Clothes in Italian: 245 terms to help you shop 'til you drop

Italy is the country that gave the world Prada, Giorgio Armani, Dolce & Gabbana, Gucci, and Versace, just to mention a few. Fashion is always a great topic of conversation regardless of which language you speak, and Italians do love to chat about fashion!

In the following tables we’ll teach you the names of the most important garments, so that you know exactly what to say when taking part in conversations about clothing, when buying fashion online or in-store, or when preparing a laundry list for your hotel.

Describing the clothes you like to wear, talking about getting dressed, and complimenting somebody’s sense of style are all practical ways you can put your knowledge of the Italian language to use.

There’s a huge amount of terms surrounding clothing and fashion in general. Put on something comfy, then, and get ready to expand your Italian vocabulary!

Clothes in Italian

The general word for “clothing” is “abbigliamento” in Italian. The plural form is “abbigliamenti,” which is rarely used. The Italian word for “clothes” is “vestiti,” plural, and “vestito,” singular.

Clothes are part of our everyday conversations. Here are some examples of day-to-day situations where you need to be able to talk about clothes and shoes in Italian along with some typical questions and answers you’ll hear.

When going shopping for clothes in Italy:

When complimenting someone in Italian on their style, or talking about how clothes fit or look on someone in general:

When asking someone for their opinion on your outfit.

When asking what is the expected dress code for a specific event:

Today you’ll learn how to say all of the most common clothing items including:

• dress in Italian;
• skirt in Italian;
• shirt in Italian;
• T-shirts in Italian;
• jacket in Italian;
• coat in Italian;
• pants in Italian;
• shorts in Italian;
• hat in Italian;
• bathing suit in Italian;
• shoes in Italian;
• boots in Italian;
• socks in Italian.

And much more! Whether you love shopping or dread it, by the end of this article you’ll be ready to converse like a true fashionista.

Dress codes in Italian

The dress code of an office, restaurant, school, or social event is a set of rules about what kind of clothes people are suggested to wear. Let’s go through different dress codes in Italian.

Outerwear in Italian

Did you really think Italy was all sunshine and “'o sole mio, sta 'nfronte a te”? You’re off track! Winter weather here ranges from slightly cold in the South to freezing cold in the northern regions. Here are some of the garments you’ll definitely need.

Dress in Italian

Below you’ll find a list of common terms that can be used when talking about different styles of dresses in Italian. There are more than you would think!

Pants in Italian

Now we’ll learn what the most common types of pants are called in Italian.

Shirts and tops in Italian

Let’s now move on to shirts and tops, which are “camicie” and “magliette” in Italian.

Jacket in Italian

Let’s now move on to jackets. Do you know how to say “waistcoat” and “double-breasted blazer” in Italian? Let’s find out!

Skirt in Italian

Now, let’s have a look at the most common types of skirts in Italian.

Headwear in Italian

Hats are distinctly in fashion at the moment. Here are some of the more popular types.

Underwear in Italian

Do you know how to say “lingerie” in Italian? Are you curious to know how to say “undershirt,” “boxers,” and “panties” in Italian? Let’s peel away some more vocabulary layers.

Pajamas or sleepwear in Italian

Let’s move on to nightwear, “biancheria da notte” in Italian.

Accessories in Italian

Here is a list of accessories, which are called accessori in Italian.

Shoes and boots in Italian

You can’t talk about clothes without talking about footwear, “calzature” in Italian! There are several kinds of shoes, boots and sandals, so let’s learn what they’re called in Italian.

Beachwear in Italian

Let’s now move on to beachwear, abbigliamento da mare in Italian.

Fitting styles in Italian

Here are some handy descriptors involving styles that will be useful whenever you’re seeking to talk about clothing and fashion in Italian. You can also describe your clothes and garments by their color. Need a refresher on colors? Brighten up your vocab with our guide to colors in Italian.

Designs and patterns in Italian

There’s an enormous array of vocabulary describing designs and patterns in Italian. We’ve gathered the most common for you in the table below. Let’s have a look!

Natural materials and synthetic fibers in Italian

You’re genuinely spoilt for choice when it comes to natural materials and synthetic fibers to choose from. Let’s learn what they’re called in Italian.

Clothing-related Italian sayings, proverbs, and idioms

To learn Italian, it’s recommended that you learn not only grammar alongside individual words, but idiomatic expressions as well. Today, we’ll cover 15 clothing-related Italian phrases, and sayings to describe situations in a more creative way. Here you go.

L’abito non fa il monaco

Literal translation: the suit doesn't make the monk.
English equivalents: clothes don’t make the man; don’t judge a book by its cover.

This proverb means that you shouldn’t judge someone based on their appearance or clothing. Looks can be deceiving, and someone can be very different from how it seems or appears to be.

Conoscere come le proprie tasche

Literal translation: to know like your own pockets.
English equivalent: to know something like the back of your hand.

If you know something “come le tue tasche,” it means that you have very good and detailed knowledge of it.

Tanto di cappello!

Literal translation: so much of hat!
English equivalent: hats off to you!

The act of taking off your hat as a sign of respect is at the origin of this lovely expression used to give praise or credit to someone, express admiration for them, and acknowledge their merits.

Mettersi nei panni di qualcuno

Literal translation: to put yourself in somebody else's clothes.
English equivalent: to put yourself in somebody else's shoes.

“Mettersi nei panni di qualcuno” means to make an effort to imagine what you would do if you were in the same situation as a particular person.

Attaccare bottone

Literal translation: to attach button.
English equivalent: to chat up.

“Attaccare bottone” means to start talking to someone you don’t know very well in a friendly, flirtatious, or seductive way, because you are attracted to them.

Calzare a pennello

Literal translation: to put on a paintbrush.
English equivalent: to fit perfectly.

The expression “calzare a pennello” means to fit perfectly, to be the correct size.

Essere nato con la camicia

Literal translation: to be born with a shirt on.
English equivalent: to be born with a silver spoon

“Essere nato con la camicia” means to be born into a wealthy family.

Sudare sette camicie

Literal translation: to sweat seven shirts.
English equivalent: to sweat your guts out.

“Sudare sette camicie” means to work extremely hard.

Essere il fiore all’occhiello

Literal translation: to be the flower at the eyelet.
English equivalent: to be somebody’s pride and joy.

“Fiore all’occhiello” means boutonnière, a floral accessory worn on the lapel of a tuxedo or suit jacket for weddings. This expression is used to refer to someone or something that makes you very proud and happy.

Fare le scarpe a qualcuno

Literal translation: to make shoes for someone.
English equivalent: to kick someone out of their job.

“Fare le scarpe a qualcuno” is a despicable act, and means to con, cheat, swindle, or unfairly deprive someone of their job and take over their role.

Avere un asso nella manica

Literal translation and English equivalent: to have an ace up your sleeve.

“Avere un asso nella manica” means to have a powerful and often secret advantage that can be used if it’s needed.

Un altro paio di maniche

Literal translation: another pair of sleeves.
English equivalent: to be a horse of a different color; a different kettle of fish.

To be “un altro paio di maniche” means to be something else entirely, a completely different matter.

Essere di manica larga

Literal translation: to be broad-sleeved.

“Essere di manica larga” means to be indulgent and generous. It’s the exact opposite of being strict.

Rimboccarsi le maniche

Literal translation and English equivalent: to roll up your sleeves.

“Rimboccarsi le maniche” means to prepare for hard or difficult work.

Meglio comprarti un vestito

Literal meaning: (it’s) better to buy you a dress.

This expression is used when inviting to dinner someone who turns out to be a big eater (“buona forchetta” in Italian), and you think that next time it would be better to buy them a dress instead of taking them out for dinner again.

Clothes related verbs in Italian

Let’s now go through some useful Italian verbs about clothes and getting dressed.

An Italian style guide

Dressing well is a priority in Italy. It’s part of the whole bella figura thing. How you are dressed and how you present yourself speaks volumes about your respect or lack thereof. Here are some useful fashion tips to look like a local during your Italian adventure. Italy is more fun if you try a little to blend in!

1. Choose good quality clothes

I’m not necessarily talking about designer labels, high-end fashion brands, or super expensive garments. You don’t have to spend hundreds of dollars on the newest stylish clothing. Just look for clothing that is well-cut and fits well.

2. Avoid the extremes

Stained, torn, dirty, worn out, scruffy, or bedraggled clothes will make you look cheap and trashy. Conversely, dressing all time as if you were invited to prom or to a royal wedding will make you look utterly ridiculous. Avoid these extremes.

3. Don’t show too much skin

In the summer months, Italians always complain about mobs of scantily clad visitors blighting the landscape with their butt cheeks hanging out of their itty-bitty hotpants. Although July and August can be rather hot, you’ll rarely if ever see Italians wearing booty shorts, micro mini-skirts, and very skimpy dresses that leave nothing to the imagination, except at the beach, and in seaside resort areas.

My tip for you: wear only one skimpy item at a time. For example, a crop top with black tailored trousers, or, vice versa, a mini-skirt with a blouson-sleeved silk top and a cute jacket or blazer.

Remember that wandering off the beach in a swimsuit or going bare-chested while sightseeing is prohibited by law.

4. Wear designer sunglasses

Regardless of whether the sun is out, wear designer sunglasses when in Italy. The bigger, the better. My black Anna Wintour-style sunglasses are almost always glued to my face. Not only are oversized sunglasses perfect for keeping out the sun’s harmful UV rays and acting as a barrier from dust, wind and debris, they also hide my makeup-less face. I like to let my face breathe, and I hardly ever wear makeup, but that doesn’t mean I want the world to see my under-eye bags, dark circles, crow’s feet, and bare eyelashes!

Luckily, big black sunglasses are in style here. Opt for a nice pair of designer sunglasses. Vintage styles work well in Italy as well.

5. Dress well when dining out

This goes for both ladies and gentlemen: dress appropriately when dining out in Italy. That doesn’t mean “dressing up.” Show respect to the establishment and to yourself, and dress appropriately. A casual dress code for fine dining restaurants means comfortable, yet polished.

My tip for you: invest in a well-made blazer. You can class up nearly any outfit with a blazer. Trust me! It makes denim dressy, and party dresses polished. T-shirts underneath blazers can create the perfect cool combination, when done right.

You’re welcome!

6. Don’t wear a snapback or baseball cap

Snapbacks and ballcaps immediately flag you as a tourist in Italy. My tip for you: if you need to wear a hat to protect you from the sun, or hide your receding hairline, snag a more fashionable hat for your Italian trip, like a newsboy or ivy cap, which offer the comfort of a baseball cap but with a lot more style. A straw Panama hat, the elegant summer version of the Fedora, a staple of gentlemen's wardrobes for generations, is another very good option.

7. Flip flops are to be used only at the beach

I can spot an American tourist from a mile away, because, well, they’re wearing rubber flops. So, don’t wear flip flops, Crocs, and fuzzy slippers in any Italian city, regardless of the temperature. Go for a classier pair of leather strap sandals.

8. Sweatpants are to be used only at the gym or at home

Sweatpants are for sports, or lounging at home. Wearing sweatpants in public is a big no-no in Italy. The same goes with yoga pants, form-fitting bicycle booty shorts, and running-type pants, which shouldn’t be worn outside of yoga studios, gyms, or a workout routine.

9. Don’t wear noisy shoes

Off to Italy this summer? Leave the clogs, high heels, and wooden-soled sandals at home, especially if you’re heading to Positano, the westernmost town along the Amalfi Coast, or the island of Capri. Wearing noisy shoes like wooden clogs is strictly forbidden there.

10. Leave the socks at home

Here’s a fun fact. We Italians don’t really wear socks, or, at least, not ones you can see. We usually wear no-show socks, “calzini invisibili” or more colloquially “fantasmini” in Italian, which wrap the foot at the base, from toe to ankle, without extending above the opening of the shoe. Do the same during your Italian adventure!

And please, I’m begging you, don’t wear socks with flip flops. It’s a fashion crime, at the very least. Duh.

11. Stay away from wearing too revealing clothes when visiting religious sites

If you’re planning on visiting a church, a synagogue, or other houses of worship, your knees and shoulders need to be covered. Tank tops, sleeveless garments, ab-baring crop tops, tiny hotpants, and clingy-butt mini-skirts are prohibited in religious sites throughout Italy.

My tip for you: bring a shawl, a foulard, a lightweight jumper, or an oversized scarf to wrap around your bare shoulders and legs before entering a church.

Hats off to you!

Have fun practicing what you’ve learned a little each day. A handy hint is to say out loud the Italian name for your clothes as you put them on. And next time you have five minutes, instead of scrolling through your cell phone aimlessly, read an Italian fashion blog, and learn new words and jargon. Check out The Blonde Salad by my fellow Lombard Chiara Ferragni or any of the rest of our latest articles on our Italian language blog.

Alla prossima!