Women’s clothes vocabulary is useful for shopping, describing outfits, and talking about what someone is wearing. In this article, you’ll learn common women’s clothing, footwear, dress styles, and accessories in English with their meanings and example sentences.
Common Women’s Clothes in English
Here are common women’s clothes in English with their meanings and example sentences.
T-shirt
A casual top with short sleeves and no collar.
Example: She wore a white T-shirt with jeans.
Top
A general word for a piece of clothing worn on the upper body.
Example: She wore a blue top with black trousers.
Blouse
A shirt-like garment for women, often made from a light or soft fabric.
Example: She wore a white blouse to work.
Shirt
A garment for the upper body, usually with a collar, sleeves, and buttons down the front.
Example: She wore a striped shirt with jeans.
Tank top
A sleeveless top with shoulder straps.
Example: She wore a tank top on the hot summer day.
Crop top
A short top that leaves part of the waist or stomach uncovered.
Example: She wore a crop top with high-waisted jeans.
Sweater (UK: jumper)
A warm knitted garment worn on the upper body.
Example: She wore a wool sweater on the cold morning.
Cardigan
A knitted garment that opens at the front and is worn over other clothes.
Example: She wore a soft cardigan over her blouse.
Sweatshirt
A casual top made from thick, soft fabric, usually with long sleeves.
Example: She wore a sweatshirt while relaxing at home.
Hoodie
A casual sweatshirt or top with a hood.
Example: She put on a hoodie before going for a walk.
Turtleneck
A top or sweater with a high collar that fits closely around the neck.
Example: She wore a black turtleneck with a long skirt.
Dress
A one-piece garment that covers the upper body and extends down over the legs.
Example: She wore a blue dress to the party.
Skirt
A garment worn from the waist down that does not have separate sections for the legs.
Example: She wore a black skirt with a white blouse.
Jeans
Trousers made from denim.
Example: She wore blue jeans with a white shirt.
Pants (UK: trousers)
Clothing worn from the waist down with separate sections for each leg.
Example: She wore black pants with a blouse.
Leggings
Close-fitting trousers made from soft, stretchy fabric.
Example: She wore black leggings with a long top.
Joggers
Soft, casual trousers, usually with an elastic or drawstring waist and fitted ankles.
Example: She wore joggers and a hoodie while relaxing at home.
Shorts
Short trousers that leave most of the legs uncovered.
Example: She wore denim shorts and a T-shirt on the hot summer day.
Jumpsuit
A one-piece garment that combines a top with trousers.
Example: She wore a black jumpsuit to dinner.
Romper (UK: playsuit)
A one-piece garment that combines a top with shorts.
Example: She wore a floral romper on the warm afternoon.
Blazer
A smart jacket that can be worn with trousers, skirts, dresses, or jeans.
Example: She wore a black blazer over her blouse.
Jacket
A short outer garment worn over other clothes.
Example: She took a light jacket with her for the evening.
Puffer jacket
A warm, padded jacket designed to keep the body warm.
Example: She wore a puffer jacket on the cold winter day.
Coat
An outer garment worn over other clothes, especially in cold weather.
Example: She wore a warm coat on the cold morning.
Raincoat
A waterproof coat worn to keep the body dry in the rain.
Example: She put on her raincoat before going outside.
Swimsuit
A garment worn for swimming.
Example: She wore a swimsuit at the beach.
Bikini
A two-piece swimsuit consisting of a top and a bottom.
Example: She wore a bikini while relaxing by the pool.
Pajamas (UK: pyjamas)
Loose, comfortable clothes worn for sleeping.
Example: She changed into her pajamas before going to bed.
Nightgown (UK: nightdress)
A loose dress worn for sleeping.
Example: She put on her nightgown before going to bed.
Bathrobe
A loose garment worn over nightwear or before and after bathing.
Example: She put on her bathrobe after taking a shower.
Women’s Underwear
Women’s underwear includes several common garments designed to be worn underneath other clothes.
Bra
An undergarment worn to support and cover the breasts.
Example: She bought a new bra at the clothing store.
Sports bra
A supportive bra designed to be worn during exercise or sports.
Example: She wore a sports bra for her workout.
Strapless bra
A bra without shoulder straps, often worn under clothes that leave the shoulders uncovered.
Example: She wore a strapless bra under her evening dress.
Underwear
Clothing worn underneath other clothes, usually next to the skin.
Example: She packed clean underwear for the trip.
Panties (UK: knickers)
A common type of women’s underwear worn on the lower body.
Example: She bought a pack of cotton panties.
Tights
Close-fitting clothing worn over the legs that usually covers the feet as well.
Example: She wore black tights under her dress.
Stockings
Close-fitting coverings worn on the legs that usually reach the thighs and cover the feet.
Example: She wore stockings with her formal outfit.
Slip
A light undergarment worn under a dress or skirt.
Example: She wore a slip under her dress.
Women’s Shoes and Footwear
Women’s footwear includes everyday shoes, formal styles, sports shoes, and boots.
Sneakers (UK: trainers)
Comfortable casual or sports shoes, usually with rubber soles.
Example: She wore white sneakers with jeans.
Running shoes
Sports shoes designed for running and exercise.
Example: She put on her running shoes before going for a run.
Flats
Flat or very low-heeled shoes, often worn for everyday or smart occasions.
Example: She wore black flats to work.
Loafers
Low shoes without laces that can easily be slipped on and off.
Example: She wore brown loafers with trousers.
High heels
Shoes with high heels that raise the back of the foot.
Example: She wore black high heels with her evening dress.
Pumps (UK: court shoes)
Low-cut shoes without straps or fastenings, usually with a heel.
Example: She wore black pumps to the formal event.
Wedges
Shoes with a wedge-shaped heel that forms one solid piece with the sole.
Example: She wore wedges with her summer dress.
Sandals
Open shoes with straps, commonly worn in warm weather.
Example: She wore sandals while walking along the beach.
Flip-flops
Light, open footwear with a strap that passes between the toes.
Example: She wore flip-flops by the pool.
Boots
Footwear that covers the foot and extends above the ankle.
Example: She wore leather boots on the cold day.
Ankle boots
Boots that cover the foot and reach to or just above the ankle.
Example: She wore black ankle boots with jeans.
Knee-high boots
Boots that extend up the leg to around the knee.
Example: She wore knee-high boots with a skirt.
Slippers
Soft, comfortable footwear worn indoors.
Example: She put on her slippers when she got home.
Women’s Accessories
Here are common accessories used with women’s clothing and outfits.
Handbag
A bag, often carried by hand or over the shoulder, used for personal belongings.
Example: She carried her phone and wallet in her handbag.
Purse
A bag used for carrying personal items, especially in American English.
Example: She put her keys in her purse.
Clutch
A small handbag designed to be held in the hand, often used for formal occasions.
Example: She carried a black clutch with her evening dress.
Tote bag
A large, open bag with two handles.
Example: She carried her books in a canvas tote bag.
Belt
A strip of material worn around the waist to hold clothes in place or for decoration.
Example: She wore a thin belt around her waist.
Scarf
A piece of fabric worn around the neck, head, or shoulders for warmth or decoration.
Example: She wore a silk scarf around her neck.
Hat
A covering worn on the head for warmth, protection, or style.
Example: She wore a wide-brimmed hat at the beach.
Beanie
A soft, close-fitting hat usually worn in cold weather.
Example: She put on a warm beanie before going outside.
Gloves
Hand coverings with separate sections for each finger and the thumb.
Example: She wore gloves to keep her hands warm.
Sunglasses
Dark glasses worn to protect the eyes from bright sunlight.
Example: She put on her sunglasses before leaving the house.
Watch
A small timepiece worn on the wrist.
Example: She checked the time on her watch.
Necklace
A piece of jewelry worn around the neck.
Example: She wore a silver necklace with her dress.
Earrings
Pieces of jewelry worn on the ears.
Example: She wore small gold earrings to dinner.
Bracelet
A piece of jewelry worn around the wrist.
Example: She wore a silver bracelet on her left wrist.
Ring
A small circular piece of jewelry worn on a finger.
Example: She wore a gold ring on her right hand.
Headband
A band worn around or over the head to hold the hair in place or for decoration.
Example: She wore a black headband to keep her hair away from her face.
Hair clip
A small accessory used to hold hair in place.
Example: She used a hair clip to keep her hair back.
Types of Women’s Dresses
Dresses have many different styles and are often named by their length, shape, or the occasion they are designed for.
Evening dress
A formal dress worn for evening events and special occasions.
Example: She wore a long evening dress to the formal dinner.
Cocktail dress
A smart or semi-formal dress worn for parties and special occasions.
Example: She wore a black cocktail dress to the party.
Sundress
A light, casual dress designed for warm weather, often with thin straps or no sleeves.
Example: She wore a floral sundress on the hot summer day.
Wrap dress
A dress with one side wrapped across the other and tied or fastened at the waist.
Example: She wore a wrap dress to lunch.
Wedding dress
A dress worn by a bride at a wedding.
Example: She chose a white wedding dress for the ceremony.
Maxi dress
A long dress that usually reaches the ankles or floor.
Example: She wore a maxi dress to the summer event.
Midi dress
A dress that usually reaches between the knee and ankle.
Example: She wore a midi dress with flats.
Mini dress
A short dress that ends above the knee.
Example: She wore a mini dress to the party.
American and British Women’s Clothing Vocabulary
Some women’s clothing words are different in American and British English. The same garment may have a different name depending on the variety of English, such as pants and trousers or sneakers and trainers. The table below shows some common examples.
| American English | British English |
|---|---|
| pants | trousers |
| sweater | jumper |
| sneakers | trainers |
| panties | knickers |
| nightgown | nightdress |
| bathrobe | dressing gown |
| romper | playsuit |
| pumps | court shoes |
| purse | handbag |
| tank top | vest top |
