Phrasal verbs are combinations of a verb + preposition or adverb that create a new meaning. They’re very common in everyday English and often don’t translate directly from the base verb. This article focuses on useful clothing-related phrasal verbs — expressions used when dressing, undressing, trying on, or talking about clothes.
These verbs will help you speak more naturally about clothing in real situations like getting dressed, shopping, or choosing outfits. Each one comes with a clear meaning and example so you can learn how to use them correctly.
20 Clothing Phrasal Verbs in English
Here are 20 everyday phrasal verbs related to clothing. Each one includes a simple meaning and example sentence to help you understand how it’s used in real conversations.
1. Put on
Meaning: To dress yourself in an item of clothing
– She put on her jacket before going outside.
2. Take off
Meaning: To remove clothing or accessories
– Please take off your shoes at the door.
3. Try on
Meaning: To test clothing to see if it fits or looks good
– I want to try on this dress before I buy it.
4. Dress up
Meaning: To wear formal or fancy clothes
– We had to dress up for the wedding.
5. Dress down
Meaning: To wear casual clothes instead of formal ones
– On Fridays, we’re allowed to dress down at work.
6. Throw on
Meaning: To quickly put on clothes without much effort
– I just threw on a hoodie and left the house.
7. Zip up
Meaning: To close clothing with a zipper
– Don’t forget to zip up your coat — it’s cold out there.
8. Button up
Meaning: To fasten clothing using buttons
– He buttoned up his shirt before heading out.
9. Kick off
Meaning: To quickly remove shoes or socks
– She kicked off her boots and lay on the couch.
10. Hang up
Meaning: To place clothes on a hanger or hook
– I always hang up my jacket when I get home.
11. Try out
Meaning: To test clothing to see how it feels or fits (similar to “try on”)
– I’m going to try out this jacket to see if it’s warm enough.
12. Wrap up
Meaning: To dress in warm clothes
– Make sure to wrap up before going outside in the snow.
13. Throw out / Throw away
Meaning: To discard or get rid of old clothes
– I need to throw out these old socks — they’re full of holes.
14. Show off
Meaning: To wear something in order to impress people
– She loves to show off her new outfits at work.
15. Have on
Meaning: To be wearing something at the moment
– What did she have on at the party last night?
16. Pick out
Meaning: To choose clothing to wear or buy
– Help me pick out a tie for the meeting.
17. Slip on
Meaning: To quickly and easily put on something
– He slipped on his sandals and went outside.
18. Take in
Meaning: To make clothing smaller or tighter
– I need to take in this dress — it’s too loose.
19. Let out
Meaning: To make clothing bigger or looser
– The tailor can let out the waist a little.
20. Do up
Meaning: To fasten clothing (buttons, zippers, etc.)
– Can you help me do up the back of my dress?
