How To Talk About Clothes In Italian

There’s never a bad time (or a bad reason) to commit some basic Italian clothing vocabulary to memory. If you need a place to start, how about: attending Fashion Week in Milan, shopping for some sleek Italian leather boots in Florence, or simply enjoying the sensation of words like l’abito and la maglietta rolling off your tongue?

Whether you’re a student of Italian, a tourist preparing for a trip abroad or just a collector of fancy-sounding words, this list of Italian clothing vocabulary should equip you well to talk about most of the clothes you wear on a regular basis.

If you want to hear each word and phrase pronounced by a native speaker, just click the play button next to it.

Italian Clothing Vocabulary

Summer Clothing

summer clothes — i vestiti estivi

clothes — i vestiti

the dress — l’abito

shorts — i pantaloncini corti

the T-shirt — la maglietta

the flip-flops — le infradito

the shoes — le scarpe

the skirt — la gonna

the cap — il berretto

the blouse — la camicetta

the shirt — la camicia

the swimsuit — il costume da bagno

the cardigan — il cardigan

sunglasses — gli occhiali da sole

the sandals — i sandali

the top — il top

Winter Clothing

winter clothes — i vestiti invernali

the sweater — il maglione

pants — i pantaloni

the scarf — la sciarpa

the hat — il berretto

the coat — il cappotto

the boots — gli stivali

tights — i collant

the thick socks — i calzini pesanti

the rubber boots — gli stivali di gomma

the jeans — i jeans

the earmuffs — i paraorecchi

the woolen hat — il berretto di lana

the gloves — i guanti

the mittens — i guanti a manopola

Formal Attire

formal dress — i vestiti formali

the dinner jacket — lo smoking

the vest — il gilet

the gown — l’abito da sera

jewelry — i gioielli

the cocktail dress — l’abito da cocktail

the bow tie — il papillon

the high heels — le scarpe coi tacchi alti

the suit — il completo

the tie — la cravatta

Underwear

the underwear — la biancheria intima

underpants — le mutande

the undershirt — la canottiera

pajamas — il pigiama

boxer shorts — i boxer

panties — gli slip

the bra — il reggiseno

the socks — le calze

Useful Phrases

I am looking for green pants. — Cerco pantaloni verdi.

That’s in fashion. — Questo è alla moda.

His suit is stylish. — Il suo completo è elegante.

I have nothing to wear. — Non ho niente da mettermi.

Do you have these jeans in a different color? — Avete questo modello di jeans in un altro colore?

This jacket is really cool. — Questa giacca è molto cool.

This white blouse is very pretty. — Questa camicetta bianca è molto carina.

Wear the warm shoes! — Mettiti le scarpe pesanti!

I lost my gloves. — Ho perso i miei guanti.

It is too warm for a scarf today. — Oggi fa troppo caldo per mettersi una sciarpa.

The coat is too expensive. — Il cappotto è troppo costoso.