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
- Ankle socks
short sock that ends just at the ankle - Anorak
waterproof, hooded jacket - Angora sweater
sweater made from the hair of an angora goat or rabbit - Afghan shawl
knitted or crocheted shawl - Apron
a protective garment that covers the front of your clothes while cooking, painting, or doing other potentially messy tasks - Ascot
men’s silk necktie - Argyle sweater
sweater with a pattern of diamonds in various colors - Art smock
loose dress or blouse that covers your clothes while working on art projects like painting - A-line dress
a dress with a hem wider than its shoulders - Anklewarmers
tubular knitted garments that cover the ankles for extra warmth - Athletic shorts
sweat-wicking shorts designed for workouts and sports - A-line skirt
a skirt that’s fitted at the hip and gets wider toward the hem - Air Jordans
a popular style of Nike sneaker - Abaya
traditional full-length garment worn by some Muslim women - Arm warmer
knitted sleeves worn on the arms - Almond-toe shoe
a shoe with a toe that isn’t too pointed, rounded, or square
B
- Beret
a felt or cloth cap with a round band and flattish top - Brassiere
undergarment that covers the chest - Bell bottoms
pants with legs that flare widely below the knee - Boots
sturdy footwear that covers the foot and ankle - Bloomers
old-fashioned, loose-fitting underpants - Baseball tee
three-quarter-sleeve shirt with sleeves in a different color than the body - Ball gown
full-length dress worn to formal events - Belt
a strap with a buckle worn around the waist - Bermuda shorts
knee-length shorts - Blazer
lightweight jacket - Bathrobe
a terry cloth robe worn before and after bathing - Beanie
a close-fitting hat - Boat shoes
flat canvas or leather shoes designed not to slip on boat decks - Baseball cap
a hat with a large visor and adjustable band - Bikini
two-piece women’s swimsuit - Blouse
a shirt with a collar, buttons, and sleeves - Bathing suit
garment worn while swimming - Boxer shorts
loose-fitting men’s underpants that look similar to shorts - Balaclava
close-fitting garment for cold weather that covers the whole head and neck except for the eyes - Briefs
close-fitting underpants - Bustier top
close-fitting and structured strapless women’s top - Bowtie
necktie tied in the shape of a bow - Boubou
long, colorful garment worn by men and women in countries including Nigeria and Senegal - Bodysuit
one-piece, close-fitting stretch garment - Batwing top
a top with wing-like, wide sleeves - Bolero
a short, open jacket - Bustle
padding or framing worn under a skirt to puff it out - Bias-cut dress
a dress cut diagonally across the grain
C
- Cardigan
a long-sleeved knit sweater, typically with buttons or other closures on the front - Coat
long-sleeved outerwear worn outdoors in cold weather - Corduroys
pants made of thick, velvety cotton fabric - Coveralls
one-piece garment that covers a person’s clothes when doing manual work, such as mechanic work - Cloak
loose-fitting, sleeveless robe with a hood worn outdoors in cold weather - Clogs
shoes with thick, wooden soles - Camisole
sleeveless top with shoulder straps and decorative trim - Capri pants
fitted, calf-length pants - Crop top
t-shirt, tank top, sweater, or sweatshirt cut so the bottom hem falls between the chest and stomach - Corset
tight-fitting, structured undergarment - Chaps
leather pants with no seat worn by ranchers and cowboys - Cummerbund
a sash worn around the waist with a men’s suit - Cowl neck sweater
neckline with draped fabric that hangs in folds
D
- Dinner jacket
short, formal jacket for men with no tails - Denim jacket
jacket made of blue jean fabric - Denim skirt
skirt made of blue jean fabric - Dungarees
blue denim overalls - Dress
one-piece women’s garment that covers the torso and extends down the legs - Dress shirt
formal white shirt - Denim shorts
shorts made of blue jean fabric - Down jacket
puffer jacket filled with down (feathers) for warmth - Dashiki
loose, brightly-colored tunic originating in West Africa - Dressing gown
loose robe worn while preparing to dress in the morning - Dolman top
women’s shirt with wide sleeves - Dirndl
dress with a bodice and full skirt worn in southern Germany
E
- Earmuffs
headband with attached ear coverings - Embroidered top
shirt with decorative, sewn-on thread patterns - Espadrilles
canvas shoe with a fiber sole - Eyelet top
shirt with a pattern of small, round holes around the hems - Eyelet dress
dress with a pattern of small, round holes around the hems - Empire-waist dress
a dress with a fitted bodice that drapes out under the bustline
F
- Fatigues
khaki, olive, or camouflaged outfit worn by soldiers - Fur coat
coat made of real or synthetic animal fur - Flannel shirt
long-sleeved wool or cotton button-up shirt, usually with a plaid pattern - Fedora
felt hat with a creased crown and curled brim - Fingerless gloves
gloves with no fingertips - Felt hat
hat made of felt material - Fleece jacket
light jacket made of soft fabric with a texture similar to sheep’s wool - Flannel jacket
jacket made of soft, woven fabric - Flip flops
plastic or rubber sandals with a strap between the big toe and second toe
G
- Golf shoes
waterproof leather shoes with sole spikes - Galoshes
waterproof shoe coverings for rainy days - Girdle
tight-fitting support garment worn around the waist - Gym shorts
breathable, sweat-wicking shorts designed for exercise - Gloves
hand coverings that protect against dirt or cold - Gaucho pants
calf-length, wide-legged trousers - Gown
long, formal dress, usually with a flowing skirt and fitted bodice
H
- Hightops
sneakers with high sides that cover the ankle - Hoodie
hooded sweatshirt - Hosiery
stockings, socks, and tights - Heels
shoes that are raised at the back of the foot - Hotpants
close-fitted short shorts - Herringbone jacket
classic British jacket with a herringbone print - Hawaiian shirt
short-sleeved button-up top with a colorful floral print - Hoop skirt
a skirt worn over support hoops for a voluminous look - Halter top
sleeveless shirt with straps that tie behind the neck - Herringbone dress
dress made from herringbone-print fabric - Housecoat
loose, lightweight robe to wear around the house - Hanbok
traditional Korean clothing - Hobble skirt
long skirt that tapers below the knee - Herringbone skirt
skirt made from herringbone-print fabric - Handkerchief hem dress
dress with an uneven hem made from triangular panels of fabric - Herringbone pants
pants made from herringbone-print fabric - Harem pants
loose-fitting pants that gather at the ankle - Handkerchief hem skirt
skirt made from panels of fabric that fall in triangular points - H-line dress
has a straight silhouette with a slight accent at the waist
I
- Inverness
sleeveless cloak with a removable cape - Irish linen shirt
shirt made of high-count linen produced in Ireland - Irrigation boots
waterproof rubber boots - In-line skates
roller skates with multiple wheels placed in a line on the middle of the sole - Izar
garment worn by some Muslim women that covers the whole body - Ice skates
skating boot with a blade attached to the bottom - Ihram clothing
garments worn by Muslim people during pilgrimages
J
- Jeans
denim pants - Jumper
can refer to a sweater or a collarless, sleeveless dress - Jean jacket
denim outerwear - Jellies
shoes made of PVC plastic - Joggers
stretchy, breathable pants designed for jogging - Jumpsuit
one-piece garment of an attached top and trousers - Jodhpurs
close-fitting pants designed for horseback riding - Jersey
uniform shirts worn in competitive sports like football and hockey - Jogging suit
loose shirt and sweatpants worn while exercising - Jacket
long-sleeved outerwear for cool or cold weather
K
- Kimono
long-loose robe with wide sleeves originating from Japan - Knee socks
socks that extend above the ankle to cover the calf - Knit sweater
sweater made from interlocking loops of wool or yarn - Kurta
loose, collarless shirt worn in South Asia - Kaftan
can refer to a long shirt/tunic or a long, loose dress - Kameez
long tunic originating from India - Knit scarf
scarf made by interlocking loops of yarn together - Kilt
pleated, knee-length tartan garment traditionally worn by Scottish men - Knickerbockers
pants rolled up to just below the knee - Keyhole top
shirt with a cutaway just below the collarbone
L
- Leather jacket
jacket made from tanned animal hide - Leather pants
pants made from tanned animal hide - Lace top
shirt with embellishments of lace - Leggings
soft, fitted pants made from a stretch material - Leotard
stretchy one-piece garment that covers the body from the shoulders to the top of the thighs; often worn by dancers - Lingerie
women’s intimate apparel - Lettuce hem top
skirt with frills around the neckline, sleeves, and/or bottom hem - Lace dress
dress with a lace overlay or embellishments - Loafers
shoe with a low, flat heel - Legwarmers
tubular garment that covers the leg from the ankle to the knee - Lettuce hem skirt
skirt with a frilled hem at the bottom - Lace skirt
skirt with a lace overlay or embellishments
M
- Minidress
dress with a hemline above the knees - Mock neck shirt
shirt with a collar that covers most of the neck, but not as much as a turtleneck - Moccasins
soft, flat slipper-style shoe originating among the North American tribes - Miniskirt
skirt with a hemline above the knees - Mittens
warm hand covering split into two sections for the thumb and the other four fingers - Midriff top
short top that exposes the stomach - Mary Janes
flat, round-toed shoe with a strap across the top of the foot - Micromini skirt
very short skirt - Maxi dress
ankle-length dress - Macrame vest
vest made from cords knotted into decorative patterns - Midi skirt
calf-length skirt - Mules
backless shoe - Muff
tube made of fur or fabric designed to keep the hands warm - Maxi skirt
skirt that reaches the ankle - Midi dress
dress with a calf-length hem - Mermaid dress
close-fitted formal dress that flares out at or below the knee
N
- Nightgown
loose, long garment worn in bed - Negligee
dressing gown made from thin, soft fabric - Nightshirt
long, loose shirt worn in bed
O
- Overshirt
pullover shirt worn over another shirt - Oxford shirt
button-up dress shirt made from Oxford cloth - Oxford shoes
lace-up shoes with a low heel - Overalls
trousers with an attached front flap and shoulder straps - Overcoat
long, warm coat worn over clothing - Overskirt
outer skirt worn over other layers of skirt or dress - Open cardigan
a cardigan sweater with no buttons or fasteners down the front
P
- Pajamas
clothes to wear in bed - Polo shirt
short-sleeved, casual shirt with a collar and buttoned neckline - Pumps
high-heeled shoe with a low-cut front - Petticoat
underskirt, often with lace or ruffles, that adds volume to a skirt or dress - Parka
windproof, often fur-lined jacket designed for cold weather - Pullover
garment (often a sweater) that you put on by pulling it over the head - Pinafore
similar to an apron, but usually worn over a dress specifically - Palazzo pants
loose, wide-leg women’s pants - Poncho
loose-fitting, blanket-like cloak - Pants
trousers - Peplum top
shirt with a gathered and flared strip of fabric at the waist - Poodle skirt
long, full skirt with an applique of a poodle popularized in the 1950s - Pashmina
shawl made from fine goat wool - Playsuit
one-piece garment worn by babies and children that covers the whole body - Peter Pan blouse
blouse featuring a flat collar with rounded corners - Peplum dress
dress with a flared strip of fabric attached at the waist - Pleated skirt
skirt with vertical pressed creases in the fabric - Pleated pants
pants with pressed folds on the front - Pinstripe suit
suit printed with very thin vertical stripes - Patchwork coat
coat made by sewing together small pieces of cloth in various colors and patterns - Puffer jacket
waist- or hip-length coat made of puffy, insulated material for warmth
Q
- Quilted jacket
insulated jacket with stitching, usually in a diamond pattern - Quick-dry athleticwear
sweat-resistant pants, shorts, and shirts designed for working out - Quarter strap shoes
women’s shoes with an ankle strap - Quad skates
roller skates with two front and two back wheels
R
- Raincoat
long, waterproof coat - Running shorts
short, breathable shorts designed to allow ease of movement for runners - Ruched top
shirt with the fabric gathered along the seam(s) - Robe
long, loose garment with a tie at the waist - Rainboots
waterproof boots - Riding pants
pants that fit wide in the thighs and tight in the calves, with reinforced fabric along the inseam - Romper
similar to a jumpsuit but with attached shorts rather than pants - Raglan top
shirt with a sleeve that starts at the collar rather than the shoulder - Ruched skirt
skirt with gathered fabric on the sides
S
- Shrug
cropped top similar to a cardigan, but covering less of the body - Smock
loose dress or shirt with the fabric gathered at the top - Sandals
light, warm-weather shoe with straps that hold the sole to the foot - Skirt
garment that fastens around the waist and hangs down around the legs - Shorts
short pants that reach no longer than the knees - Scarf
length of fabric worn around the neck for decoration or extra warmth - Suit
trouser, jacket, and shirt set intended to be worn together - Singlet
sleeveless shirt worn under or in place of a shirt - Socks
garment that covers the foot and part of the leg - Sundress
lightweight sleeveless dress with thin shoulder straps - Slacks
casual trousers - Sarong
cloth wrap to cover the body; often paired with a swimsuit - Sweater
knitted long-sleeve shirt worn during the colder seasons - Sweatsuit
matching sweatshirt and sweatpant set - Sweatshirt
loose, thick, long-sleeved shirt worn for leisure or exercise - Sweatpants
loose, warm pants with an elastic or drawstring waist, worn for exercising or lounging - Sheath dress
close-fitting dress - Swimsuit
water-resistant garment designed for swimming - Slippers
soft, comfortable slip-on shoes to wear around the house - Stockings
nylon or silk coverings for the leg and foot - Sunhat
wide-brimmed hat to protect the head and neck from sun exposure - Suspenders
shoulder straps that fasten to the waistband of pants to hold them up - Shift dress
a dress that hangs straight down from the shoulders rather than tapering in at the waist - Shawl
large square or rectangular piece of fabric worn over the shoulders - Shirt
garment that covers the upper body - Swimming trunks
shorts designed for swimming - Sweetheart top
shirt with a curved neckline shaped like the top of a heart - Stiletto heels
shoe with a thin, tall heel - Seersucker suit
suit made from thin, puckered fabric with narrow stripes - Shalwar
lightweight, loose South Asian trousers usually worn with a kameez - Sari
South Asian draped garment made of cotton or silk - Serape
striped blanket or shawl originating in Latin America
T
- Tank top
sleeveless shirt - Tutu
fitted bodice and short, full skirt worn by a ballet dancer - Tunic
long, loose shirt - Twinset
matching pullover and cardigan - T-shir
short-sleeved casual top that has a “T” shape when spread out flat - Toga
draped, flowing dress typically covering the whole body aside from the right arm - Toe socks
socks with individual segments for each toe - Tube top
strapless top made from stretchy material - Trousers
pants - Tie-dye t-shirt
shirt dyed by tying parts of it to create colorful patterns in the dye - Tracksuit
sweatshirt or thin jacket and pants to wear while exercising - Tie
fabric worn around the collar with a knot tied at the front - Turtleneck
garment with a high and tight collar that covers the neck - Trapeze dress
dress that gets wider toward the waist and legs
U
- Undergarments
garments worn beneath other clothes, such as undershirts and underwear - Undershirt
thin shirt worn under other shirts for extra warmth or to protect the overshirt from sweat - Uniform
clothing worn by members of the same organization or profession, such as airline pilot uniforms - Unitard
one-piece, stretchy garment that covers the body from the neck to knees or feet
V
- Vest
sleeveless, waist-length garment with buttons on the front; usually layered with a shirt and/or jacket - Velvet dress
dress made of velvet fabric, which is closely woven and has a thick, short pile - V-neck t-shirt
shirt with a pointed neckline shaped like the letter “V” - Visor
style of hat with a stiff brim but no head covering - Vegan leather jacket
jacket made from faux leather material - Vegan leather shoes
boots, dress shoes, or sandals made from faux leather - Vegan leather belt
belt made from faux leather material - Vintage
clothing produced in previous decades
W
- Wellies
Wellington waterproof boots - Wedding gown
formal gown worn by a bride - Waistcoat
vest worn over a shirt and under a jacket - Wetsuit
tight-fitting, water-resistant garment designed for diving, surfing, and other water sports - Woven top
shirt made of fabric that is woven rather than knit or sewn - Wrap dress
dress that closes by wrapping one side over the other and tying it - Wool hat
hat made of wool material - Wool scarf
scarf made of wool material - Wool sweater
sweater made of wool material - Wedge boots
boots with a solid sole that forms a wedge shape - Wedge sandals
sandals with a solid sole that forms a wedge shape - Western boots
cowboy boots - Westernwear
traditional clothing inspired by the styles of the Western U.S. in the 19th century - Wide-calf boots
boots that are extra wide in the calf for larger legs - Work boots
heavy-duty, protective boots - Wife beater
sleeveless undershirt - Wing collared shirt
shirt featuring a high, stiff collar with the top corners turned down
X
- X-line dress
dress with a fitted waist and full shoulders, creating an hourglass shape
Y
- Yoga pants
stretchy athletic pants - Yarmulke
skullcap worn by Jewish men
Z
- Zoot suit
men’s suit with a loose jacket and high-waisted trousers popularized in the 1940s - Zip-off pants
convertible pants that zip off at the knee to create shorts - 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?
Top 159 Things Starting With A: Household Items, Toys, Clothing, etc
Top 289 Things That Start With S: Household Items, Toys, Clothing, etc
Top 157 Things That Start With T: Toys, Clothing, etc
