Clothes Vocabulary: Clothing, Accessories and Useful Phrases

Learn English clothes vocabulary, including clothing, shoes, accessories, materials, patterns, useful verbs and exercises with answers.

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“This jacket fits me, but it doesn’t suit me.”

The size is right; the style isn’t. Clothes vocabulary helps you explain both.

Learn clothing names, materials, patterns and verbs in British English, with common American alternatives.

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Everyday clothes

Clothes is plural: “My clothes are wet.” Clothing is uncountable: “outdoor clothing”. For one thing, say an item of clothing, a piece of clothing or a jacket.

Everyday clothes: clothing vocabulary and examples
Word Meaning Example
T-shirt a casual top, usually with short sleeves I packed three T-shirts.
shirt a top with a collar, usually with buttons He wore a blue shirt.
jumper a knitted top pulled over your head Bring a jumper for the evening.
cardigan a knitted top that opens at the front My cardigan has wooden buttons.
hoodie a casual top with a hood I left my hoodie at home.
jacket / coat outer layers; a coat is often longer or warmer Take your coat: it might snow.
trousers clothing with a separate section for each leg These trousers are too long.
jeans trousers made from denim I usually wear jeans at weekends.
shorts short trousers ending around or above the knee He changed into shorts.
dress / skirt a dress covers the upper body and legs; a skirt starts at the waist She chose a skirt and blouse.
pyjamas clothes worn in bed I bought some cotton pyjamas.

Underwear, such as underpants and bras, goes beneath other clothes.

An outfit is clothes worn together: “That’s a lovely outfit."

Graphic titled 'Everyday clothes' showing six clothing items with names in British English: T-shirt (a plain T-shirt), jumper (a wool jumper), jacket (a blue jacket), trousers (a pair of trousers), dress (a cotton dress), and trainers (a pair of trainers).

Formal and work clothes

Formal clothes suit interviews or ceremonies. Smart casual combines neat clothing with a relaxed style. Check the dress code: clothing rules or expectations vary between settings.

Formal and work clothes: clothing vocabulary and examples
Word Meaning Example
suit a matching jacket and trousers or skirt She wore a suit to the interview.
blazer a smart jacket, often worn separately His blazer goes well with jeans.
blouse a top traditionally worn by women, often loose I chose a plain white blouse.
tie a strip of fabric worn around the collar Do I need to wear a tie?
uniform clothes required by a school or organisation Staff wear a navy uniform.
overalls protective clothing worn over other clothes The mechanic changed into overalls.

Shoes and accessories

Footwear means shoes and similar things worn on your feet. Accessories are items added to clothing, such as a belt or scarf.

Shoes and accessories: clothing vocabulary and examples
Word Meaning Example
trainers casual or sports shoes I wear trainers for long walks.
boots shoes covering the ankle or more of the leg My boots keep my feet dry.
sandals / slippers open shoes / soft indoor shoes I keep slippers by the door.
socks / tights foot coverings / a close-fitting covering for both legs These socks have holes in them.
belt a strip worn around the waist I need a belt for these trousers.
scarf / gloves a neck covering / coverings for your hands Pack a scarf and gloves.
cap / hat a cap usually has a peak; hat is the broader word Wear a hat in the sun.
handbag / backpack a small bag carried by hand or shoulder / a bag worn on your back My keys are in my backpack.
jewellery decorative items such as rings and necklaces She makes silver jewellery.

Use a pair of for matching shoes or gloves, or one item called trousers, jeans, shorts or tights:

“These jeans are new”
“This pair of jeans is new.”

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Materials, patterns and fit

Describe a garment by its material, pattern and fit:

“a loose cotton shirt”

tells us its material and how it fits.

Materials, patterns and fit: clothing vocabulary and examples
Group Words and meanings Example
Materials cotton; wool; linen; silk; leather; denim (the fabric used for jeans) It’s a wool jumper.
No pattern plain: one colour without a pattern He wore a plain black T-shirt.
Lines and squares striped: lines; checked: a pattern of squares I like your striped scarf.
Other patterns floral: flowers; spotted: dots She chose a floral dress.
Fit tight: close to the body; loose: with extra room The sleeves are too tight.
Fit and comfort well-fitting: the right size and shape; comfortable: pleasant to wear I need comfortable shoes.

Say:

“made of leather”

or put the material before the noun: a cotton shirt, a wool coat, a silk scarf.

Fit describes size or shape; suit describes appearance or suitability.

“The jacket fits, but the colour doesn’t suit me.”

Well-fitting clothes may still be uncomfortable.

For questions about sizes, fitting rooms and returns, use our shopping vocabulary guide.

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Verbs for wearing and changing clothes

Choose the action or situation you mean.

  • Wear: have something on your body. “I’m wearing a jacket.”
  • Put on: move clothing onto your body. “Put on your jacket before we leave.”
  • Take off: remove clothing. “Take off your wet jacket.”
  • Try on: put something on to check its fit or appearance. “Can I try on the blue jacket?”
  • Get dressed: put your clothes on. “I got dressed before breakfast.”
  • Change into: remove what you are wearing and put on different clothes. “I changed into dry clothes.”

Say:

“Try on the jacket”

or

“Try the jacket on.”

With put on, take off and try on, pronouns go in the middle:

“Try it on”, not “Try on it”.
Diagram explaining the difference between 'put on,' 'wear,' and 'take off' with a jacket illustration: 'Put on' means moving the jacket onto your body, 'Wear' means having the jacket on your body, and 'Take off' means removing the jacket from your body, with example sentences for each action. It also notes the use with pronouns as 'Put it on' and 'Take it off.'

Dress up means wear special or formal clothes:

“We dressed up for the wedding”)

or a costume:

“He dressed up as a pirate”

Check the context.

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Useful clothing collocations

Learn these common word combinations.

Useful clothing collocations: clothing vocabulary and examples
Phrase Meaning Example
a pair of trousers one item with two leg sections I need a new pair of trousers.
a change of clothes extra clothes to change into Bring a change of clothes.
casual clothes clothes for relaxed situations We can wear casual clothes on Fridays.
smart clothes neat clothes suitable for a more formal setting Wear smart clothes for the meal.
a matching outfit clothes whose colours or styles go together She put together a matching outfit.
roll up your sleeves fold your sleeves upwards Roll up your sleeves before washing up.

Describe an outfit:

“I’m wearing a plain T-shirt, jeans and white trainers.”

Practise longer answers with our IELTS clothes and fashion questions.

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British and American differences

These are common equivalents; some speakers use words from both varieties.

British and American differences: clothing vocabulary and examples
British English American English Meaning
trousers pants clothing covering both legs
jumper sweater a knitted upper-body garment
trainers sneakers casual or sports shoes
pyjamas pajamas clothes worn in bed

Pants commonly means underwear in British English and trousers in American English. Sweater is also understood in Britain. Recognise both varieties, even if you mainly use one.

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Exercises and answers

Exercise 1: Choose the word

Choose the best option in each sentence.

  1. A knitted top that opens at the front is a _____. (cardigan / skirt)
  2. These trousers are made from denim. They are _____. (jeans / tights)
  3. A shirt with a pattern of squares is _____. (checked / striped)
  4. This jacket is too small. It doesn’t _____ me. (fit / suit)
  5. That shade of blue looks lovely on you. It _____ you. (fits / suits)

Exercise 2: Complete the verbs

Use each once: wearing, take off, put on, try on, get dressed.

  1. I’m _____ a coat right now.
  2. Please _____ your shoes before entering.
  3. It’s cold outside. _____ your coat before you leave.
  4. Can I _____ this jacket to check the size?
  5. I always _____ before breakfast.

Exercise 3: Words and corrections

  1. Replace the American word with British English: sneakers.
  2. Replace the American word with British English: pajamas.
  3. Correct the mistake: “My clothes is dirty.”
  4. Correct the mistake: “Can I try on it?”
  5. Complete the phrase: “Bring a _____ of clothes in case you get wet.”

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Answers and explanations

  1. cardigan — A cardigan opens at the front.
  2. jeans — Jeans are denim trousers.
  3. checked — Checked means squares; striped means lines.
  4. fit — Fit describes size or shape.
  5. suits — Suit describes whether the colour looks good on someone.
  6. wearing — Wear means have clothing on; am needs the -ing form.
  7. take off — Take off means remove clothing or footwear.
  8. Put on — Put on describes moving clothing onto your body.
  9. try on — Try on means check clothing’s fit or appearance.
  10. get dressed — Get dressed means put your clothes on.
  11. trainers — Trainers is the usual British equivalent of sneakers.
  12. pyjamas — The British spelling is pyjamas.
  13. My clothes are dirty. — Clothes is plural, so it takes are.
  14. Can I try it on? — With a pronoun, put the object between try and on.
  15. change — A change of clothes means extra clothes to change into.

Describe your outfit in three sentences. Include a material or pattern and a reason for your choice.

For short weekday practice on LINE, LEW Daily offers listening, useful English, a chance to reply and feedback.

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