion
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Meanings
noununcountable
The most prestigious and expensive segment of the fashion industry, featuring exclusive designer clothing and accessories.
Grammar: Uncountable; used without 'a' or a plural form, e.g., 'She works in high fashion.'
Patterns
- in high fashion
- high fashion industry
- high fashion designer
She dreams of working in high fashion one day.
The event attracted stars from the world of high fashion.
High fashion often sets trends that later appear on the high street.
noununcountable
Clothing that is made by leading designers and is very expensive and stylish.
Grammar: Also uncountable; refers to the clothes themselves, not individual items.
Patterns
- wear high fashion
- high fashion clothes
- a high fashion look
Only a few can afford to wear high fashion.
The boutique sells high fashion from Paris and Milan.
Her wardrobe is full of high fashion pieces.
Common combinations
- high fashion industry
- The high fashion industry is known for its glamour and exclusivity.
- high fashion designer
- He is a high fashion designer who shows in Paris.
- world of high fashion
- She is a well-known figure in the world of high fashion.
- high fashion model
- The high fashion model walked the runway for several top brands.
Synonyms and how they differ
- haute couture
- This French term specifically refers to custom-made, high-end fashion; 'high fashion' is a broader English term.
- designer fashion
- This focuses on the brand name; 'high fashion' emphasizes the prestige and exclusivity.
Opposites
Word family
- fashion noun
- A popular trend or style, especially in clothing.
- fashionable adjective
- Following the latest fashion; stylish.
Commonly confused: high fashion or high street fashion?
high fashion vs high street fashion
'High street fashion' refers to affordable, mainstream clothing; 'high fashion' is exclusive and expensive.
Practice
Which sentence uses 'high fashion' correctly?
Choose one answer.
Option 1 correctly uses 'high fashion' as an uncountable noun after 'in'. Option 0 is wrong because 'high fashion' is not countable with 'a'. Option 2 is wrong because it is not used in the plural. Option 3 is wrong because it is not used for everyday shopping.
Make it your own
Write a sentence using “high fashion”, then check it and compare it with the examples above.