Weird British Fashion Terms

[WinterShorts]

Vest = Waistcoat
Suspenders = Braces
Derbies = Bowler hats
Bombers = Harrington Jackets
Wife beaters = Rib Vests

I have adopted your odd terms and they get me in trouble because I forget nobody here has a clue what I am talking about!

[Jay]

"We gave you a perfectly good language and you fucked up."

Stephen Fry

[Pin Money]

"Two nations divided by a common language"

George Bernard Shaw



P.S: I've never heard a Wifebeater called a Rib Vest; my Grandmother referred to them a Singlets. Also, Bomber Jackets and Harringtons; two different things. I hope this helps with your risible affectations.

[electroRoss]

That language you call 'English', the clue to its source is in the name.

[WinterShorts]

People here don't have the word harrington, so a bomber fills in for two jackets often enough. As for rib vests, it is not a term I actually use, but Topman's website does. Waistcoat is the word that makes most sense to me, I almost never call it a vest, and people think that is very odd.

[markjwinter86]

Topmans website call a ribbed vest a wifebeater? That needs a link if you've got one. Brilliant.

Only wifebeater term I know is a pint of Stella.

[Olly]

'Weird British Fashion Terms'...

PAH!

[paul-b]

Topmans website call a ribbed vest a wifebeater? That needs a link if you've got one. Brilliant.

Only wifebeater term I know is a pint of Stella.

I think the first terms are meant to be American English. And yes, never understood why myself, but my dad calls a pint of Stella a wife-beater too. Seems a little more specific than anyone who wears a rib vest, but I can imagine that association too.

[fasha]

I'm particularly irked by the term "Rib Vest" I don't even know why. But I do use bowler hats and waistcoats. So I guess my feelings for this topic is half and half.

[Johny-B]

Harringtons are nothing like bombers. The Harrington took it's name from the guy in Peyton Place, a 60's American programme. The guy who owre it was called something Harrington (can't remember his first name). The jacket was slightly different in that it didn't have an elasticated bottom edge, more like a golfing jacket I think. Harringtons became a 60's Mod jacket in the UK then went on to be worn by Skinheads.

Bombers are more like American flying jackets, some with fur like collars, some are leather others a kind of silky material. Nothing like Harringtons. What was that guys first name ?????