Spanish Clothes Vocabulary

Here are key phrases you'll need when shopping, getting dressed, or describing clothing issues.

• When shopping: "¿Tiene esto en otra talla?" (Do you have this in another size?), "¿Me lo puedo probar?" (Can I try it on?), "¿Dónde están los probadores?" (Where are the fitting rooms?).
• Getting dressed: "Me pongo la camisa" (I put on the shirt), "Me quito los zapatos" (I take off my shoes), "Me abrocho el cinturón" (I fasten my belt).
• Describing issues: "La cremallera está rota" (The zipper is broken), "Se me ha perdido un botón" (I've lost a button), "La manga se ha encogido" (The sleeve has shrunk).
• Complimenting: "Ese vestido te queda muy bien" (That dress looks great on you), "Me encanta tu chaqueta nueva" (I love your new jacket).

Use the verb llevar (to wear) for what you have on, and tener (to have) for what you own. Combine them with clothing vocabulary and descriptive adjectives.

• Describing an outfit: "Hoy llevo unos vaqueros, una camiseta y una chaqueta" (Today I'm wearing jeans, a T-shirt, and a jacket).
• Talking about ownership: "Tengo un abrigo negro y un suéter gris" (I have a black coat and a gray sweater), "No tengo zapatos de tacón" (I don't have high heels).
• Using colors and materials: "Llevo una falda de cuero" (I'm wearing a leather skirt), "Tengo una bufanda de lana" (I have a wool scarf).
• Expressing need: "Necesito unos calcetines nuevos" (I need new socks), "Tengo que comprar un traje" (I have to buy a suit).

Adjectives must agree in gender (masculine/feminine) and number (singular/plural) with the noun they describe. Here are essential ones for clothes.

• For fit: "apretado/a" (tight), "holgado/a" (loose/baggy), "cómodo/a" (comfortable), "ajustado/a" (fitted). Example: "Estos pantalones están muy apretados" (These pants are very tight).
• For condition: "nuevo/a" (new), "viejo/a" (old), "limpio/a" (clean), "sucio/a" (dirty), "roto/a" (broken/torn). Example: "La camisa está sucia" (The shirt is dirty).
• For style: "elegante" (elegant), "informal" (casual), "moderno/a" (modern), "clásico/a" (classic), "bonito/a" (pretty). Example: "Es un vestido muy elegante" (It's a very elegant dress).
• For size & length: "largo/a" (long), "corto/a" (short), "grande" (big/large), "pequeño/a" (small). Example: "La falda es demasiado corta" (The skirt is too short).

Mastering these verbs will allow you to describe all actions related to clothing, from buying to washing.

• Ponerse (to put on): "Me pongo los guantes" (I put on my gloves).
• Quitarse (to take off): "Se quita el sombrero" (He takes off his hat).
• Llevar (to wear): "Ella lleva una corbata" (She is wearing a tie).
• Probarse (to try on): "Voy a probarme estos zapatos" (I'm going to try on these shoes).
• Comprar (to buy): "Compramos un impermeable" (We bought a raincoat).
• Lavar (to wash): "Lavo la ropa interior" (I wash the underwear).
• Planchar (to iron): "Plancho la camisa" (I iron the shirt).
• Guardar (to put away/store): "Guardo el traje de baño en el armario" (I put the swimsuit away in the closet).

While most terms are widely understood, some countries have their own common words for specific items. Here are notable differences.

• Swimsuit: In Spain, it's "el bañador" (for men) or "el bikini/el bañador" (for women). In Mexico and much of Latin America, "el traje de baño" is universal. In Argentina, "la malla" is common.
• Pants/Trousers: "El pantalón" is standard. However, in Argentina and Uruguay, "el pantalón" is used, but the plural "los pantalones" often refers to a single pair (like in English).
• Jeans: "Los vaqueros" is common in Spain. In Mexico, "los jeans" (pronounced 'yeens') is frequently used. In Argentina, "los jeans" or "el jean" (singular) is common.
• Sweatshirt/Hoodie: In Spain, "la sudadera (con capucha)". In Mexico, "la sudadera" or "el hoodie". In Argentina, "la buzo" or "la campera" (which can also mean jacket).
• Underwear (briefs): "Los calzoncillos" is standard. In Mexico, "los calzones" is often used. In Chile, "los calzones" or "los pantaletas" (for men). In Argentina, "los calzoncillos" or "las bombachas" (for women's underwear).