Fakes are never in fashion, but apparently fake fashion words are. Fashion hybrid words--words that combine to describe two dissimilar fashion products--are flowing into mainstream use, from the original hybrid, the "skort" (skirts with built-in shorts), to fashion’s current obsession, "jeggings" or "treggings," which are essentially leggings that look like jeans or trousers (kind of, not really).
If you love fashion and you love words, maybe this trend won’t annoy you. You might have already started calling your ankle boots "shooties" or your jean shorts "jorts." But then again, referring to your harem shorts as "spants" (hybrid of "skirt" and "pants") may just be pushing the limit.
At any rate, as fall approaches, you’ll most likely be hearing the terms "swacket" and "shacket"--the former is a cross between a sweater and jacket; the latter a shirt and jacket--thrown around (much too carelessly, methinks) by mass clothing retailers and magazines. Oh, and let’s not forget those "glittens"! You’ll need these special mittens--the kind that roll back to reveal gloved fingers--come winter.
Perhaps the style mavens out there are getting lazy, or retailers are hoping to boost sales by imposing novelty on otherwise un-novel items. Or maybe, just maybe, it’s articles like this that spread the unwanted use of such unnecessary terms.
In that case, forget everything I just said.
Hybrid Fashion Jargon
Fake Fashion Terms, From "Jeggings" to "Jorts"
Trend Themes
1. Hybrid Fashion Jargon - The trend of combining different fashion items into one word presents an opportunity for fashion retailers to create new hybrid items that are both unique and marketable.
2. Novelty Fashion Naming - The rise of new fashion words presents an opportunity for retailers to offer novelty fashion items with unique branding and marketing strategies.
3. Comfortable Fashion - The popularity of hybrid fashion items like jeggings and swackets reflects a growing demand for comfortable yet stylish clothing, presenting an opportunity for retailers to prioritize both comfort and aesthetics in their fashion offerings.
Industry Implications
1. Fashion and Apparel - Fashion and apparel retailers can leverage the trend of hybrid fashion jargon to innovate and create unique, marketable products that cater to customers' desire for novelty and comfort.
2. Marketing and Advertising - Marketing and advertising agencies can work with fashion retailers to create compelling brand narratives and campaigns around newly coined fashion hybrid words, creating buzz and driving sales.
3. Media and Publishing - Media and publishing companies can capitalize on the trend of hybrid fashion jargon by incorporating newly coined words into their fashion coverage, creating engaging content for readers and potentially driving advertising revenue.