Essential Clothing Vocabulary in English

Learn Basic Clothes Terms with Practical Examples

Clothing is a universal topic, and knowing how to discuss it is essential in English. This lesson will explore basic clothing vocabulary, providing clear explanations and examples for each item. Whether you're shopping, getting dressed, or just chatting about fashion, these words are fundamental for everyday conversations.

Examples of how to use in a sentence

1. Blouse: A lightweight, often dressy top worn by women.

   • Example: "She wore a silk blouse to her job interview."

2. Trousers: A piece of clothing covering the body from the waist to the ankles, with a separate part for each leg.

   • Example: "He bought a new pair of trousers for the wedding."

3. Cardigan: A knitted sweater fastening down the front, typically with long sleeves.

   • Example: "She wrapped herself in a warm cardigan during the chilly evening."

4. Sandals: Open shoes with a sole and straps that secure the shoe to the foot.

   • Example: "I packed my sandals for our beach vacation."

5. Mini-skirt: A short skirt that ends well above the knees.

   • Example: "She chose a mini-skirt to wear to the party."

6. Boxers: Loose-fitting men's undergarments.

   • Example: "He preferred wearing boxers over briefs."

7. Vest: A sleeveless upper-body garment.

   • Example: "He wore a vest over his shirt for a formal look."

8. Jumper: A long-sleeved pullover sweater.

   • Example: "She knitted a colourful jumper for her grandson."

9. Belt: A strip of material worn around the waist to support clothes or for decoration.

   • Example: "He tightened his belt around his waist."

10. Shorts: Trousers that reach only to the thighs or knees.

    • Example: "It's hot today, so I'll wear shorts."

11. Shoes: A covering for the foot, typically made of leather, having a sturdy sole and not reaching above the ankle.

    • Example: "She polished her shoes until they shone."

12. Dress: A one-piece garment for a woman or girl that covers the body and extends over the legs.

    • Example: "She wore her favourite dress to the dinner."

13. Suit: A set of outer clothes made of the same fabric and designed to be worn together.

    • Example: "He looked sharp in his new business suit."

14. Garter Belt: A belt around the waist or hips to hold up stockings or socks.

    • Example: "The bride wore a traditional garter belt."

15. Cap: A soft, flat hat with a curved part at the front, worn by both men and women.

    • Example: "He put on his baseball cap and went to the game."

16. Socks: A garment for the foot and lower part of the leg, typically knitted from wool, cotton, or nylon.

    • Example: "She bought a new pair of socks to match her sneakers."

17. T-Shirt: A short-sleeved casual top, generally made of cotton, having the shape of a T when spread out flat.

    • Example: "He wore a plain white T-shirt under his shirt."

18. Boots: A sturdy footwear item covering the foot, ankle, and sometimes the lower leg.

    • Example: "She laced up her boots before heading out in the snow."

19. Tie: A long cloth is worn around the neck, under the collar, and tied in front to hang down the chest.

    • Example: "He chose a red tie for his presentation."

20. Jeans: Denim trousers, typically blue, worn casually.

    • Example: "On weekends, I usually wear jeans."

21. Coat: An outer garment with sleeves, worn outdoors and typically extending below the hips.

    • Example: "He put on his coat before leaving the house."

22. Jacket: A short coat, typically extending to the waist or hips.

    • Example: "She grabbed her leather jacket on her way out."

23. Bra: An undergarment worn by women to support the breasts.

    • Example: "She bought a new bra for her workout sessions."

24. Stockings: Close-fitting, elastic garments covering the leg from the foot up to the thigh or the knee.

    • Example: "She wore stockings to keep her legs warm."

25. High-heel Shoes: Shoes in which the heels are raised significantly higher than the toes.

    • Example: "She wore her best high-heel shoes to the gala."

26. Knickers: Underpants worn by women or girls.

    • Example: "She preferred comfortable knickers for daily wear."

27. Shirt: A garment for the upper body made of cloth, with a collar, sleeves, and buttons down the front.

    • Example: "He ironed his shirt for the meeting."

28. Bow Tie: A tie in the form of a bow at the throat, often worn with a tuxedo.

    • Example: "He opted for a bow tie for the formal event."

29. Hat: A shaped covering for the head worn for warmth, as a fashion item, or as part of a uniform.

    • Example: "She wore a wide-brimmed hat to shield herself from the sun."

30. Underpants: An undergarment worn by men or women over the pelvic area, circling the waist and splitting to cover the upper part of the legs, sometimes extending down to the knees.

    • Example: "He bought new underpants for his trip."

31. Skirt: A woman's outer garment fastened around the waist and hanging down around the legs.

    • Example: "She chose a long skirt for the office."

Dressing Up Your Vocabulary: Clothes in English

Through this lesson, you've better understood basic clothing items and how to use them in sentences. This vocabulary is useful for personal use and in shopping, fashion discussions, and everyday conversation.