rag trade

WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2025

rag′ trade′, [Slang.]

1. Slang Terms the garment, clothing, or fashion industry. Also called rag business. 

• 1835–45

rag′ trad′er. 

Collins Concise English Dictionary © HarperCollins Publishers::

rag trade noun

1. the clothing business, esp the aspects concerned with the manufacture and sale of dresses