Clothes and shoes come up on almost every shop visit, so it helps to know the names. Here are the most common words, the sizes and a few phrases for the fitting room.
12 words for clothes and shoes
- a T-shirta short-sleeved cotton top
- a sweatera warm knitted top (British English: jumper)
- a jacketa short outer layer with sleeves
- a coata long, warm outer layer for winter
- a dressone piece of clothing with a top and skirt in one
- a skirtworn from the waist down
- a shirta top with buttons and a collar
- a pair of jeansdenim trousers; one pair, not one jeans
- shortsshort trousers that end above the knee
- socksworn on the feet, under shoes
- sneakerscasual sports shoes (British English: trainers)
- bootsshoes that cover the ankle or more
Jeans, shorts, socks and trousers are plural: say these jeans are nice, and for one pair say a pair of socks. Careful: in British English pants means underwear, so use trousers for the clothes you wear over your legs.
Sizes and phrases in the fitting room
Clothing sizes are letters: S (small), M (medium), L (large), XL (extra large). Shoe sizes are numbers, for example I wear a size 38. Useful phrases:
- Where is the fitting room? — the place where you try clothes on
- What size do you need? — a question the shop assistant may ask
- I wear a medium. — my size is M
- These shoes are too tight. — they squeeze your feet
For asking for a different size and trying something on, read Do you have it in a smaller size? and Can I try this on?.
Check yourself
Say it in English, then reveal the answer:
1.You need one pair of socks.
Answer
I need a pair of socks.
2.Tell the assistant the jacket is too big for you.
Answer
This jacket is too big for me.
3.Tell the assistant your size is M.
Answer
I wear a medium.
4.Say that the boots are too tight.
Answer
These boots are too tight.
To talk about shopping with confidence, not just know the words, come to a free trial lesson.
