ready-to-wear

American  

[red-ee-tuh-wair] / ˈrɛd i təˈwɛər /

noun

1. clothing made in standard sizes; ready-made clothing.

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adjective

1. pertaining to or dealing in such clothing.

   the ready-to-wear business; a ready-to-wear shop.

ready-to-wear British  

adjective

1. (of clothes) not tailored for the wearer; of a standard size

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noun

1. an article or suit of such clothes

Etymology

Origin of ready-to-wear

An Americanism dating back to 1890–95

Explanation

Use the adjective ready-to-wear to describe clothes that are made in standard sizes and sold in stores. If you buy a pair of jeans at the mall and put them on as soon as you get home, they're ready-to-wear. Almost all clothing is ready-to-wear — the opposite is tailor-made clothing, which you can also call bespoke or made to measure. These much fancier and more expensive garments are sewn especially for the wearer's body, while ready-to-wear clothes are more affordable and — inevitably — fit less perfectly. In French, the term is prêt-à-porter, "off the rack" or "off the peg."

Example Sentences

The ceremony honored achievements in fashion across several categories including ready-to-wear, jewelry, accessories, graduate design and sustainability.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

Slumped into folding chairs inside his New York studio, renowned designer Marc Jacobs and his brand’s creative director, Joseph Carter, ponder the mood of Jacobs’ Spring 2024 ready-to-wear collection.

From Salon • Mar. 27, 2026

Another new arrival, Executive Creative Director Stuart Vevers, had just designed Coach’s first ready-to-wear clothing line, expanding its portfolio beyond bags and accessories.

From The Wall Street Journal • Feb. 25, 2026

The 30-year-old designer says she wants to maintain this pride in traditional tartan but with a fashionable, ready-to-wear approach.

From BBC • Jan. 31, 2026

And yet, strangely enough, there are men whose wives find it difficult to persuade them to go to the tailor; or, for that matter to the ready-to-wear clothier.

From The Perfect Gentleman by Bergengren, Ralph