Clothing Terminology

[kamikat]

Can someone explain the difference between a suit and a two piece dress?

 

[LizzieMaine]

I've always understood it to be primarily a difference in fabrics and structure -- a suit would have a more structured jacket, and be made from a generally heavier fabric, while the top of a two piece dress would be made more like a blouse than a coat, and the fabric in general would be lighter.

I've seen a lot of crossover in these terms, though, especially when you get into the "suit-dresses" of the early forties, which could go both ways. I guess what it comes down to is if it *feels* like a dress, it is one.

 

[Lauren]

A lot of times it may look like a suit, but a two-piece dress has a top or jacket that is made like a dressmaker style, not a finished tailored jacket. They're often unlined.

 

[Lotta Little]

I always think of a lined, structured jacket as being part of a suit, too, even if it has short sleeves. Otherwise "suit" as in "suit-of-clothes" just means clothes that are meant to be worn as a set, in which case, a two-piece dress qualifies.

 

[Tomasso]

Can someone explain the difference between a suit and a two piece dress?

Suits require an elaborate infrastructure, where dresses are little more than shirts.

 

[LaMedicine]

I'd always interpreted a two piece dress as a blouse and skirt ensemble, made out of the same fabric, so looks like a one piece dress when worn together. You can wear a jacket over this if you like.
A suit as a structured jacket and skirt/pants ensemble, with/without lining, that, while some, especially summer suits, don't require one, usually requires a blouse/shirt/sweater type inner clothes inside the jacket.

 

[kamikat]

Thanks, ladies!

 

[roselily]

I tend to think of a suit as needed a separate blouse underneath, where a two-piece dress is worn on it's own. (unless it's a sheath dress/jacket combo...I'd probably consider that a suit)