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About This Quiz
Picture it — Paris, France, 1858. An English fashion designer named Charles Frederick Worth decided to show his clients a selection of designs he had recently created. He called it a "collection," and he surprised his guests by presenting the garments on real, live people instead of mannequins. Many fashion historians consider this to be the first bona fide fashion show.
Fast forward to 1944, when Ruth Finley, an American businesswoman and pal of the famous fashion publicist Eleanor Lambert, created what she called the Fashion Calendar — a weekly, subscription-based publication that listed addresses and contact information for fashion shows in New York City and abroad. This enabled buyers, designers, manufacturers and other key players in the industry to come together at specific events. And, fun fact: the Fashion Calendar still exists online today and is used as a source for tracking runway shows and events during New York Fashion Week.
By the mid-1970s, designers were showcasing their collections in the U.S. twice a year, and soon cities like London and Milan followed suit. Today, bi-annual Fashion Weeks are held every year in the "Big Four" fashion capitals of the world — New York, London, Milan and Paris.
If you're Fashion Week obsessed, consider this quiz the ultimate IQ test. It's packed with questions about the world of fashion, from famous designers and memorable moments in history to hot trends and insider terminology. Can you get a perfect score?
Threads
Duds
Apparel
In addition to clothing, retail apparel typically includes shoes, hats, handbags, luggage and other accessories. The term comes from the French word “apareillier,” which refers to the act of preparing, getting ready or getting dressed.
Duds
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Catwalk
According to the Online Etymology Dictionary, the term "catwalk" dates back to the late 19th century and refers to a narrow passageway that one has to walk across carefully, as a cat would. The term became associated with fashion show runways in the 1940s.
Glamwalk
Strut stage
Modelwalk
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Suspenders
Stirrup
Belt
Belts are believed to date all the way back to the Bronze Age. Originally used to carry tools or weapons, they've become a statement-making fashion accessory in addition to a helpful wardrobe staple.
Scarf
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Trailblazer
Innovator
Trendsetter
The term "trend" comes from an old Germanic word that refers to something that's turning, revolving or rotating. Trendsetters are also sometimes referred to as tastemakers or influencers.
Pacesetter
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Trick
Sensation
Fad
Fashion fads come and go quickly and almost always seem ridiculous in hindsight. Some memorable fads from the '80s and '90s include shoulder pads, leg warmers, stirrup stretch pants and fingerless gloves.
Blip
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A scarf
A shoe
A hat
A fedora is a hat that features a soft, wide brim and an indented crown. Originally intended for men, it became a common fashion accessory for women in the 1880s when it was popularized by French stage actress Sarah Bernhardt.
A hairstyle
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Athleisure
Also known as activewear, athleisure has soared in popularity in recent years, thanks to the rise of wellness influencers and comfortable, colorful brands such as Fabletics and Lululemon. Yoga pants, anyone?
Casualwear
Yogawear
Gymstyle
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Lengthy blue denim
Large black dress
Little blue dress
Little black dress
The concept of the LBD can be traced back to the 1920s, when American Vogue featured a short black dress by Coco Chanel and described it as “a sort of uniform for all women of taste." Actress Audrey Hepburn further boosted the LBD in 1961's "Breakfast at Tiffany's."
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"Say Yes to the Dress"
"Project Runway"
Currently in its 18th season, "Project Runway" debuted in 2004. It was hosted by supermodel Heidi Klum until 2018, when she moved on to other projects and was replaced by model Karlie Kloss.
"America's Next Top Model"
"What Not to Wear"
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A necklace
A manicure
A slip-on shoe
A high heel shoe
Named for the stiletto dagger, an Italian knife that features a long, slender blade with a needle-like point, stiletto heels can vary in height from one to 10 inches. When worn, they create the illusion of a longer, slimmer leg and a smaller foot.
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Asymmetrical
A-line
A-line dresses and skirts are named as such because they are small at the waist and widen out evenly toward the hem, resembling the shape of the capital letter A. They can be thigh-, knee-. calf- or ankle-length.
Circular
Broomstick
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Earrings
Shoes
Born in Spain in 1942, Blahnik began his career as a set designer but quickly realized he could showcase his creativity much more freely by designing footwear for women. His brand gained fame when it was repeatedly showcased on the TV show "Sex and the City."
Handbags
Watches
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The length of a pair of pants from the crotch to the hemline
The inseam is one of the important measurements when it comes to pants, especially if you are taller or shorter than average. The distance between the middle of the crotch seam to the top of the waistband is called the rise.
The seam that runs from the waistband of a pair of pants down the outside of the leg
The distance between the middle of the crotch to the top of the waistband on a pair of pants
The distance around the waist on a pair of pants
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Calvin Klein
In a 1980 TV commercial, Shields caused quite a stir when she uttered the now-famous line, “Do you know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.” The ad was considered so scandalous it was banned by ABC and CBS in New York.
Levi Strauss
Ralph Lauren
Hugo Boss
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1950s
1980s
1970s
1960s
English fashion designer Mary Quant is credited with popularizing the miniskirt during the Swinging Sixties fashion movement in London. She also created hot pants and was the first designer to use PVC (vinyl) as clothing material.
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Stella McCartney
Born in 1971, Stella McCartney is the daughter of Paul McCartney and the late photographer Linda McCartney. A lifelong vegetarian and animal activist, the designer does not use leather or fur in any of her designs.
Sean Lennon
Julian Lennon
Mary McCartney
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Slip
Sarong
From the Malay word for "covering," the sarong is a traditional garment from Java and the Malay Archipelago. Today, the style is worn all around the world, often as a wrap skirt or a beach coverup.
Sheath
Overskirt
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Macaulay and Kieran Culkin
Dylan and Cole Sprouse
Tia and Tamera Mowry
Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen
Mary-Kate and Ashley founded the brand in 2007, naming it for their siblings Elizabeth and James Olsen. The twins were also responsible for creating the clothing brand the Row a year earlier.
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Ornamental needlework
A knotting technique used in fringed clothing
A ruffled or flared piece of fabric attached to the waistline of a top, dress or jacket
The word "peplum" comes from a Greek word for "tunic," and the popularity of peplum has ebbed and flowed over the years. The style entered the world of high fashion in 1947 as a prominent feature in Christian Dior's debut couture collection, dubbed the New Look.
A fold of doubled fabric that is secured in place
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Prada
Founded by Mario Prada in 1913, Prada is a luxury fashion house that carries shoes, handbags, travel accessories, ready-to-wear, perfumes and more. Miu Miu was created in 1992 to appeal to younger fashionistas.
Versace
Missoni
Dolce & Gabbana
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Stiletto heels
Pointed toe
Red soles
Officially called the Pigalle pump and popularly known as sammy-red bottoms, Louboutin's signature red-soled shoes have been coveted by fashion lovers since 1993. They retail for close to $700 and up.
Square toe
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1790s
1870s
Blue jeans as we know them today were patented in 1873 by Jacob Davis, a Latvian-born tailor who emigrated to the U.S., and Levi Strauss, the owner of a wholesale fabric house in San Francisco. Their blue jeans featured metal rivets.
1950s
1970s
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Culottes
Originally worn by aristocratic men in 16th-century Europe, culottes became a popular style of clothing for American women in the 1930 and '40s. They're also sometimes referred to as divided skirts.
Harem pants
Palazzo pants
Bellbottoms
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Riccardo Tisci
Karl Lagerfeld
Hired by Chanel in the 1980s, Lagerfeld is credited with bringing the legendary fashion brand back to life after it stalled due to the death of Coco Chanel. It was Lagerfeld who integrated the interlocked CC monograph of Coco Chanel into a style pattern.
Pierpaolo Piccioli
Bruno Sialelli
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Ready-to-wear
Ready-to-wear clothing is mass-produced and ready to buy off the rack in stores. Its opposite is haute couture, which features high-fashion pieces that are made to measure for a specific person.
Custom-made
One-of-a-kind
Off the rack
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January and December
March and August
February and September
The first ever Fashion Week was held in New York in 1943. It's now a bi-annual event that occurs in the "Big Four" fashion capitals of the world, starting in New York and followed by shows in London, Milan and Paris.
April and October
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1955
1892
Originally founded as a weekly periodical focused on society and fashion, Vogue has become the world's leading fashion publication. British-American journalist and editor Anna Wintour has served as editor-in-chief of Vogue since 1988.
1922
1937
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Vivienne Westwood
Diane von Furstenberg
Furstenberg had no idea her concept for an easy-to-wear dress would become so iconic. "It started as a wrap top and skirt, and I thought it would make a simple and sexy dress. I had no idea it would be such a phenomenon," the designer is quoted as saying.
Coco Chanel
Yves Saint Laurent
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Bralette
Bandeau
Women have been depicted wearing bandeaus in Minoan wall paintings that date as far back as the 14th century. The term can also refer to a thin headband that's traditionally worn by nuns.
Shelf bra
Bikini
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Ruche
Pleat
Pleats are often incorporated into skirts, typically as a way to add fullness from the waist, hip or hem. Common types include box pleats, knife pleats, inverted pleats and kick pleats.
Macrame
Fishtail
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Tom Ford
Before launching his eponymous line in 2006, Ford was the creative director for Gucci and Yves Saint Laurent. He also owns his own film production company and directed the features "A Single Man" and "Nocturnal Animals."
Marc Jacobs
Michael Kors
Christian Siriano
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Prada
Chanel
Vivienne Westwood
“I was embarrassed,” Campbell told British Vogue of the mishap. "I felt like I should have practiced more." She added, "The most important thing is that I said to myself, ‘Get up and keep going, that’s all you have to do.'”
Yves Saint Laurent
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Clog
Espadrille
Considered peasant footwear in 14th-century Europe, espadrilles have become popular all around the world. In the U.S., they were made famous by actress Lauren Bacall, who wore an ankle-laced pair in the 1948 film "Key Largo."
Wedge
Sandal
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Halston
Yves Saint Laurent
John Galliano
This Gibraltar-born British fashion designer led Givenchy from 1995 to 1996 and Christian Dior from 1996 to 2011. He also has his own eponymous line and is currently the creative director of the Paris-based fashion house Maison Margiela.
Pierre Cardin
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It's stuffed with extra down.
It doesn't have a hood.
It's reversible.
It's fastened with toggles and loops.
The duffle coat, first popularized in Europe in the 1850s, is made from a coarse, thick, woolen material called duffle. This coat's toggle fastenings are designed to be easily fastened and unfastened while wearing gloves in cold weather.
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