placket: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
LowTechnical/Formal
Quick answer
What does “placket” mean?
A slit or opening in a garment, especially one at the neck or cuff of a shirt or blouse, that allows it to be put on easily and is often fastened with buttons or a zip.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A slit or opening in a garment, especially one at the neck or cuff of a shirt or blouse, that allows it to be put on easily and is often fastened with buttons or a zip.
Can also refer to the strip of cloth sewn under such an opening to reinforce it or to the garment flap that covers a fastening.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning. The term is equally technical in both varieties.
Connotations
Neutral, functional term in tailoring.
Frequency
Equally low frequency in both dialects, confined to sewing, fashion, and historical costume discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “placket” in a Sentence
The [garment] has a [adjective] placket.She sewed the placket onto the [garment].Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “placket” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The placket design was particularly intricate.
American English
- She preferred a placket-front shirt for a classic look.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in garment manufacturing or fashion retail specifications.
Academic
Used in textile history, fashion design, and costume studies.
Everyday
Very rare. Mostly used by sewing enthusiasts or in detailed clothing descriptions.
Technical
Standard term in tailoring, pattern-making, and dressmaking instructions.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “placket”
- Misspelling as 'placket' (correct) vs. 'plackett' or 'plaqet'.
- Using it to refer to any opening in fabric (e.g., a pocket opening) rather than specifically a fastened opening.
- Pronouncing it /pleɪˈket/ instead of /ˈplækɪt/.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a low-frequency, technical term primarily used in tailoring, dressmaking, and fashion design.
Very rarely. Its core meaning is tied to garments. Historical texts might use it for a slit in armour or leather, but this is obsolete.
A placket is specifically designed for a fastening (buttons, zip). A vent is primarily for ease of movement or style and may not have a fastening (e.g., a back vent on a jacket).
No. A 'placket front' shirt has a separate reinforced strip. Some casual shirts or knitwear have a 'French front' where buttons are attached directly to a folded edge with no separate placket piece.
A slit or opening in a garment, especially one at the neck or cuff of a shirt or blouse, that allows it to be put on easily and is often fastened with buttons or a zip.
Placket is usually technical/formal in register.
Placket: in British English it is pronounced /ˈplakɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈplækɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Keep your placket closed (archaic/jocular) - meaning to be discreet or avoid scandal.”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of a PACKET of buttons that runs down the PLACKET of your shirt.
Conceptual Metaphor
A GARMENT IS A CONTAINER (the placket is the opening).
Practice
Quiz
In which of these contexts are you MOST likely to encounter the word 'placket'?