fashion-plate

A fashion-plate shows the latest styles for the season.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A picture showing the latest style of clothing: "fashion-plate" refers to an illustration, typically in a magazine or catalog, that displays contemporary fashion trends.
   • A person who dresses in the latest style: "fashion-plate" also describes a person, usually a woman, who is extremely fashionable and always wears the most up-to-date clothing.

Usage Examples

• Noun (illustration):

  • The magazine included a fashion-plate of elegant evening gowns for the winter season. (A picture showing the newest style of dresses.)
  • She collected vintage fashion-plates from the 1920s as a hobby. (Old illustrations of clothing styles.)

• Noun (person):

  • My aunt is a real fashion-plate; she never wears anything less than the latest trend. (She is a very fashionable person.)
  • Everyone at the gala admired her outfit – she was the fashion-plate of the evening. (She was the most stylish person present.)

Advanced Usage

• "to be a fashion-plate": to be known for one's impeccable and trendy dress sense.

  • He has always been a fashion-plate, even in casual settings. (He always dresses in the latest style.)

• "fashion-plate elegance": a phrase describing clothing or appearance that is as perfect as a fashion illustration.

  • Her wedding dress had a fashion-plate elegance, with its clean lines and modern cut. (The dress looked like it came straight from a style magazine.)

Variants and Related Words

• Fashion (n): a popular trend, especially in clothing.

  • This hat is in fashion this year. (It is currently trendy.)

• Plate (n): a flat, typically round dish; in this compound, it refers to a picture or illustration.

  • The book had a plate showing a map of the city. (An illustration.)

Synonyms

• Style icon: a person who is famous for their fashionable appearance.
• Trendsetter: a person who starts a new fashion or trend.
• Mannequin: a person who models clothes, but often used metaphorically for someone who dresses perfectly.

Related Idioms

• A la mode: in the current fashion; stylish.

  • She always dresses à la mode. (She is always fashionable.)

• Dressed to the nines: wearing very fashionable or elegant clothes.

  • He was dressed to the nines for the party. (He wore his best and most stylish outfit.)