Definition

1. Adjective:

   • (Especially of clothing) Made in standard sizes and available from merchandise in stock; not custom-made. It describes garments that are mass-produced in predetermined sizes for immediate purchase and wear, as opposed to being tailored for an individual.

2. Noun:

   • Ready-made clothing; garments produced in standard sizes. This term refers to the category or section of clothing that is manufactured for general sale without requiring alterations.

Examples of Usage

• Adjective:

  • She prefers ready-to-wear collections from contemporary designers.
  • The store specializes in affordable ready-to-wear suits.

• Noun:

  • The designer's haute couture is exquisite, but her ready-to-wear is more accessible.
  • He browsed the ready-to-wear but ultimately ordered a custom suit.

Advanced Usage

• The term is often contrasted with "haute couture" (high-fashion, custom-fitted clothing) and "bespoke" or "made-to-measure" (individually tailored clothing).
• In the fashion industry, it is commonly abbreviated as RTW.
  • The brand will present its Fall RTW line next week.

Variants and Related Words

• Ready-made (adjective/noun): A very close synonym, often used interchangeably with "ready-to-wear," especially for clothing. It can also apply to other non-custom, prefabricated items.
  • They bought a ready-made cake for the party.
• Off-the-rack (adjective/adverb): An informal synonym meaning purchased from a retail store's existing stock.
  • He bought an off-the-rack tuxedo.

Synonyms

• Mass-produced (adj): Produced in large quantities using standardized processes.
• Prefabricated (adj): Made in sections in advance, for easy assembly. (More common for structures than clothing).
• Stock (adj): Kept regularly available for sale.

Antonyms

• Bespoke (adj): Custom-made to a particular client's order and measurements.
• Made-to-measure (adj): Adjusted to an individual's measurements from a standard pattern.
• Haute couture (n): High-end fashion that is constructed by hand from start to finish, made to order for specific clients.
• Custom-made (adj): Made according to the specifications of an individual purchaser.

Noun

1. ready-made clothing
   • she couldn't find anything in ready-to-wear that she liked

Adjective

1. (especially of clothing) made in standard sizes and available from merchandise in stock
   • a ready-made jacket
   • ready-to-wear clothes