Clothing That Starts With Each Letter: 291 Garments from A to Z

Each year, people worldwide use an estimated 80 billion pieces of clothing! Our clothing use has increased 400% in the past two decades.^[1]

While not everyone is interested in fashion, clothing undoubtedly plays a very important role in our lives. It can give us a greater sense of identity, and on a more essential level, can protect us from things like sun exposure and cold weather.

New styles emerge and trends change every year, but some clothing staples have stood the test of history — like the skirt, which is thought to be the second-oldest garment ever created!^[2]

Below, we list the clothing that starts with each letter, A to Z. Scroll past the list for an activity to help you find more unique options!

A

1. Ankle socks
   short sock that ends just at the ankle
2. Anorak
   waterproof, hooded jacket
3. Angora sweater
   sweater made from the hair of an angora goat or rabbit
4. Afghan shawl
   knitted or crocheted shawl
5. Apron
   a protective garment that covers the front of your clothes while cooking, painting, or doing other potentially messy tasks
6. Ascot
   men’s silk necktie
7. Argyle sweater
   sweater with a pattern of diamonds in various colors
8. Art smock
   loose dress or blouse that covers your clothes while working on art projects like painting
9. A-line dress
   a dress with a hem wider than its shoulders
10. Anklewarmers
    tubular knitted garments that cover the ankles for extra warmth
11. Athletic shorts
    sweat-wicking shorts designed for workouts and sports
12. A-line skirt
    a skirt that’s fitted at the hip and gets wider toward the hem
13. Air Jordans
    a popular style of Nike sneaker
14. Abaya
    traditional full-length garment worn by some Muslim women
15. Arm warmer
    knitted sleeves worn on the arms
16. Almond-toe shoe
    a shoe with a toe that isn’t too pointed, rounded, or square

B

1. Beret
   a felt or cloth cap with a round band and flattish top
2. Brassiere
   undergarment that covers the chest
3. Bell bottoms
   pants with legs that flare widely below the knee
4. Boots
   sturdy footwear that covers the foot and ankle
5. Bloomers
   old-fashioned, loose-fitting underpants
6. Baseball tee
   three-quarter-sleeve shirt with sleeves in a different color than the body
7. Ball gown
   full-length dress worn to formal events
8. Belt
   a strap with a buckle worn around the waist
9. Bermuda shorts
   knee-length shorts
10. Blazer
    lightweight jacket
11. Bathrobe
    a terry cloth robe worn before and after bathing
12. Beanie
    a close-fitting hat
13. Boat shoes
    flat canvas or leather shoes designed not to slip on boat decks
14. Baseball cap
    a hat with a large visor and adjustable band
15. Bikini
    two-piece women’s swimsuit
16. Blouse
    a shirt with a collar, buttons, and sleeves
17. Bathing suit
    garment worn while swimming
18. Boxer shorts
    loose-fitting men’s underpants that look similar to shorts
19. Balaclava
    close-fitting garment for cold weather that covers the whole head and neck except for the eyes
20. Briefs
    close-fitting underpants
21. Bustier top
    close-fitting and structured strapless women’s top
22. Bowtie
    necktie tied in the shape of a bow
23. Boubou
    long, colorful garment worn by men and women in countries including Nigeria and Senegal
24. Bodysuit
    one-piece, close-fitting stretch garment
25. Batwing top
    a top with wing-like, wide sleeves
26. Bolero
    a short, open jacket
27. Bustle
    padding or framing worn under a skirt to puff it out
28. Bias-cut dress
    a dress cut diagonally across the grain

C

1. Cardigan
   a long-sleeved knit sweater, typically with buttons or other closures on the front
2. Coat
   long-sleeved outerwear worn outdoors in cold weather
3. Corduroys
   pants made of thick, velvety cotton fabric
4. Coveralls
   one-piece garment that covers a person’s clothes when doing manual work, such as mechanic work
5. Cloak
   loose-fitting, sleeveless robe with a hood worn outdoors in cold weather
6. Clogs
   shoes with thick, wooden soles
7. Camisole
   sleeveless top with shoulder straps and decorative trim
8. Capri pants
   fitted, calf-length pants
9. Crop top
   t-shirt, tank top, sweater, or sweatshirt cut so the bottom hem falls between the chest and stomach
10. Corset
    tight-fitting, structured undergarment
11. Chaps
    leather pants with no seat worn by ranchers and cowboys
12. Cummerbund
    a sash worn around the waist with a men’s suit
13. Cowl neck sweater
    neckline with draped fabric that hangs in folds

D

1. Dinner jacket
   short, formal jacket for men with no tails
2. Denim jacket
   jacket made of blue jean fabric
3. Denim skirt
   skirt made of blue jean fabric
4. Dungarees
   blue denim overalls
5. Dress
   one-piece women’s garment that covers the torso and extends down the legs
6. Dress shirt
   formal white shirt
7. Denim shorts
   shorts made of blue jean fabric
8. Down jacket
   puffer jacket filled with down (feathers) for warmth
9. Dashiki
   loose, brightly-colored tunic originating in West Africa
10. Dressing gown
    loose robe worn while preparing to dress in the morning
11. Dolman top
    women’s shirt with wide sleeves
12. Dirndl
    dress with a bodice and full skirt worn in southern Germany

E

1. Earmuffs
   headband with attached ear coverings
2. Embroidered top
   shirt with decorative, sewn-on thread patterns
3. Espadrilles
   canvas shoe with a fiber sole
4. Eyelet top
   shirt with a pattern of small, round holes around the hems
5. Eyelet dress
   dress with a pattern of small, round holes around the hems
6. Empire-waist dress
   a dress with a fitted bodice that drapes out under the bustline

F

1. Fatigues
   khaki, olive, or camouflaged outfit worn by soldiers
2. Fur coat
   coat made of real or synthetic animal fur
3. Flannel shirt
   long-sleeved wool or cotton button-up shirt, usually with a plaid pattern
4. Fedora
   felt hat with a creased crown and curled brim
5. Fingerless gloves
   gloves with no fingertips
6. Felt hat
   hat made of felt material
7. Fleece jacket
   light jacket made of soft fabric with a texture similar to sheep’s wool
8. Flannel jacket
   jacket made of soft, woven fabric
9. Flip flops
   plastic or rubber sandals with a strap between the big toe and second toe

G

1. Golf shoes
   waterproof leather shoes with sole spikes
2. Galoshes
   waterproof shoe coverings for rainy days
3. Girdle
   tight-fitting support garment worn around the waist
4. Gym shorts
   breathable, sweat-wicking shorts designed for exercise
5. Gloves
   hand coverings that protect against dirt or cold
6. Gaucho pants
   calf-length, wide-legged trousers
7. Gown
   long, formal dress, usually with a flowing skirt and fitted bodice

H

1. Hightops
   sneakers with high sides that cover the ankle
2. Hoodie
   hooded sweatshirt
3. Hosiery
   stockings, socks, and tights
4. Heels
   shoes that are raised at the back of the foot
5. Hotpants
   close-fitted short shorts
6. Herringbone jacket
   classic British jacket with a herringbone print
7. Hawaiian shirt
   short-sleeved button-up top with a colorful floral print
8. Hoop skirt
   a skirt worn over support hoops for a voluminous look
9. Halter top
   sleeveless shirt with straps that tie behind the neck
10. Herringbone dress
    dress made from herringbone-print fabric
11. Housecoat
    loose, lightweight robe to wear around the house
12. Hanbok
    traditional Korean clothing
13. Hobble skirt
    long skirt that tapers below the knee
14. Herringbone skirt
    skirt made from herringbone-print fabric
15. Handkerchief hem dress
    dress with an uneven hem made from triangular panels of fabric
16. Herringbone pants
    pants made from herringbone-print fabric
17. Harem pants
    loose-fitting pants that gather at the ankle
18. Handkerchief hem skirt
    skirt made from panels of fabric that fall in triangular points
19. H-line dress
    has a straight silhouette with a slight accent at the waist

I

1. Inverness
   sleeveless cloak with a removable cape
2. Irish linen shirt
   shirt made of high-count linen produced in Ireland
3. Irrigation boots
   waterproof rubber boots
4. In-line skates
   roller skates with multiple wheels placed in a line on the middle of the sole
5. Izar
   garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the whole body
6. Ice skates
   skating boot with a blade attached to the bottom
7. Ihram clothing
   garments worn by Muslim people during pilgrimages

J

1. Jeans
   denim pants
2. Jumper
   can refer to a sweater or a collarless, sleeveless dress
3. Jean jacket
   denim outerwear
4. Jellies
   shoes made of PVC plastic
5. Joggers
   stretchy, breathable pants designed for jogging
6. Jumpsuit
   one-piece garment of an attached top and trousers
7. Jodhpurs
   close-fitting pants designed for horseback riding
8. Jersey
   uniform shirts worn in competitive sports like football and hockey
9. Jogging suit
   loose shirt and sweatpants worn while exercising
10. Jacket
    long-sleeved outerwear for cool or cold weather

K

1. Kimono
   long-loose robe with wide sleeves originating from Japan
2. Knee socks
   socks that extend above the ankle to cover the calf
3. Knit sweater
   sweater made from interlocking loops of wool or yarn
4. Kurta
   loose, collarless shirt worn in South Asia
5. Kaftan
   can refer to a long shirt/tunic or a long, loose dress
6. Kameez
   long tunic originating from India
7. Knit scarf
   scarf made by interlocking loops of yarn together
8. Kilt
   pleated, knee-length tartan garment traditionally worn by Scottish men
9. Knickerbockers
   pants rolled up to just below the knee
10. Keyhole top
    shirt with a cutaway just below the collarbone

L

1. Leather jacket
   jacket made from tanned animal hide
2. Leather pants
   pants made from tanned animal hide
3. Lace top
   shirt with embellishments of lace
4. Leggings
   soft, fitted pants made from a stretch material
5. Leotard
   stretchy one-piece garment that covers the body from the shoulders to the top of the thighs; often worn by dancers
6. Lingerie
   women’s intimate apparel
7. Lettuce hem top
   skirt with frills around the neckline, sleeves, and/or bottom hem
8. Lace dress
   dress with a lace overlay or embellishments
9. Loafers
   shoe with a low, flat heel
10. Legwarmers
    tubular garment that covers the leg from the ankle to the knee
11. Lettuce hem skirt
    skirt with a frilled hem at the bottom
12. Lace skirt
    skirt with a lace overlay or embellishments

M

1. Minidress
   dress with a hemline above the knees
2. Mock neck shirt
   shirt with a collar that covers most of the neck, but not as much as a turtleneck
3. Moccasins
   soft, flat slipper-style shoe originating among the North American tribes
4. Miniskirt
   skirt with a hemline above the knees
5. Mittens
   warm hand covering split into two sections for the thumb and the other four fingers
6. Midriff top
   short top that exposes the stomach
7. Mary Janes
   flat, round-toed shoe with a strap across the top of the foot
8. Micromini skirt
   very short skirt
9. Maxi dress
   ankle-length dress
10. Macrame vest
    vest made from cords knotted into decorative patterns
11. Midi skirt
    calf-length skirt
12. Mules
    backless shoe
13. Muff
    tube made of fur or fabric designed to keep the hands warm
14. Maxi skirt
    skirt that reaches the ankle
15. Midi dress
    dress with a calf-length hem
16. Mermaid dress
    close-fitted formal dress that flares out at or below the knee

N

1. Nightgown
   loose, long garment worn in bed
2. Negligee
   dressing gown made from thin, soft fabric
3. Nightshirt
   long, loose shirt worn in bed

O

1. Overshirt
   pullover shirt worn over another shirt
2. Oxford shirt
   button-up dress shirt made from Oxford cloth
3. Oxford shoes
   lace-up shoes with a low heel
4. Overalls
   trousers with an attached front flap and shoulder straps
5. Overcoat
   long, warm coat worn over clothing
6. Overskirt
   outer skirt worn over other layers of skirt or dress
7. Open cardigan
   a cardigan sweater with no buttons or fasteners down the front

P

1. Pajamas
   clothes to wear in bed
2. Polo shirt
   short-sleeved, casual shirt with a collar and buttoned neckline
3. Pumps
   high-heeled shoe with a low-cut front
4. Petticoat
   underskirt, often with lace or ruffles, that adds volume to a skirt or dress
5. Parka
   windproof, often fur-lined jacket designed for cold weather
6. Pullover
   garment (often a sweater) that you put on by pulling it over the head
7. Pinafore
   similar to an apron, but usually worn over a dress specifically
8. Palazzo pants
   loose, wide-leg women’s pants
9. Poncho
   loose-fitting, blanket-like cloak
10. Pants
    trousers
11. Peplum top
    shirt with a gathered and flared strip of fabric at the waist
12. Poodle skirt
    long, full skirt with an applique of a poodle popularized in the 1950s
13. Pashmina
    shawl made from fine goat wool
14. Playsuit
    one-piece garment worn by babies and children that covers the whole body
15. Peter Pan blouse
    blouse featuring a flat collar with rounded corners
16. Peplum dress
    dress with a flared strip of fabric attached at the waist
17. Pleated skirt
    skirt with vertical pressed creases in the fabric
18. Pleated pants
    pants with pressed folds on the front
19. Pinstripe suit
    suit printed with very thin vertical stripes
20. Patchwork coat
    coat made by sewing together small pieces of cloth in various colors and patterns
21. Puffer jacket
    waist- or hip-length coat made of puffy, insulated material for warmth

Q

1. Quilted jacket
   insulated jacket with stitching, usually in a diamond pattern
2. Quick-dry athleticwear
   sweat-resistant pants, shorts, and shirts designed for working out
3. Quarter strap shoes
   women’s shoes with an ankle strap
4. Quad skates
   roller skates with two front and two back wheels

R

1. Raincoat
   long, waterproof coat
2. Running shorts
   short, breathable shorts designed to allow ease of movement for runners
3. Ruched top
   shirt with the fabric gathered along the seam(s)
4. Robe
   long, loose garment with a tie at the waist
5. Rainboots
   waterproof boots
6. Riding pants
   pants that fit wide in the thighs and tight in the calves, with reinforced fabric along the inseam
7. Romper
   similar to a jumpsuit but with attached shorts rather than pants
8. Raglan top
   shirt with a sleeve that starts at the collar rather than the shoulder
9. Ruched skirt
   skirt with gathered fabric on the sides

S

1. Shrug
   cropped top similar to a cardigan, but covering less of the body
2. Smock
   loose dress or shirt with the fabric gathered at the top
3. Sandals
   light, warm-weather shoe with straps that hold the sole to the foot
4. Skirt
   garment that fastens around the waist and hangs down around the legs
5. Shorts
   short pants that reach no longer than the knees
6. Scarf
   length of fabric worn around the neck for decoration or extra warmth
7. Suit
   trouser, jacket, and shirt set intended to be worn together
8. Singlet
   sleeveless shirt worn under or in place of a shirt
9. Socks
   garment that covers the foot and part of the leg
10. Sundress
    lightweight sleeveless dress with thin shoulder straps
11. Slacks
    casual trousers
12. Sarong
    cloth wrap to cover the body; often paired with a swimsuit
13. Sweater
    knitted long-sleeve shirt worn during the colder seasons
14. Sweatsuit
    matching sweatshirt and sweatpant set
15. Sweatshirt
    loose, thick, long-sleeved shirt worn for leisure or exercise
16. Sweatpants
    loose, warm pants with an elastic or drawstring waist, worn for exercising or lounging
17. Sheath dress
    close-fitting dress
18. Swimsuit
    water-resistant garment designed for swimming
19. Slippers
    soft, comfortable slip-on shoes to wear around the house
20. Stockings
    nylon or silk coverings for the leg and foot
21. Sunhat
    wide-brimmed hat to protect the head and neck from sun exposure
22. Suspenders
    shoulder straps that fasten to the waistband of pants to hold them up
23. Shift dress
    a dress that hangs straight down from the shoulders rather than tapering in at the waist
24. Shawl
    large square or rectangular piece of fabric worn over the shoulders
25. Shirt
    garment that covers the upper body
26. Swimming trunks
    shorts designed for swimming
27. Sweetheart top
    shirt with a curved neckline shaped like the top of a heart
28. Stiletto heels
    shoe with a thin, tall heel
29. Seersucker suit
    suit made from thin, puckered fabric with narrow stripes
30. Shalwar
    lightweight, loose South Asian trousers usually worn with a kameez
31. Sari
    South Asian draped garment made of cotton or silk
32. Serape
    striped blanket or shawl originating in Latin America

T

1. Tank top
   sleeveless shirt
2. Tutu
   fitted bodice and short, full skirt worn by a ballet dancer
3. Tunic
   long, loose shirt
4. Twinset
   matching pullover and cardigan
5. T-shir
   short-sleeved casual top that has a “T” shape when spread out flat
6. Toga
   draped, flowing dress typically covering the whole body aside from the right arm
7. Toe socks
   socks with individual segments for each toe
8. Tube top
   strapless top made from stretchy material
9. Trousers
   pants
10. Tie-dye t-shirt
    shirt dyed by tying parts of it to create colorful patterns in the dye
11. Tracksuit
    sweatshirt or thin jacket and pants to wear while exercising
12. Tie
    fabric worn around the collar with a knot tied at the front
13. Turtleneck
    garment with a high and tight collar that covers the neck
14. Trapeze dress
    dress that gets wider toward the waist and legs

U

1. Undergarments
   garments worn beneath other clothes, such as undershirts and underwear
2. Undershirt
   thin shirt worn under other shirts for extra warmth or to protect the overshirt from sweat
3. Uniform
   clothing worn by members of the same organization or profession, such as airline pilot uniforms
4. Unitard
   one-piece, stretchy garment that covers the body from the neck to knees or feet

V

1. Vest
   sleeveless, waist-length garment with buttons on the front; usually layered with a shirt and/or jacket
2. Velvet dress
   dress made of velvet fabric, which is closely woven and has a thick, short pile
3. V-neck t-shirt
   shirt with a pointed neckline shaped like the letter “V”
4. Visor
   style of hat with a stiff brim but no head covering
5. Vegan leather jacket
   jacket made from faux leather material
6. Vegan leather shoes
   boots, dress shoes, or sandals made from faux leather
7. Vegan leather belt
   belt made from faux leather material
8. Vintage
   clothing produced in previous decades

W

1. Wellies
   Wellington waterproof boots
2. Wedding gown
   formal gown worn by a bride
3. Waistcoat
   vest worn over a shirt and under a jacket
4. Wetsuit
   tight-fitting, water-resistant garment designed for diving, surfing, and other water sports
5. Woven top
   shirt made of fabric that is woven rather than knit or sewn
6. Wrap dress
   dress that closes by wrapping one side over the other and tying it
7. Wool hat
   hat made of wool material
8. Wool scarf
   scarf made of wool material
9. Wool sweater
   sweater made of wool material
10. Wedge boots
    boots with a solid sole that forms a wedge shape
11. Wedge sandals
    sandals with a solid sole that forms a wedge shape
12. Western boots
    cowboy boots
13. Westernwear
    traditional clothing inspired by the styles of the Western U.S. in the 19th century
14. Wide-calf boots
    boots that are extra wide in the calf for larger legs
15. Work boots
    heavy-duty, protective boots
16. Wife beater
    sleeveless undershirt
17. Wing collared shirt
    shirt featuring a high, stiff collar with the top corners turned down

X

1. X-line dress
   dress with a fitted waist and full shoulders, creating an hourglass shape

Y

1. Yoga pants
   stretchy athletic pants
2. Yarmulke
   skullcap worn by Jewish men

Z

1. Zoot suit
   men’s suit with a loose jacket and high-waisted trousers popularized in the 1940s
2. Zip-off pants
   convertible pants that zip off at the knee to create shorts
3. Zip-up hoodie
   hoodie that has a zipper rather than being a pullover

Activity: Discovering International Fashion

While our list above covers a wide variety of clothing types, there are plenty more that are unique to different countries and regions throughout the world.

Complete the following activity to find out more about international clothing styles and the unique, beautiful garments people have worn worldwide and throughout history!

• Step 1: Choose a country.
  You can choose your own if you’d like to dig into history, but it’s even more interesting to choose a country where you’re unfamiliar with the culture!
• Step 2: Choose a time period.
  Are you curious about what people are wearing now in the country you chose, or would you prefer to see what they were wearing decades or centuries ago?
• Step 3: Search for styles.
  The search terms “[country name]” + “[time period]” + “fashion,” “traditional clothing,” or “clothing” should bring up plenty of results. For example, a search of “Poland 1970s fashion” brings up articles on fashion in Poland after World War II and Poland’s popular culture in the 1970s and 1980s. Likewise, “Japan 1700s traditional clothing” brings up great resources on the history of the kimono and other garments.
• Step 4: Explore neighboring countries.
  Some fashion trends emerge from necessity — for example, wearing warmer clothes if you live in a cold-weather climate! You might find it enlightening to see the trends and styles that were prominent in countries or regions nearby your original choice. What commonalities and differences do you notice? Do the silhouettes, fabrics, patterns, or colors vary between the countries?