Clothing and Footwear

Basic vocabulary: names of clothes and shoes

Shirt - a garment for the upper body, usually with a collar and sleeves, worn by both men and women.

Trousers - clothing that covers both legs separately; called "pants" in American English.

Skirt - a garment that hangs from the waist and covers part or all of the legs; typically worn by women.

Shoes - items of footwear that protect and comfort the feet; they come in many styles for different occasions.

Describing clothes: adjectives and style

When you describe clothing in English, common adjectives include colours, size adjectives and words that describe the fit or style. Colour vocabulary (for example red, blue, black, white) is essential, as are words such as tight, loose, fitted, casual and formal. Use phrases like "a loose sweater" or "a fitted jacket" to give a clear idea of how clothes look on a person.

Other descriptive words include long/short (to indicate length), sleeveless/long-sleeved (to describe sleeves) and patterned/plain (to describe design). You can also describe clothes by era or fashion influence, for example "vintage dress", "modern blazer" or "sporty trainers".

Materials and patterns

Cotton - a soft, breathable natural fibre often used for t-shirts, shirts and casual wear.

Leather - a durable material made from animal hide, commonly used for shoes, belts and jackets.

Patterns and textures are another important part of clothing vocabulary. Words to learn include striped, checked (or plaid in American English), floral, polka-dot, plain, denim and knitted. Knowing material words helps when discussing comfort and care: for instance, wool keeps you warm, while linen is cool and breathable in summer.

Clothing for occasions: formal, casual, sportswear

Different occasions require different types of clothing. Formal wear includes suits, ties, evening gowns and dress shoes. Business casual typically allows trousers or skirts with blouses or collared shirts without full suit jackets. Casual clothes include jeans, t-shirts and sneakers; they are comfortable and suitable for everyday activities.

Sport-specific clothing includes trainers (or sneakers), shorts, tracksuits and specialised items like swimwear or cycling shorts. It''s useful to know verbs and phrases associated with dressing: "to get dressed", "to change into", "to try on" and "to take off" when talking about putting on or removing clothes.

Shopping, sizes and useful phrases

When shopping for clothes in English-speaking environments, you will encounter size labels and fitting-room vocabulary. Common useful phrases include: "Do you have this in a different size?", "Can I try this on?" and "Is this on sale?". Sizes may be expressed as small, medium, large, extra-large or by numerical sizing that varies by country and brand.

Fitting room - a small room in a shop where you can try on clothes before you buy them.

Pay attention to return policies and material labels. Labels might include washing instructions and fabric composition, which help you decide whether an item is suitable for your needs. Asking a salesperson for advice on fit and care is common: "Does this run small?", "Is it machine-washable?" are frequent questions.

Cultural notes and dress code

Clothing reflects cultural norms and can be an expression of identity. Different countries and communities have conventions about modesty, colour symbolism and appropriate clothing for events. For example, some workplaces have strict dress codes requiring suits, while others promote business casual or creative attire.

Understanding dress codes is important for social situations. Terms you might see on invitations include casual, smart casual, semi-formal, formal and black-tie. Each term gives guidance on the expected level of dress and can vary slightly by region and tradition.

Care and maintenance: washing, storing and repairs

Clothing care vocabulary includes washing instructions such as machine-wash, hand-wash, dry-clean only and tumble dry. Learning these terms helps you preserve garments and avoid damage. Always check the care label before washing a delicate item, and separate colours to prevent staining.

Dry-clean - a method of cleaning that uses chemical solvents instead of water, used for delicate garments that cannot be washed normally.

If a button falls off or a seam opens, basic repair verbs such as sew, mend, stitch and hem will help you describe or ask for help. Storing seasonal clothes in garment bags or boxes and using moth repellents for wool items will extend their life.

Practice sentences and classroom activities

To practise vocabulary, make short dialogues in which one person describes an outfit and another guesses the occasion. Role-play can include shopping scenarios, returns at a store, or asking for clothing advice. Use flashcards to memorise material and pattern vocabulary and sorting tasks to group items by type, season or formality.

Classroom writing tasks might ask students to describe their daily outfits, explain what they would wear to different events, or read a clothing label and summarise the care instructions. Listening exercises can involve short announcements or shop conversations focusing on colours, sizes and preferences.

Visual support and further resources

Using pictures helps memorise vocabulary and recognise items by sight. You can label images with words such as jacket, blouse, sandals, boots and belt to create a visual dictionary. Use {IMAGE_0} for a basic outfit illustration and {IMAGE_1} for a shoes and accessories chart to support learning.

For further study, consult graded readers with fashion-related stories, watch short videos about dressing for occasions, and practise with online quizzes that test matching items to their names and descriptions. Regular speaking practice with classmates or language partners will build confidence in using clothing vocabulary naturally.