What does sartorially mean?
Sartorially means in relation to clothing, dress, or tailoring, especially when discussing the quality, design, or fit of garments. The word is formal and somewhat literary, appearing in contexts such as fashion criticism, personal style, and commentary on the traditional craft of tailoring. It implies attention to how clothes are constructed and how they sit on the wearer, not merely that someone is dressed. A person might be described as sartorially meticulous, suggesting that every seam, cut, and fabric has been carefully considered. The adverb is also used more broadly for clothing-related concerns: a designer may examine a collection sartorially, focusing on silhouette, proportion, and construction. Though it can sound elevated or old-fashioned, it remains useful when precision about dress is intended.
adverbIn a manner relating to clothing, dress, or tailoring. It describes how something is made, fitted, styled, or adapted to the body.
- In relation to clothing, dress, or tailoring.
"The suit was tailored so meticulously that it was almost a work of art."
"The designer considered the collection sartorially, focusing on cut, fabric, and fit."
"He is sartorially meticulous and rarely wears anything poorly made."
Sartorially is the word for when clothes become a language of precision, personality, and style.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sartorially come from?
The word comes from the Latin adjective sartorius, meaning “of a tailor” or “relating to a tailor,” from sartor, the Latin noun for a tailor or mender. English acquired the related adjective sartorial and the adverb sartorially during the 19th century. The English word tailor is also historically related through Latin and Old French, while sartorius remains familiar in the name of the sartorius muscle, the muscle of the thigh.
Related word forms
How sartorially is actually used
Relatively formal and literary. It is commonly used in editorial, fashion, and design contexts, especially in the expression 'sartorially inclined'.
Easily confused with sartorially
Sartorial is an adjective describing clothing or tailoring, whereas sartorially is an adverb describing the manner in which something is tailored or dressed.