tailleurs

Meanings

1. 1nounplural

   A woman's suit, typically a jacket and skirt or trousers, cut in a simple tailored style.

   Grammar: Used as a plural noun borrowed from French; it usually appears in fashion writing rather than everyday speech.

   Patterns

   • wear tailleurs
   • a pair of tailleurs
   • designer tailleurs

   The boutique displayed a row of elegant tailleurs in navy and charcoal.

   She wore a tailored tailleur to the interview, which made her look both professional and stylish.

   In the 1950s, tailleurs were a staple of a working woman's wardrobe.

2. 2nounpluralrare

   The plural of tailleur, referring to a tailor or a style of tailoring in French-speaking contexts.

   Grammar: This is the French plural form; in English it is rare outside discussions of French fashion or tailoring.

   Patterns

   • les tailleurs
   • tailleurs de pierre

   The exhibition explained how Parisian tailleurs shaped mid-century fashion.

   In French, tailleurs can also mean stonecutters, which often surprises English speakers.

3. 3nounplural

   A style of women's clothing characterized by clean lines, structured shoulders, and minimal decoration.

   Grammar: Used in fashion criticism to describe a look or collection rather than a single garment.

   Patterns

   • the tailleur look
   • tailleur style
   • tailleur silhouette

   The designer's new collection revived the tailleur look with modern fabrics.

   Her tailleur style was praised for its simplicity and confidence.

Word forms

Common combinations

a tailored tailleur

She chose a tailored tailleur for the award ceremony.

a classic tailleur

A classic tailleur never goes out of fashion.

wear a tailleur

Many women prefer to wear a tailleur to important meetings.

designer tailleur

The actress arrived in a designer tailleur by a famous couturier.

tailleur suit

The tailleur suit became popular in the 1960s.

Synonyms and how they differ

suit

A general word for a matching jacket and trousers or skirt; tailleur specifically suggests a woman's tailored suit with French fashion associations.

costume

In British English, costume can mean a woman's suit, but it is old-fashioned and less specific than tailleur.

ensemble

A more general fashion term for a coordinated outfit, not necessarily a suit.

Word family

tailor noun

A person who makes or alters clothes, especially suits.

tailored adjective

Made to fit closely and neatly, like a tailor-made garment.

tailoring noun

The craft or style of making clothes, especially suits.

Commonly confused: tailleurs or tailor?

Practice

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