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Clothing and sewing vocabulary words

This list suits ESL learners, kids, and beginner sewers who want vocabulary for everyday clothes and simple sewing tasks. Use it to describe an outfit, shop for clothing, or follow a basic sewing pattern with more confidence, whether you're picking out an outfit or fixing a torn hem at home.

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Clothing and sewing vocabulary words

31 words
WordMeaningIn a sentenceSave
shirtnounA garment worn on the upper body, typically with sleeves, a collar, and buttons down the front.He carefully ironed his best white shirt before the important job interview.
trousersnounAn outer garment covering the body from the waist down, with a separate section for each leg.He ironed his trousers carefully before the job interview.
dressnounA one-piece garment for women or girls that covers the body and extends down over the legs.She wore a bright yellow dress to the outdoor summer wedding.
skirtnounA garment worn by women or girls that hangs from the waist and covers part of the legs.She wore a long floral skirt to the outdoor summer wedding.
jacketnounA short coat, usually reaching the hips, worn over other clothing for warmth or style.He grabbed a light jacket before heading out into the cool evening air.
coatnounAn outer garment with sleeves, worn over other clothes for warmth or protection.She grabbed her coat as soon as she felt the cold wind outside.
sweaternounA knitted garment worn on the upper body, typically for warmth.She pulled on a thick wool sweater before heading out into the cold.
scarfnounA strip of fabric worn around the neck or head for warmth or decoration.She wrapped a wool scarf around her neck before stepping into the cold wind.
glovenounA covering for the hand, typically with separate sections for each finger, worn for warmth or protection.She pulled on a wool glove before stepping out into the freezing wind.
socknounA piece of clothing made to cover the foot and lower leg, worn inside a shoe.He pulled on a warm wool sock before putting on his winter boots.
sandalnounA lightweight open shoe held onto the foot by straps, typically worn in warm weather.She packed a pair of sandals for the beach vacation.
sneakernounA casual sports shoe with a flexible rubber sole, worn for comfort or athletic activity.He laced up his sneakers before heading out for his morning run.
blousenounA loose-fitting upper garment for women, typically buttoned at the front and worn tucked or untucked.She wore a silk blouse with a simple black skirt to the interview.
cardigannounA knitted sweater that opens down the front, usually fastened with buttons or a zipper.She threw a gray cardigan over her dress as the evening turned cool.
jumpsuitnounA one-piece garment combining a top and trousers, worn for fashion, work, or as a uniform.She wore a bright orange jumpsuit to the summer party instead of a dress.
hemnounThe finished edge of a piece of cloth, folded and sewn to prevent it from fraying.The tailor shortened the dress by adjusting its hem two inches.
seamnounA line where two pieces of fabric, material, or other surfaces are joined together.The tailor pressed the seam flat so it would lie smoothly against the fabric.
zippernounA fastening device with two rows of interlocking teeth joined or separated by a sliding tab.The zipper on her jacket got stuck halfway up in the cold wind.
buttonnounA small disc or knob fastened to clothing, or pressed to operate a device.She sewed a loose button back onto her favorite winter coat.
collarnounThe part of a shirt, coat, or other garment that fits around the neck.He straightened his collar before walking into the interview.
sleevenounThe part of a garment that covers all or part of the arm.He rolled up his sleeve before washing his hands at the sink.
cuffverbTo put handcuffs on someone, or to strike someone lightly with an open hand.The officer cuffed the suspect and read him his rights.
fabricnounCloth made by weaving, knitting, or felting fibers together, used for clothing and other items.She bought soft cotton fabric to sew a new set of curtains.
cottonnounA soft white fiber that grows around the seeds of the cotton plant and is spun into cloth.The farmers harvested the cotton before the autumn storms could damage the crop.
denimnounA sturdy cotton fabric, typically blue, used to make jeans and other durable clothing.She wore a denim jacket over her t-shirt for the concert.
threadnounA thin, long strand of twisted fiber used for sewing or weaving cloth.She used a needle and thread to fix the torn hem of her jacket.
needlenounA thin, pointed metal instrument used for sewing, injecting medicine, or as a pointer.She threaded the needle carefully before repairing the torn sleeve.
patternnounAn arrangement or sequence in which parts repeat in a recognizable way.The tiles form a pattern of blue and white squares.
stitchnounA single loop of thread made by a needle when sewing, knitting, or closing a wound.The tailor added an extra stitch to reinforce the seam along the jacket sleeve.
tailornounA person whose job is to make, fit, or alter clothing, especially suits and formal wear.The tailor took precise measurements before cutting the fabric for the suit.
fastenernounA device, such as a button, zipper, or clip, used to hold two things firmly together.The jacket has a metal fastener instead of a zipper down the front.

Sewing vocabulary

Basic sewing vocabulary includes the hem, the finished edge of a garment, and the seam, where two pieces of fabric are joined. A tailor uses a needle and thread to stitch fabric, often following a pattern, while fasteners like a zipper or button hold a garment closed.

Everyday clothing words

Everyday clothing vocabulary covers items like a shirt, trousers, and dress, along with outerwear such as a jacket, coat, or sweater. Details like the collar, sleeve, and cuff describe specific parts of a garment, while fabric words like cotton and denim describe what clothes are made from.

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a hem and a seam?

A hem is the folded and stitched edge of a garment, while a seam is the line where two pieces of fabric are sewn together.

What clothing vocabulary is useful for beginners?

Beginners benefit from learning basic garment names like shirt, dress, and jacket, along with simple sewing terms like button, zipper, and stitch.