DUBAI The English language is morphing into a strange one. We just love mixing, matching and creating. From merging celebrity names to creating new fashion terms and even renaming hairstyles, portmanteaus have gotten the better of us.
If you're feeling out of the loop, a portmanteau is a word created by joining two other words. Case in point: brunch, a mix of breakfast and lunch.
In Hollywood, portmanteaus have become a popular way of naming couples. Brad Pitt and Angelina Jolie are often referred to as Brangelina; Tom Cruise and Katie Holmes are TomKat, and so on.
The fashion world, meanwhile, has taken the portmanteau concept to all-new heights by creating words that have spawned their own unique meaning.
Lob
A hybrid between long hair and a bob, the Lob has been doing the salon rounds recently and is fast becoming the must-have hairstyle of the year.
Celebrity lobs: Jessica Simpson and Gwyneth Paltrow first started this trend and now everyone from Eva Longoria to Anne Hathaway , and probably your next-door neighbour, is giving it a go.
Trashion
The marriage of trash and fashion has led to the birth of the term trashion, best described as trashy fashion, or clothes and accessories created from leftover or unused items. Singer Kei$ha, attended the MTV Video Music awards this year in a trashy chic micro-mini made entirely out of an oversized garbage bag, the fur of a dead animal and some beads.
Jeggings
Jeggings, or jean leggings, are fall’s biggest runway hit. They’re not quite skinny jeans, nor are they leggings of yore. It’s a whole new generation of denim leggings, complete with painted pockets to resemble the real thing. Fashionistas the world over are reaching out to own a pair of these not quite spandex, not quite denim, creations. Everyone from Beyonce to Rihanna and Jessica Alba has been snapped in a pair in recent times.
Skorts
What do you get when you combine a skirt with a pair of shorts? Skorts have been popular for a while with sports enthusiasts as well as many schoolchildren. Fashion just got practical.
While all the big sporting brands from Nike to adidas have their own lines of skorts, celebs such as Jessica Simpson, too have
been lapping up the style statement.
Burqinis
A word that’s big in this part of the world, the burqini is that creative blend of a burqa and a bikini. The swimsuit comprises tights, a long-sleeved swim-top and a detachable hood.
Frenchwoman Carole was responsible for bringing the burqini into the limelight when she raised a storm after being banned from a public swimming pool in Paris for sporting one.
Treggings
Half trousers, half leggings, the uber fashionable tights are all the rage at the moment, and have often even become acceptable as work-wear. It was Kate Moss who first popularised the tregging as part of her collection for high street brand Top Shop.
Shresses
Shresses, or sheer dresses, are big on the runways, but it’s a trend that hasn’t quite taken off in Dubai yet. May we add, fortunately? Actress Jessica Biel turned up for the A-Team premiere in July this year in a long, red shress, much to the amusement of fans. Where are the fashion police when you need them?
Shants
The new lingo for sheer pants, shants, is a trend not everyone can carry off. Quite literally, shants are see-through trousers that require the wearer to leave modesty at home and invest in a really good pair of underpants. Prada and Marc Jacobs should take credit for creating the first shants in history.
Recessionista
A fashionista stuck in the midst of a recession is referred to as a recessionista. Her passion for fashion hasn’t swayed despite hard financial times. In addition to recycling her dresses, she buys high-end couture from outlet stores and discount shops. Michelle Obama, Liz Hurley and Lindsay Lohan are all learning the importance of recycling an existing wardrobe instead of splashing out on a new one. All these celebs have been seen repeating their outfits, by adding a twist with choice of accessories. Liz Hurley was seen in the 2009 New York annual Hot Pink charity party in a pink satin gown, left, which she last wore at the 2003 Cannes festival.
Greige
Greige, a combination of grey and beige, is a colour that was all over the runways earlier this year. Chanel started the trend with their Particuliere nail polish and before one could even learn the word, women the world over were asking their beauticians for greige nails. Pop star Lily Allen, was among the first to popularise the look when she appeared at the Chanel Spring/Summer 2010 fashion show sporting greige nails. She was soon followed by Sandra Bullock at the Golden Globes and Rihanna at her Good Morning America performance.