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.
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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.