Stylish frock

Frock has been used since Middle English as the name for an article of clothing for women. In British English and in Commonwealth countries the word is used as an alternative term for a girl's or woman's dress. In Australia it is frequently used this way, with the phrase "to frock up" meaning to wear a formal dress or gown for a special occasion..

Originally, a frock was a loose, long garment with wide, full sleeves, such as the habit of a monk or priest, commonly belted. (This is the origin of the modern term defrock or unfrock, meaning "to eject from the priesthood"

The term has been continually applied to various types of clothing, generally denoting a loosely fitted garment.
The precise historical evolution of the frock after the second half of the 18th century is obscure, however it is likely that the frock was gradually supplanted by the frock coat in the early 19th century, eventually being relegated to evening dress. The frock coat in turn became cut away into the modern coat, giving us the two modern coats with tails.

• Frock is also a woman’s or girl’s dress.
• Frock (especially in the phrase "short frock") can be a child's dress or light overdress.
• A frock is a dense knitted overgarment worn by sailors and fishermen, as guernsey frock, jersey frock (now usually simply guernsey and jersey).
• The name "oil frock" has been used for a type of sailor's oilskin.