Clothes in Spanish: The only guide you'll need
Alicia Fernández
• Jun 21, 2025
• 8 minutes
Updated Jun 21, 2025
Ready to upgrade your Spanish skills with a bit of style? Whether you’re traveling to a Spanish–speaking country, shopping in a local store, or even chatting with Spanish–speaking friends, knowing the names of clothing items is super helpful!
In this guide, we’ll cover everything from head to toe, and everything in between, so you’ll be fully equipped to talk about fashion in Spanish. We’ll dive into essential clothing vocabulary, different types of headwear, tops, bottoms, outerwear, shoes, and accessories, and some commonly used verbs and adjectives. Finally, we will wrap it all up with some fun activities to test your skills! So, let’s get started and have some fun learning how to speak stylishly in Spanish!
Let’s take a look at some basic vocabulary starting with tops. When it comes to clothing, tops are an essential part of any wardrobe. Whether you're looking for something casual or more formal, there are various styles of tops to choose from. Below is a list of common tops and their translations in Spanish:
¡Ojo! Keep in mind that in Spanish, the vocabulary for clothing items can differ based on the country or region. For example, the word sweater can be translated as jersey in Spain, but in Latin American countries, it's commonly referred to as suéter. Similarly, t-shirt is often called camiseta in both Spain and Latin America, but in some regions, it might be called polera or playera.
Fun fact! Do you know the song La camisa negra? It’s a hit song by Colombian singer Juanes and it became a global sensation in 2004 with its catchy tune and emotional lyrics about heartbreak. Although the rhythm is upbeat, the song’s mention of a black shirt led to various cultural interpretations, making it one of Juanes' most iconic tracks worldwide.
When it comes to clothing, bottoms refer to items worn on the lower half of the body, including pants, skirts, and shorts. While many bottoms are unisex, there are certain terms that are more commonly used for women or men, depending on the region or culture. Below is a list of common bottoms in both English and Spanish:
Can you think of any more?
Outerwear refers to the clothing worn over other garments for warmth, protection, or fashion, typically in colder weather. This category includes jackets, coats, and other pieces designed to protect the body from the elements:
Shoes are an essential part of everyday attire, providing both style and comfort. From casual sneakers to elegant heels, the world of footwear is diverse. Here’s a list of common shoes, which ones do you use?
Fun fact! Another catchy song by another Colombian singer is Tacones Rojos. It was released in 2021 by Sebastián Yatra. The song features an upbeat melody and romantic lyrics, with red heels symbolizing confidence and allure. It tells the story of a love that captivates, becoming a hit across Latin America and beyond.
Accessories are the finishing touches to any outfit, adding both functionality and style. From bags and jewelry to belts and scarves, accessories can completely transform a look.
When talking about clothing, certain verbs are frequently used to describe actions related to wearing, caring for, and adjusting garments. These verbs help convey the different steps involved in handling clothes, from putting them on to washing and folding them. Below is a list of commonly used verbs for clothing:
Tiene que arreglarse el vestido porque le queda grande.
(She needs to alter the dress because it's too big.)
Se abrochó la camisa rápidamente.
(He buttoned his shirt quickly.)
Secaré la ropa al sol.
(I will dry the clothes in the sun.)
Por favor, dobla bien las toallas.
(Please fold the towels neatly.)
Cuelga el abrigo en la percha.
(Hang your coat on the hanger.)
Francisco tiene que planchar la camisa para la reunión.
(Francisco needs to iron the shirt for the meeting.)
Esta bufanda hará juego con su vestido.
(This scarf will match your dress nicely.)
Solange se va a poner el jersey porque hace frío.
(Solange is going to put her sweater on because it's cold.)
Mi madre va a coser el botón de la chaqueta.
(My mom will sew the button back onto my jacket.)
Ella siempre se quita los zapatos al entrar en casa.
(She always takes her shoes off when she enters the house.)
Él debería atarse los cordones antes de correr.
(He should tie his shoelaces before running.)
Me tengo que probar este vestido para ver si me queda bien.
(I have to try on this dress to see if it fits.)
¡Ojo! Remember that colors are also adjectives. Just remember they also agree in gender and number with the nouns they modify (camisa blanca, pantalones negros).
In this article, we've explored a variety of Spanish vocabulary related to clothing, including tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. We’ve also covered commonly used verbs like llevar puesto (wear), planchar (iron), coser (sew), and quedar (fit), along with plenty of examples to help you see these words in action. I hope you enjoyed reading and picked up some new terms you can use with friends or next time you're shopping in your favorite Spanish-speaking destination. Now, it's time to test your knowledge—are you ready to practice what you’ve learned?
Remember to look up any words you do not understand in an online dictionary like wordreference.com/ or linguee.com/
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Answer key:
a. Un accesorio que usas para sujetar los pantalones a la cintura.
b. Un accesorio que usas para protegerte los ojos del sol.
c. Un adorno que llevas en las muñecas.
d. Un accesorio que te pones en el cuello para abrigarte en invierno.
e. Un accesorio para llevar objetos personales.
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Answer key:
arrugada / nuevo / grande / ajustados / cómodos
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Alicia Fernández is a content writer at Berges Institute.
