A streetwear glossary brings together the terms you encounter when buying urban clothing (oversize, boxy fit, GSM, french terry, drop...) and explains what they mean in practice so you can make the right choices regarding size, quality, and price. Here are 45 clear definitions, grouped by topic and with examples of real CUOTTI garments.

Reading time: 8 minutes.

Contents

• Fit and cuts
• Fabrics and weight
• Construction details
• Prints and finishes
• Culture and market
• Frequently asked questions

Fit and cuts

Oversize. A garment cut wider and, usually, longer than your standard size, with dropped shoulders. It is the dominant cut in streetwear. Example: the CUOTTI white t-shirt with large logo (oversize cut). Complete guide: how to choose your size in oversize clothing.

Boxy fit. A straight and square cut: wide body, shorter length, and more structured shoulders than in an oversize fit. Detail on the difference in boxy fit vs. oversize.

Slim fit. Close to the body without being tight. Example: the black t-shirt with side logo (slim fit, €28).

Regular fit. A standard cut, neither tight nor loose.

Relaxed fit. Loose but more contained than an oversize fit. It is the middle ground if you are unsure.

Baggy. Pants that are very wide from the hip to the hem.

Drop shoulder. The seam falls below the shoulder, giving the relaxed silhouette typical of oversize clothing.

Cropped. A short garment that ends above the hip or waist.

Unisex. A garment designed for both men and women. CUOTTI product pages indicate both audiences.

Fabrics and weight

GSM. Acronym for grams per square meter: the weight of one square meter of fabric. It is the most useful measurement for comparing quality between brands. As a guideline, a light t-shirt is around 140–160 GSM, a standard one is 180–200, and a heavyweight one exceeds 220; for sweatshirts, 280–350 is medium weight and over 400 is very heavy. These figures vary by brand. More in cotton vs. polyester and streetwear weight.

Heavyweight. High-weight fabric, with drape and structure. The CUOTTI Distressed editions use 465 GSM, a weight far superior to a normal sweatshirt. Detail in what is 465 GSM French Terry cotton.

Midweight. Medium weight: more comfortable for daily use and transitional seasons.

French terry. Knit fabric with loops on the inside and a smooth outer face. It is breathable and ideal for transitional seasons. Comparison in French terry vs. fleece.

Fleece. Fabric with a brushed interior, like soft fuzz. It is warmer, but often pills sooner.

Combed cotton. Cotton from which short fibers have been removed; it is softer and more uniform.

Organic cotton. Cotton grown without pesticides or synthetic fertilizers. CUOTTI product pages indicate 100% organic premium cotton.

Technical polyester. Lightweight and resistant synthetic fiber. Example: the SkyNight set, made of technical polyester with reflective lines.

Pre-shrunk. Fabric treated so that it shrinks very little in the first wash.

Pilling. The small balls that appear due to friction. They are reduced with good weight and proper washing: how to care for and wash heavyweight streetwear.

Acid wash. A wash that gives a worn-out look with subtle variations, widely used in vintage pieces.

Construction details

Tight neck. A dense, elastic ribbed collar that does not deform with use. It is one of the signs of a well-made t-shirt.

Open hem. Pants without a cuff, with a straight drape over the sneaker. CUOTTI has launched this in 465 GSM in limited editions.

Cuff. Elastic hem that fits the ankle. Example: the black cuffed pants with embroidered CUOTTI logo (€32).

Jogger. Sweatpants with an elastic cuff at the ankle.

Cargo. Pants with side bellows pockets. See the pants collection.

Double-layer hood. A hood with two layers of fabric that maintains an upright shape.

Kangaroo pocket. The large front pocket found on hoodies.

Prints and finishes

Screen printing. Ink applied through a screen. It is durable and has a matte feel. The Spanish Luxury sweatshirt pages indicate screen printing; see the black Spanish Luxury hoodie (€50). Comparison in screen printing, DTF, or vinyl.

DTF. Printing on film that is transferred with heat. It allows for many colors and gradients.

Vinyl. A sheet cut and applied with heat. It provides flat colors and less breathability.

Embroidery. A design sewn with thread, with relief and high durability. Example: the hoodie with embroidered CUOTTI logo (€42).

PVC patch. A molded rubber logo with a technical look, used in the Distressed line.

Distressed. An aged or worn-out finish, sought after on purpose.

Reflective. Details that reflect light from spotlights or headlights.

Culture and market

Streetwear. Fashion born from skate, hip-hop, and urban culture. History in what is streetwear.

Luxury streetwear. Streetwear with premium-level materials, finishes, and production.

Affordable luxury. Premium quality at an accessible price. This is CUOTTI's positioning: t-shirts from €22 and sweatshirts from €42.

Drop. The release of a collection or garment on a specific date and in limited quantity. The next CUOTTI drop is coming in November 2026.

Restock. Replenishment of an out-of-stock item. At CUOTTI, most collections are limited editions and are not usually restocked.

Limited edition. Informal reduced and numbered production. Example: the Portugal 2026 CR7 t-shirt.

Collab. Collaboration between brands, artists, or athletes. Example: Cristiano Junior and Mamadu Djabi in the latest CUOTTI drop.

Capsule. A mini-collection of a few pieces that combine with each other. See how to build yours in the streetwear capsule wardrobe.

Resale. Buying and selling drop items at a higher price. It is a market full of counterfeits, so it is best to buy from the official store.

Tracksuit. A matching set consisting of a sweatshirt or jacket and pants. See the collection of sets.

Blokecore. A trend of wearing soccer jerseys within urban outfits. Guide: blokecore in 2026.

Frequently asked questions

What does oversize mean in clothing?

It means the garment is wider and longer than your usual size, with dropped shoulders. For a relaxed oversize fit, choose your usual size; go up one only if you want a lot of volume.

Which is better, oversize or boxy fit?

It depends on the silhouette you are looking for. Oversize is longer and more fluid; boxy is shorter, squared, and more structured.

What is GSM in a sweatshirt?

It is the grams per square meter of fabric. A sweatshirt over 400 GSM is considered very heavy.

French terry or fleece?

French terry for transitional seasons and daily use; fleece if you are looking for more warmth.

What is a drop?

A limited release on a specific date. You can find out about upcoming ones on the CUOTTI WhatsApp channel.

Are CUOTTI garments for men and women?

Yes. Product pages indicate men and women.