The Italian Word for “Fashion” – Moda

The Italian word for fashion is moda. It entered the language via the French mode, which you might recognise from the expression à la mode.

/mò·da/
cover image with the word “moda” and its translation written on a notepad next to a cup of coffee

Moda is a feminine noun whose plural form is mode.

la moda
the fashion

una moda
a fashion

le mode
the fashions

delle mode
(some) fashions

Here are a few useful verbs you will often see in the company of moda:

  • essere di moda = to be in fashion
  • andare di moda = to be the fashion
  • diventare di moda = to become fashionable
  • tornare di moda = to come back into fashion
  • passare di moda = to go out of fashion
  • lanciare una (nuova) moda = to set a (new) fashion
  • seguire la moda = to follow the fashion

There are a few expressions you can use to describe things that are fashionable and trendy. Alla moda, the one-to-one equivalent of the Frenchà la mode, is more or less interchangeable with the expression di moda. If something is all’ultima moda, it is up-to-date with the latest fashion trends.

Le scarpe di pelle sono sempre alla moda / di moda.

Leather shoes are always in fashion.


Fashionable hipster woman in Trendy outfit, stylish hair, makeup on pink purple neon light.
La moda giovanile = Youth fashion

If something is out of fashion, you can say that it is fuori moda or all’antica (old-fashioned).

A few common terms that contain the word moda include:

  • rivista di moda = fashion magazine
  • sfilata di moda = fashion show
  • moda primaverile = spring fashion
  • moda estiva = summer fashion
  • negozio di moda = fashion shop
  • alta moda = high fashion
  • moda autunnale = autumn fashion
  • moda invernale = winter fashion

Interestingly, the fashion industry is known simply as la moda in Italian, without any additional modifiers. If you wanted to say that you work in the fashion industry, for example, the translation would be Lavoro nella moda (lit. I work in fashion).

Did you know that…?
Italians have adopted the English word fashion into their lexicon, pronounced with an /ɛ/ instead of an /a/. It can mean fashion, in fashion and fashionable (e.g. le scarpe fashion = fashionable shoes / Sei molto fashion! = You’re very fashionable!).

Somewhat confusingly, when describing the appearance of a fashionable person, Italians prefer to use adjectives such as elegante (elegant) or chic (chic, classy).

Dario è sempre molto elegante. Non mi stupisce che lavori nella moda!

Dario is always very fashionable. I’m not surprised that he works in the fashion industry!


man posing with dark fashionable clothes in a photography studio
Sei molto chic! = You’re very fashionable!

Finally, moda is used to describe, not just clothes and accessories, but also fads and trends. A passing fad, for example, is known as amoda passeggera in Italian.

Oggi è di moda mangiare cibi sani.

Nowadays eating healthy food is in fashion.



Ethics statement: Below you will find affiliate links. If you buy something after clicking the link, we will receive a small commission. To know more about our ethics, you can visit our full disclosure page. Thank you!

Lingopie (affiliate link) is the Netflix of language learning application that uses real TV shows and movies to help you learn a new language. You can choose a show to watch based on your fluency level, and use the interactive subtitles to get instant translations to help you learn quickly.

Are you interested in improving your Italian in a fun and stress-free manner? Then we highly recommend Serena Capilli's short stories in Italian (affiliate link), designed for beginners, advanced beginners, and lower intermediate learners (A1-B1 CEFR). These stories have been optimised for English speakers in search of a fun, laid-back learning experience! Read our full review here.