dressmaker

dressmaker — noun

1. A dressmaker is someone whose job is to create women's clothing, such as dresses

1.nounB1
Definition

A dressmaker is someone whose job is to create women's clothing, such as dresses, skirts, and blouses, often by taking measurements and fitting garments to the customer's body.

Example

Madison took her prom dress to a local dressmaker for alterations.

collocation: local dressmaker

Tuan's aunt has worked as a dressmaker in Taipei for over thirty years.

pattern: work as a dressmaker

Common collocations
  • local dressmaker
  • professional dressmaker
  • custom dressmaker
  • dressmaker's shop
  • dressmaker's dummy
  • experienced dressmaker
  • trained dressmaker
Synonyms
  • tailor

    A tailor focuses on suits, jackets, and trousers for men or women, with an emphasis on sharp lines and structure, whereas a dressmaker works with lighter fabrics and softer silhouettes.

  • seamstress

    An older term that usually describes a woman who sews; it does not necessarily imply the design or garment-fitting skills of a professional dressmaker.

  • couturier

    A high-fashion designer who creates original, made-to-measure garments, typically at a much higher price point and prestige level than a dressmaker.

Grammar Patterns

a [adjective] dressmaker

work as a dressmaker

dressmaker + for/in [location]

Usage Note

This term is a compound noun formed from 'dress' and 'maker'. It specifically refers to a professional who makes women's clothing to order, as opposed to factory-produced garments.

Common Mistakes

My tailor made this evening gown for the wedding.
My dressmaker made this evening gown for the wedding.
Tailors traditionally specialise in suits and menswear; dressmakers focus on women's clothing such as dresses and gowns.
She bought a dress from a dressmaker at the mall.
She bought a dress from a boutique at the mall.
A dressmaker is a person who makes custom garments, not a retail store selling ready-made clothes.

Word family

Synonym discussion

Sense: noun/1

Dressmaker, tailor, seamstress, and couturier all refer to people who work with clothing, but their specialities differ sharply. A dressmaker focuses on women's garments such as dresses, blouses, and skirts, frequently using lighter fabrics and curved silhouettes. A tailor traditionally works on suits, jackets, and trousers for both men and women, prioritising structure, sharp angles, and precise fit. The word seamstress is older and less common today; it denotes a woman who sews, often domestically or in a repair capacity, without necessarily having the fitting or design training of a dressmaker. Couturier sits at the top of the hierarchy, describing a high-fashion designer who creates exclusive, made-to-measure pieces for wealthy clients. If you need an evening gown altered or a custom blouse made, look for a dressmaker. If you need a suit or formal jacket tailored, a tailor is the better choice.

tailor ↗seamstresscouturier

Common collocations

Nouns

  • dressmaker's shop
  • dressmaker's dummy
  • dressmaking class
  • dressmaker's studio

Adverbs

Phrases

  • work as a dressmaker
  • train as a dressmaker
  • set up as a dressmaker

Prepositions

Etymology

Old FrenchEnglishOld English

The word 'dressmaker' combines 'dress' (from Old French 'drecier', meaning 'to arrange or set up') with 'maker' (from Old English 'macian', 'to make'). It first appeared in English during the early 1600s. At that time 'dress' referred more broadly to any kind of clothing or attire, so a dressmaker was simply a person who made garments. Over the centuries, as fashion became more specialised, the term narrowed to mean a professional who creates women's clothing.