Tops and Outerwear
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| shirt | A garment with a collar, usually for men. He wore a white shirt. |
| blouse | A loose shirt, typically for women. She has a silk blouse. |
| jumper / sweater | A warm knitted top. Put on your jumper — it's cold! |
| hoodie | A casual sweatshirt with a hood. He loves wearing hoodies. |
| jacket | A short outer coat. Don't forget your jacket! |
| coat | A long outer garment for cold weather. She bought a new winter coat. |
| T-shirt | A casual, short-sleeved top. He wore a plain white T-shirt. |
Bottoms and Full Outfits
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| trousers / pants | Long garments worn on legs. He wears trousers to work. |
| jeans | Casual trousers made of denim. She always wears blue jeans. |
| shorts | Short trousers worn in warm weather. He wore shorts to the beach. |
| dress | A one-piece garment for women/girls. She wore a red dress to the party. |
| skirt | A garment that hangs from the waist. She wore a floral skirt. |
| suit | A matching jacket and trousers/skirt. He wears a suit to the office. |
| uniform | A set of clothes worn for school or work. Students wear a uniform. |
Tip British English vs American English — some clothing words differ: trousers (BE) = pants (AE) · jumper (BE) = sweater (AE) · trainers (BE) = sneakers (AE) · knickers (BE) = underwear (AE). Both are correct — just be aware of the difference!
Footwear and Accessories
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| shoes | Standard footwear. She bought a new pair of shoes. |
| boots | Tall sturdy footwear. He wore leather boots. |
| trainers / sneakers | Sports or casual shoes. I need new trainers for PE. |
| socks | Soft garments worn on feet inside shoes. I can't find my socks! |
| hat | A covering for the head. She wore a sun hat at the beach. |
| scarf | A strip of fabric worn around the neck. A warm wool scarf. |
| gloves | Coverings for the hands. It's cold — wear your gloves. |
| belt | A strap worn around the waist. He tightened his belt. |
| underwear | Clothes worn under other clothes. Always pack clean underwear. |
Getting Dressed — Useful Phrases
| English | Meaning / Example |
|---|---|
| to wear | To have clothing on your body. She wears glasses. |
| to put on | To dress yourself in something. Put on your coat! |
| to take off | To remove a piece of clothing. Take off your shoes at the door. |
| to get dressed | To put on all your clothes. I get dressed at 7 am. |
| to try on | To put on clothing to see if it fits. Can I try this on? |
| to suit | To look good on someone. That colour really suits you. |
Real world: Getting dressed and shopping for clothes
"I always wear jeans and a hoodie at the weekend, but I put on a shirt and smart trousers for school."
"Excuse me, can I try this jacket on? — Of course, the fitting room is just over there."
"In winter I wear a thick coat, a scarf, gloves, and boots. In summer I prefer shorts and a T-shirt."
Practice Problems
What is the American English word for 'trousers'?
Show answer
pants
What is the British English word for 'sneakers'?
Show answer
trainers
Fill in: 'Put ___ your coat before you go outside.'
Show answer
on (Put on your coat)
Name two accessories you wear in cold weather.
Show answer
scarf / gloves / hat (any two)