
I haven’t found many straight forward lists available online that cover different styles of dress. I studied this some in college but really wanted to lay it all out in a way that I could compare them in a condensed form. Occasionally, I’ll get an idea for a plot, but won’t know which style, setting, or era is best until I sit down and scan through this list for ideas.
Only general descriptions are provided to help sort the styles because so many overlap. If you find something missing, please leave a comment!
- Western (cowboy) – boots, jeans, plaid, cowboy hat, spurs, chaps
- Rocker (traditional motorcycle) – black leather, band shirts, spike studs, skulls
- Punk – spiked colorful hair, black outfits
- Anarco-punk – militaristic style
- Steampunk – brass gears, buckles, latches, mechanical hardware, goggles
- Cyberpunk – futuristic tech, pleather, goggles, colorful cable/dread hair
- Biopunk includes more of the tech+body integration
- Celtic punk – kilts and leather jackets
- Glamorous punk – sparkles and spikes
- Ska-punk – suspenders, black and white stripes/checkers, skinny jeans
- Rockabilly – retro hair curls/greaser, white T-shirt, jeans, short A-line dresses, polka dots
- Gothic – black fishnet/lace, spikes, skulls, pale skin
- Vampire – brocade, corsets, cape, black leather, blood, sheer fabrics
- Voodoo/witch – long dresses, long hair, dark eyes, long necklaces, lots of rings
- Post-apocalyptic – thick, often torn canvas clothing, hoods, gas masks, knee boots, buckles
- Classy – simple suits, jackets, solid colors – neutral tone with a single color
- Chic – classy mixed with a lace or floral pattern
- Sophisticated – typically one color, a single form fit dress or suit, often with a single expensive accessory, a Coach/Prada purse
- Bohemian (boho) – tassels, lace, natural colors, sheer fabrics
- Gypsy – richer color, corsets, more adornments, hip scarf
- Casual – jeans, hoodies, T-shirts, sneakers
- Loungewear – sweats, hoodies, T-shirts, slippers, nighties
- Hippie – long flowing fabrics, flowers, bell-bottoms, bright colors
- Romantic – pastel colors, flowers, skirts
- Tomboy (for girls) – dresses like a man
- Effeminate (for guys) – dresses like a woman
- National (ethnic) – dress based on cultural history and tradition
- Preppy – sweaters and slacks or skirts
- Sexy – torn/minimal clothing, showing a lot of skin
- Metrosexual (men) – skinny jeans, form-fitting tops, vests, manicured, long bangs
- Lumbersexual (men) – boots, skinny jeans, red and black plaid flannel, beard, long bangs, pipe/cigar
- Formal – suits for males and females
- Glamorous – silk, fur, diamonds, floor-length form fit dress, expensive suits
- Active – stretch fabrics, tennis shoes, armband/waistband for mp3 player and keys
- Retro – 1980’s neon triangles/circles parachute clothing, and 70’s muted colors in t-shirts, high-waist jeans, and swimsuits, big hair/puffy-brushed out curls
- Vintage
- Early 1900s – full-length corset dresses, casual suits, floral patterns, lace trim
- Medieval/renaissance – tunics, under-bust trim, silk, gold thread, accentuated sleeve openings for women, puffy sleeves and pants for men
- Skater – large flat-soled shoes, beanies, hoodies, torn baggy pants or skinny jeans
- Nautical – navy and white colors, often stripes and solids
- Vibrant/Flamboyant – boldly colorful, patterned, and shaped
- Exotic – rich colors, trimmed with gold/silver, gems (Stylized with ethnic elements)
- Seasonal – self-explanatory, depends on where you are.
- Artistic (Arty) – this can go two ways:
- The creator – casual with effects of work present, paint, wood dust, ink
- The professional – clean jeans/slacks, suit jacket/sweater, camera bag/satchel, and a beret or other well-known symbol of art appreciation
- Minimalist – simple clean lines with few to no adornments, no pockets, nothing in excess.
- Eclectic – a mix of tastes, plaid and paint splatter, breaks fashion rules, what most of us normies are.
- Street/Urban – a trendy casual, follows pop culture fads in everyday style
- Functional – work-wear, jumpsuits, overalls, gloves, grounding straps, harnesses
- Costume/Character inspired (Cosplay) – over 20 sub-categories.(Wikimedia Reference) here’s a few:
- Fantasy armor
- Superheroes
- Cyborgs
- Machines
- Legend and creatures
- Spies
- Martial artists
- Anime
- Maids
- Pirates
- Ancient
- Egyptian – typically long white tunic adorned with gold and turquois, headdresses
- Mayan/Aztec/Inca – loin cloth & tunics for men, skirts and scarves for women, body piercings
- Viking – long canvas dresses, furs, cloaks
- Nomad – thick pants and tops, full overdress, trimmed with geometric patterns
- Barbarian – stud-trimmed leather, furs, skulls/teeth/round-stamped metal adornments
- Greek – Chiton, men no sleeves, women had sleeves
- Roman – Tunica and toga combination
- Minoan/Cretan – layered skirt, jacket, brooches and daggers for women. loincloth and pants that folded into a triangle shape at the waist for men, no shirt
- Israelite – animal skin apron with a long shawl-like tunic
- India – a single piece of fabric wrapped around the entire body, bright colors, trimmed with gold thread
- Chinese – darker colors, loose and wide sleeves, Hanfu tunic, sash
- African – bark cloth, animal skins, paint, scars, beadwork