Clothing and Accessories in EnglishA2
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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What modules are related?
Practical Applications
Clothing vocabulary overview
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.
| Word | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| A T shirt is a casual shirt with short sleeves and no collar. | ||
| A shirt is a top with sleeves and a front opening. | ||
| A blouse is a smart or soft top usually worn by women. | ||
| A sweater is a warm knitted top for cool weather. | ||
| A hoodie is a casual top with a hood. | ||
| A jacket is a light outer layer worn over other clothes. | ||
| A coat is a long warm outer layer for cold weather. | ||
| A raincoat is a coat that keeps you dry in rain. | ||
| A windbreaker is a light jacket that blocks wind. |
Practice
Tops and outer layers
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.
| Word | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Jeans are strong trousers made of denim. | ||
| Trousers are clothes for the legs with two separate parts. | ||
| Shorts are short trousers worn in warm weather. | ||
| A skirt is a piece of clothing that hangs from the waist. | ||
| Leggings are tight clothes that cover the legs. | ||
| A dress is a one piece outfit for the body and legs. |
Practice
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Bottoms and dresses
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.
| Word | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Shoes are coverings for the feet. | ||
| Sneakers are soft shoes for walking or sport. | ||
| Boots are strong shoes that cover the ankles or more. | ||
| Sandals are open shoes for warm weather. | ||
| Flip flops are very simple open shoes with a strap. | ||
| Socks are soft coverings for your feet inside shoes. |
Practice
Footwear and socks
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.
| Word | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Underwear is clothing worn under other clothes. | ||
| Pajamas are clothes worn for sleeping. | ||
| A robe is a loose piece of clothing worn at home. | ||
| A nightgown is a long loose sleeping garment. |
Underwear and sleepwear
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.
| Word | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| A belt is a strip of material worn around the waist. | ||
| A hat is a cover for the head. | ||
| Gloves are clothing for the hands. | ||
| Sunglasses are glasses that protect your eyes from the sun. | ||
| A watch is a small device you wear to tell the time. | ||
| A backpack is a bag you carry on your back. | ||
| A handbag is a small bag carried by hand or on the shoulder. | ||
| A tote is a large simple bag with open space inside. | ||
| A clutch is a small elegant bag without handles. | ||
| A suitcase is a bag for packing clothes when you travel. |
Train Your Ear as Well
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Accessories and bags
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.
| Word | Definition | |
|---|---|---|
| Small means not large in size. | ||
| Medium means between small and large. | ||
| Large means bigger than medium. | ||
| Size 8 means a specific clothing size. | ||
| The waist is the part of the body above the hips. | ||
| Red means the color of blood or a tomato. | ||
| Striped means having lines of color. | ||
| Plain means without a pattern or decoration. | ||
| Dotted means covered with small spots. | ||
| Patterned means decorated with repeated shapes or designs. |
Sizes colors and patterns
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.
Clothing use by season
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.
| Region | Variant | Definition | Example | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| trousers | In the UK, trousers is the common word for clothing for the legs. | He bought new trousers for the interview. | ||
| pants | In the US, pants is the common word for clothing for the legs. | She needs new pants for work. | ||
| jumper | In the UK, jumper is a common word for a warm knitted top. | I wore a jumper because the room was cold. | ||
| sweater | In the US, sweater is the common word for a warm knitted top. | I wore a sweater because the room was cold. | ||
| jewellery | In the UK, jewellery is the usual spelling for decorative items worn on the body. | She keeps her jewellery in a box. | ||
| jewelry | In 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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UK and US clothing words
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.
Take the Quiz!
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