There’s an intersection where language and fashion meets. And this presents another opportunity for Spanish learners!
Spring Spanish (a project I co-founded) teacher Cory made a great video about clothes and fashion in Spanish, check it out!
In this blog post, we’ll share the most important vocabulary and expression related to clothes in Spanish. Learn about shopping for clothes in Spanish, explore the different sizes and fabrics, and learn Spanish along the way!
1. What you need to know about Spanish clothing and dress code
As you know it, dress codes are sets of rules – just like there are rules in Spanish grammar, there are rules for dressing up to the occasion in Spanish-speaking countries. These guidelines are all about what clothing you should, could and have to wear to different events.
Dress codes are different in Spanish-speaking countries because they are all influenced by local culture, climate and even social norms. However, since we’re talking about the same cultural are, there are common guidelines:
| Spanish | English | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Formal | Formal | Often required for high-end restaurants, galas, or black-tie events. |
| Formal de negocios | Business formal | Typical for conservative work environments like law firms or financial institutions. |
| Informal de negocios | Business casual | Common in many modern office settings. |
| Casual | Casual | Appropriate for everyday wear or relaxed work environments. |
| Casual elegante | Smart casual | A step up from casual, often used for semi-formal events or upscale restaurants. |
| Atuendo de cóctel | co*cktail attire | For evening social events that are not quite formal. |
And if you want to use the Spanish vocabulary with dress code-related terms, check these out:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| código de vestimenta | dress code |
| etiqueta | etiquette |
| formal | formal |
| informal | informal |
| elegante | elegant |
| apropiado | appropriate |
| inapropiado | inappropriate |
| atuendo | outfit |
| vestimenta | attire |
| ropa de etiqueta | formal wear |
| traje de gala | gala dress |
| traje de noche | evening gown |
| esmoquin | tuxedo |
| chaqué | morning coat |
| ropa de trabajo | work clothes |
| uniforme | uniform |
| ropa casual de negocios | business casual |
| casual elegante | smart casual |
| ropa deportiva elegante | athleisure |
| a la moda | fashionable |
2. Spanish clothes vocabulary for formal wear: ropa de vestir
Let’s start with the formal wear (ropa de vestir), because the occasion requires good clothing!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| traje | suit |
| vestido | dress |
| camisa | shirt |
| corbata | tie |
| falda | skirt |
| pantalón de vestir | dress pants |
| blazer | blazer |
| chaqueta | jacket |
| chaleco | vest |
| esmoquin | tuxedo |
3. Describe casual clothes in Spanish: ropa casual
Maybe you’re enjoying some alone time at home, or you chose to work from home on a weekday. Here’s how you can describe this in Spanish:
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| camiseta | t-shirt |
| pantalones vaqueros | jeans |
| sudadera | sweatshirt |
| shorts | shorts |
| blusa | blouse |
| polo | polo shirt |
| chaqueta vaquera | denim jacket |
| suéter | sweater |
| leggins | leggings |
| pantalones chinos | chino pants |
4. Sport clothing items in Spanish: ropa deportiva
Out for sports? Dress up!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| chándal | tracksuit |
| zapatillas deportivas | sneakers |
| camiseta de fútbol | soccer jersey |
| pantalones cortos | sport shorts |
| calcetines deportivos | athletic socks |
| mallas | tights |
| sudadera con capucha | hoodie |
| camiseta sin mangas | tank top |
| muñequeras | wristbands |
| rodilleras | knee pads |
5. Spanish vocabulary for underwear: ropa interior
Start any day of the week with fres new clothes.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| calzoncillos | underwear (men’s) |
| bragas | panties |
| sujetador | bra |
| calcetines | socks |
| camiseta interior | undershirt |
| tanga | thong |
| bóxer | boxer shorts |
| medias | stockings |
| liguero | garter belt |
| body | bodysuit |
Different seasons in Spanish require different footwear.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| zapatos | shoes |
| botas | boots |
| sandalias | sandals |
| zapatillas | slippers |
| tacones | high heels |
| mocasines | loafers |
| alpargatas | espadrilles |
| chanclas | flip-flops |
| botines | ankle boots |
| zuecos | clogs |
7. Speak about accessories in Spanish: accesorios
Some accessories can help you look even more fabulous!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| cinturón | belt |
| bufanda | scarf |
| gorro | hat |
| guantes | gloves |
| gafas de sol | sunglasses |
| bolso | purse |
| cartera | wallet |
| reloj | watch |
| collar | necklace |
| pendientes | earrings |
8. Outerwear: la ropa de abrigo
Learn these outerwear clothing phrases along with the way to talk about the weather in Spanish.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| abrigo | coat |
| chaqueta | jacket |
| impermeable | raincoat |
| gabardina | trench coat |
| cazadora | bomber jacket |
| anorak | parka |
| poncho | poncho |
| capa | cape |
| chaleco acolchado | padded vest |
| plumífero | down jacket |
9. Have a good night’s sleep in your sleepwear: ropa de dormir
Wondering how to say good night in Spanish? Maybe you could throw in some sleapwear vocabulary!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| pijama | pajamas |
| camisón | nightgown |
| bata | robe |
| pantalones de pijama | pajama pants |
| camisa de dormir | nightshirt |
| pantuflas | slippers |
| antifaz | sleep mask |
| camiseta de dormir | sleep shirt |
| shorts de dormir | sleep shorts |
| camisola | camisole |
10. Enjoy summer in your swimwear: ropa de baño
Some Spanish holidays are during the summer. And when these holidays happen, you want to be able to talk about your swimwear.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| bañador | swimsuit |
| bikini | bikini |
| tanga de playa | beach thong |
| pantalones cortos de baño | swim trunks |
| pareo | sarong |
| gorro de natación | swim cap |
| chanclas de playa | beach flip-flops |
| toalla de playa | beach towel |
| gafas de natación | swim goggles |
| traje de neopreno | wetsuit |
11. Names for uniforms: uniformes
Although school uniforms are mostly the thing of the past in most Spanish-speaking countries countries, it’s still good to learn these words!
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| uniforme escolar | school uniform |
| uniforme de enfermera | nurse uniform |
| uniforme de policía | police uniform |
| uniforme militar | military uniform |
| uniforme de chef | chef uniform |
| bata de laboratorio | lab coat |
| uniforme de camarero | waiter uniform |
| mono de trabajo | work overalls |
| toga | robe (academic or judicial) |
| uniforme deportivo | sports uniform |
Now that you know all of these words, it’s time to learn the most common Spanish phrases and chunks related to them, so you know what to ask for when shopping or looking for alternatives.
| Spanish | English |
|---|---|
| ¿Me queda bien? | Does it look good on me? |
| Me queda como un guante | It fits like a glove |
| ¿Tiene esto en otra talla? | Do you have this in another size? |
| ¿Dónde están los probadores? | Where are the fitting rooms? |
| ¿Puedo probármelo? | Can I try it on? |
| Este color me favorece | This color suits me |
| ¿Tiene algo más informal? | Do you have something more casual? |
| Busco algo para una boda | I’m looking for something for a wedding |
| ¿Aceptan devoluciones? | Do you accept returns? |
| ¿Está de oferta? | Is it on sale? |
| Me lo llevo | I’ll take it |
| ¿Cómo se lava esto? | How do you wash this? |
| ¿De qué material está hecho? | What material is this made of? |
| Me aprieta un poco | It’s a bit tight on me |
| Me queda grande | It’s too big for me |
| ¿Tiene algo similar pero más barato? | Do you have something similar but cheaper? |
| Estoy buscando un conjunto | I’m looking for an outfit |
| ¿Qué me recomienda? | What do you recommend? |
| Esto combina bien con… | This goes well with… |
| ¿Tiene un espejo de cuerpo entero? | Do you have a full-length mirror? |
13. Learn other names for clothing in Spanish with Conversation Based Chunking
Which section did you like the most?
We prefer chunks (common phrases and expressions) in the language instead of learning only the words one by one. A method that helps you on this journey is Conversation Based Chunking.
This approach is all about focusing on these chunks – the natural building blocks of the language, so you don’t have to pay attention to grammar. If you click the button below now, you’ll get an essential Spanish Chunking List, you’ll get access to Our Full Practice Worksheet Library, and you’ll even see my favorite resources to learn Spanish.
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