Prêt-à-porter is a French term that literally means “off the peg” or “off the rack”. Prêt-à-porter refers to factory-made clothing sold in standard sizes. The English language meaning is Ready-to-Wear.
Factories produce ready-to-wear garments because it is the most economical way to produce clothing. No tailoring or alteration is necessary, keeping costs low.
Prêt-à-porter is the polar opposite of haute couture, or high fashion featuring one-of-a-kind designs.
During Fashion Week, ready-to-wear collections are presented by fashion houses at the start of the season. FYI Fashion week is held twice each year. In September for spring/summer collections and in during February for fall/winter collections.
There was also a 1994 comedy film titled Prêt-à-porter directed by Robert Altman.
