You’ll soon describe what you’re wearing, choose clothes for any season, and ask for the right size in a shop. Start with the clothing words you use from head to toe, then build from there.

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Practical Applications

Clothing words describe what people wear on the body, from a simple T-shirt to a suitcase full of travel clothes. In shops, people ask for sizes, colors, and styles. At home, they talk about getting dressed, changing clothes, or choosing something for work, school, or a party. These words also appear in everyday descriptions: a blue shirt, black shoes, a warm coat, or a small handbag. For shopping language, see Shopping. For daily clothing actions, see Daily Routine.


Everyday clothing for the upper body
WordDefinition
👕T shirtA T shirt is a casual shirt with short sleeves and no collar.
🧥shirtA shirt is a top with sleeves and a front opening.
👚blouseA blouse is a smart or soft top usually worn by women.
🧶sweaterA sweater is a warm knitted top for cool weather.
🧢hoodieA hoodie is a casual top with a hood.
🧥jacketA jacket is a light outer layer worn over other clothes.
🧥coatA coat is a long warm outer layer for cold weather.
🌧️raincoatA raincoat is a coat that keeps you dry in rain.
🌬️windbreakerA windbreaker is a light jacket that blocks wind.

Practice

A T-shirt is a simple shirt with short sleeves, usually made of cotton. A shirt often has buttons, while a blouse is a lighter top, often worn by women. A sweater is warm and is usually knitted. A hoodie has a hood. A jacket is a short outer layer, and a coat is longer and warmer. A raincoat keeps out rain, and a windbreaker protects against wind and light cold. In daily speech, people often say a person is wearing a jacket or putting on a coat before going out.


Clothes worn on the lower body
WordDefinition
👖jeansJeans are strong trousers made of denim.
👔trousersTrousers are clothes for the legs with two separate parts.
🩳shortsShorts are short trousers worn in warm weather.
👗skirtA skirt is a piece of clothing that hangs from the waist.
🧘leggingsLeggings are tight clothes that cover the legs.
✨dressA dress is a one piece outfit for the body and legs.

Practice

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Jeans are strong trousers made of denim. Trousers is the more general word for long pants, especially in formal or professional situations. Shorts are worn in warm weather and cover the body from the waist to above the knee or lower. A skirt is a piece of clothing for the lower body that is not split into legs. Leggings fit tightly and stretch around the legs. A dress is a one-piece item that covers the upper body and lower body together. People often choose a skirt or dress for a smarter look, while jeans and shorts are common for everyday wear.


Things worn on the feet
WordDefinition
👞shoesShoes are coverings for the feet.
🏃sneakersSneakers are soft shoes for walking or sport.
🥾bootsBoots are strong shoes that cover the ankles or more.
🏖️sandalsSandals are open shoes for warm weather.
🩴flip flopsFlip flops are very simple open shoes with a strap.
🧦socksSocks are soft coverings for your feet inside shoes.

Practice

Shoes is the general word for footwear. Sneakers are comfortable shoes for walking or sport. Boots cover the foot and part of the leg and are often worn in cold or wet weather. Sandals leave much of the foot open. Flip-flops are simple open shoes with a flat sole, often used at the beach or around a pool. Socks are worn on the feet inside shoes. Notice the form: one sock, two socks; one shoe, two shoes; one boot, two boots.


Private clothing for home and sleep
WordDefinition
🩲underwearUnderwear is clothing worn under other clothes.
😴pajamasPajamas are clothes worn for sleeping.
🛁robeA robe is a loose piece of clothing worn at home.
🌙nightgownA nightgown is a long loose sleeping garment.

Underwear is clothing worn under other clothes. Common items include underpants or briefs, boxers, and bras. Pajamas are clothes for sleeping or relaxing at home. A robe is a loose outer garment worn over sleepwear or after a shower. A nightgown is a loose dress worn in bed, usually by women. These words are usually used for private or indoor situations, not for public descriptions.


Extra items people wear or carry
WordDefinition
🔗beltA belt is a strip of material worn around the waist.
🎩hatA hat is a cover for the head.
🧤glovesGloves are clothing for the hands.
🕶️sunglassesSunglasses are glasses that protect your eyes from the sun.
⌚watchA watch is a small device you wear to tell the time.
🎒backpackA backpack is a bag you carry on your back.
👜handbagA handbag is a small bag carried by hand or on the shoulder.
🛍️toteA tote is a large simple bag with open space inside.
💼clutchA clutch is a small elegant bag without handles.
🧳suitcaseA suitcase is a bag for packing clothes when you travel.

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Accessories are items people wear or carry with clothes. A belt goes around the waist. A hat covers the head, and gloves cover the hands. Sunglasses protect the eyes from bright light. A watch is worn on the wrist. Bags include a backpack for carrying books or travel items, a handbag for personal items, a tote with open handles, a clutch for a small formal bag, and a suitcase for travel. In everyday speech, people may say they are carrying a backpack or wearing a watch.


How clothes are described
WordDefinition
📏smallSmall means not large in size.
🧵mediumMedium means between small and large.
📦largeLarge means bigger than medium.
🏷️size 8Size 8 means a specific clothing size.
📐waistThe waist is the part of the body above the hips.
🟥redRed means the color of blood or a tomato.
📚stripedStriped means having lines of color.
⬜plainPlain means without a pattern or decoration.
⚪dottedDotted means covered with small spots.
🎨patternedPatterned means decorated with repeated shapes or designs.

Clothes are often described by size: small, medium, and large. Stores also use number sizes, such as size 8. For pants and skirts, waist is the part of the body where the clothing sits. Color words are common in clothing descriptions, such as red, blue, black, or white. Patterns also matter. Striped means with lines, plain means without a pattern, dotted means with spots, and patterned means with a repeated design. A customer might ask for a medium red shirt or plain black trousers.

People choose clothes by weather and activity. Clothes for winter are warm and often include coats, sweaters, boots, gloves, and scarves. Clothes for hot weather are light and comfortable, such as T-shirts, shorts, dresses, and sandals. Everyday wear means clothes used regularly, not just for formal events or special occasions. A heavy coat is practical for winter, while a cotton dress is better for hot weather. In conversation, people often say a jacket is good for rainy days or boots are for cold weather.


Common clothing words across regions
RegionVariantDefinitionExample
👖United KingdomtrousersIn the UK, trousers is the common word for clothing for the legs.
He bought new trousers for the interview.
🧢United StatespantsIn the US, pants is the common word for clothing for the legs.
She needs new pants for work.
🧶United KingdomjumperIn the UK, jumper is a common word for a warm knitted top.
I wore a jumper because the room was cold.
🧥United StatessweaterIn the US, sweater is the common word for a warm knitted top.
I wore a sweater because the room was cold.
💍United KingdomjewelleryIn the UK, jewellery is the usual spelling for decorative items worn on the body.
She keeps her jewellery in a box.
✨United StatesjewelryIn the US, jewelry is the usual spelling for decorative items worn on the body.
She keeps her jewelry in a box.

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Some clothing words change by region. In British English, trousers means what Americans often call pants. In American English, pants usually means outerwear for the legs, not underwear. In British English, pants often means underwear. Another difference appears in spelling: jewellery is common in British English, while jewelry is the American spelling. These differences matter when reading stores, labels, and fashion descriptions from different countries.

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You can now describe outfits, compare styles, discuss sizes and patterns, and choose the right words for different regions. Put these skills into action with Shopping, then keep talking about what you wear during your Daily Routine.

Practical Applications

Suggested Modules: A2

All content was written by our AI and may contain a few mistakes.

Last updated: Sat Aug 22, 2026, 5:27 PM