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passé style

/pæˈseɪ staɪl/
noun phrase★Intermediate💡 outdated fashion
informal

a style or fashion that is no longer in vogue or considered current.

His music tastes are stuck in the past; everything he listens to is in a passé style.

His music is outdated and no longer fashionable.

The designer's collection featured a mix of vintage and passé style elements.

The collection included elements that were no longer stylish.

💡

Often used to describe clothing, music, art, or cultural trends that are no longer popular.

Collocations

passé styleoutdated fashionin a passé styleold-fashionedpassé fashionoutdated clothing trends

Synonyms

outdated styleold-fashioned styledated fashionobsolete style

Antonyms

trendy stylemodern stylecontemporary stylein vogue

Related Phrases

out of stylephrase
no longer fashionable
vintage stylephrase
retro fashion that is nostalgic but still appreciated
retro stylephrase
style inspired by past trends but intentionally revived

💡Pro Tip

Avoid confusion with 'passé' alone

While 'passé' can mean 'outdated' on its own, adding 'style' clarifies that the outdated nature refers specifically to fashion or aesthetic trends. For example, 'passé' alone might describe a person ('He’s so passé'), but 'passé style' specifies the outdated fashion.

⚡Gold Rule

Use for fashion and trends only

The phrase 'passé style' is primarily used to describe fashion, art, or cultural trends. Avoid using it for objects or behaviors unrelated to style, such as technology or habits.

📖Word Origin

From French 'passé' meaning 'past' or 'outdated,' combined with 'style' in English. The term entered English in the mid-20th century, borrowing from French fashion terminology.

📝Usage Notes

The phrase is often used in fashion, art, and cultural contexts to describe something that was once stylish but is now considered old-fashioned. It carries a slightly negative connotation, implying that the style is no longer desirable.

Word Breakdown

passé
past or outdated (from French)
borrowed word
+
style
a distinctive manner or fashion
noun
English Dictionary

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