Clothes in Italian: 257 Words and Phrases

As you know, Italy is home to one of the fashion capitals of the world—Milan—but make no mistake, there isn’t anywhere in the Boot where you won’t be jazzed by the capi di abbigliamento (clothing).

Italian vestiti (clothes) are so incredible that department stores and boutiques from around the globe send their buyers to see the latest fashions, gauge trends and, of course, buy amazing clothing!

Just another reason to learn some Italian clothing vocabulary and prepare yourself to converse like a true fashionista!

In this post, you’ll learn everything from essential Italian shopping and clothing vocabulary to tips for shopping in Italy.

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Key Italian Phrases for Trying on Clothes

Would you like to try on some clothes while shopping in Italy? These words and phrases will make that a seamless affair!

Italian	English
Voglio provare questo.	I want to try this on.
Avete un camerino di prova?	Do you have a changing room?
Hai questo in un'altra taglia?	Do you have this in another size?
Mi porteresti una taglia diversa, per favore?	Would you bring me a different size, please?
Taglia	Size
Piccola	Small
Media	Medium
Grande	Large
Fai modifiche?	Do you do alterations?
Questo deve essere accorciato.	This needs to be shortened.
Questo deve essere allungato.	This needs to be lengthened.
Questo vestito è troppo stretto.	This dress is too tight.
Questi pantaloni sono troppo larghi.	These pants are too loose.
Quanto tempo ci vorrà per fare le modifiche a questo vestito?	How long will it take for you to alter this dress?
Sto cercando…	I'm looking for...
Ho bisogno di…	I need...
Mi scusi	Excuse me.
Che taglia è?	What size is it?
Che taglia porta?	What size are you?
È una taglia di troppo/in meno.	It's a size too big/small.
Avete la taglia 34 di questo?	Do you have this in a size 4?
Posso provarlo?	Can I try this on?
Dove sono i camerini?	Where are the dressing rooms?
Il mio numero di scarpe è 34.	My shoe size is 34.
Di solito porto la taglia S.	I usually wear a size small.

Talking About Clothing in Italian

Italian	English
È richiesto un abbigliamento formale?	Is formal attire required?
Cosa mi metto?	What should I wear?
Come sto?	How do I look?
Stai benissimo!	You look great!
Adoro i tuoi sandali!	I love your sandals!
Ti piacciono queste scarpe?	Do you like these shoes?
Che bella gonna. È nuova?	What a beautiful skirt. Is it new?
Qual è il dress code?	What's the dress code?
Ho bisogno di un cappotto?	Do I need a coat?
Le tue nuove scarpe sono fantastiche!	Your new shoes are amazing!
Quella giacca era costosa?	Was that jacket expensive?
Dove hai comprato quella sciarpa?	Where did you buy that scarf?
Ho la stessa maglietta!	I have the same shirt!
Quel vestito è firmato?	Is that suit designer?
Stai benissimo con quella giacca.	You look great in that jacket?
Dovrei comprare le scarpe blu o rosse?	Should I buy the blue or the red shoes?
Sei bellissima stasera.	You look gorgeous tonight.
Questa cosa vecchia? Ce l'ho da sempre.	This old thing? I've had it forever.

Italian Dress Codes

Italian	English
Cravatta nera	Black tie
Black tie facoltativo	Black tie optional
Black tie creativo	Black tie creative
Look da sera	Evening wear
Abito da sera	Evening gown
Giacca e cravatta	Suit and tie
Elegante	Elegant
Look da lavoro	Office attire
Uniforme	Uniform
Uniforme scolastica	School uniform
Business formal	Business formal
Formale	Formal
Semi-formale	Semi-formal
Casual chic	Stylish casual
Abbigliamento casual	Casual
Frac	Full evening dress
Costumi	Costumes

Italian Words for Clothing Colors, Patterns and Fabrics

Have you found the perfect clothing item or accessory—but you’d like a different color? No worries! Asking for colors and fabric choices in Italian is a breeze.

Italian	English
Hai questo in altri colori?	Do you have this in other colors?
Vorrei questo in un altro colore, per favore.	I'd like this in another color, please.
Che colori hai?	What colors do you have?
Vorrei questo in…	I'd like this in…
Rosso	Red
Blu	Blue
Verde	Green
Nero	Black
Bianco	White
Giallo	Yellow
Arancione	Orange
Viola	Purple
Rosa	Pink
Grigio	Gray
Marrone	Brown
Argento	Silver
Oro	Gold
Paillettes	Sequins
A strisce	Striped
A quadri	Checked
Zebrato	Zebra
Pitonato	Python
Leopardato	Leopard
Gessato	Pin striped
Scozzese	Tartan
Fiorato	Flowered
Tinta unita	Plain
A pois	Polka-dot
Cotone	Cotton
Lana	Wool
Rafia	Raffia
Pile	Pile
Macramé	Macrame
Iuta	Jute
Cachemire	Cashmere
Pizzo	Lace
Tulle	Tulle
Ciniglia	Chenille
Nylon	Nylon
Lycra	Lycra
Poliestere	Polyester
Raso	Satin
Tela	Canvas
Jersey	Jersey
Pelle lucida	Patent leather
Pelle scamosciata	Suede
Pelle	Leather
Velluto	Velvet
Denim	Denim
Chiffon	Chiffon
Seta	Silk
Lino	Linen

Important Italian Phrases for Purchasing Clothes

Now that you’ve tried some clothing on and found your perfect size and favorite color—you can get into the nitty-gritty of actually buying the clothes you want!

Purchasing capi di abbigliamento  (clothing) in Italy is a rewarding adventure.

Something to keep in mind is that some of the smaller clothing stalls, especially in flea markets and side-streets shops, don’t accept credit cards. They run on a strictly cash-only structure, so be prepared with cash or be ready to make a quick run to an ATM.

Italian	English
Quanto costa questo?	How much does this cost?
Quanto costa questa sciarpa di seta?	How much does this silk scarf cost?
Qual è il prezzo di due?	What's the price of two?
È in vendita?	Is this on sale?
C'è uno sconto?	Is there a discount?
Accettate carte di credito?	Do you accept credit cards?
Posso pagare in contanti?	Can I pay by cash?
Puoi consegnarlo?	Can you deliver it?
Quando arriverà?	When will it arrive?
Vorrei restituire questo, per favore.	I'd like to return this, please.
Lo prendo, grazie.	I'll take this, thank you.
Come vorrebbe pagare?	How would you like to pay?
È/Sono in saldo.	It's/They're on sale.
La carta di credito	Credit card
contanti	Cash
Il portafoglio	Walllet
La cassa	Cash register
Scontrino	Receipt

And if you need something for a child, ask for abbigliamento per bambini (children’s clothing) to see the latest kids’ fashions!

Shopping in Italian is a fantastic way to have an immersive Italian experience. You’ll get a feel for the culture, fashion and maybe even make some fast friendships.

Ladies First! Italian Clothes Vocabulary for Women

Italian	English
Il vestito	Dress
La gonna	Skirt
La gonna corta	Short skirt
La gonna lunga	Long skirt
Le calze	Stockings
I collant	Tights
La camicetta	Blouse
Lo scialle	Shawl
La camicia da notte	Nightdress
Mutande	Panties
Il reggiseno	Bra
La borsa	Purse
I tacchi alti	High heels
Abito da sera	Evening dress
Abito corto	Short dress
Vestito lungo	Long dress
Maxi abito	Maxi dress
Abito formale	Formal dress
Vestito da ballo	Ball gown
Abito da cerimonia	Ceremonial dress
Tunica	Tunic dress
Caffettano	Kaftan dress
Abito da sposa	Wedding dress
Pinocchietto	Capri pants
Fuseaux	Leggings
Pantalone a cavallo basso	Harem pants
Blusa	Blouse
Tailleur	Suit
Minigonna	Mini skirt
Longuette	Midi skirt
Gonna a matita	Pencil skirt
Gonna a trapezio	A-line skirt
Gonna plissettata	Pleated skirt

Words for Clothes in Italian for Men

Italian	English
Il completo	Suit
Il soprabito	Overcoat
La cravatta	Necktie
La cravatta a farfalla	Bow tie
Il gilet / Il gilè / Il panciotto	Vest
La camicia	Dress shirt
I pantaloni	Trousers
La felpa	Sweatshirt, fleece
I boxer	Boxer shorts, boxers
Le bretelle	Suspenders
Cappotto	Coat
Trench	Trenchcoat
Parka	Parka
Bomber	Bomber jacket
Giubbotto	Jacket
Impermeabile	Raincoat
Giacca a vento	Windbreaker
Pantalone sartoriale	Suit pants
Pantalone elegante	Dress pants
Jeans	Jeans
Pantaloncino	Shorts
Pantalone da ginnastica	Track pants
Pantalone della tuta	Sweatpants
Pantalone cargo	Cargo pants
Pantalone chino	Chinos
Maglietta	T-shirt
Camicia button down	Button down shirt
Maglione	Sweater
Cardigan	Cardigan
Dolcevita	Turtleneck
Polo	Polo shirt
Canotta	Tank top
Canottiera da uomo	Singlet
Tuta da ginnastica	Sweatsuit
Giacca	Blazer
Giacca a doppio petto	Double-breasted jacket

Underwear and Sleepwear in Italian

Italian	English
Boxer	Boxer shorts
Reggiseno	Bra
Mutandina da donna	Panties
Mutandina	Underwear (for men)
Biancheria intima	Lingerie
Perizoma	G-string
Tanga	Thong
Collant	Pantyhose
Calzino	Socks
Catsuit	Catsuit
Canottiera	Undershirt
Il pigiama	Pajamas
L’accappatoio	Robe
Mascherina per occhi	Eye mask

Headwear and Accessories in Italian

Italian	English
Accessori	Accessories
Occhiali da sole	Sunglasses
Ombrello	Umbrella
Cravatta	Tie
Orologio	Watch
Zaino	Backpack
Borsa	Bag
Cintura	Belt
Cappello	Hat
Berretto	Beanie
Basco	Beret
Cappello da baseball	Baseball cap

Beachwear in Italian

Italian	English
Costume da bagno da uomo	Swimming trunks (for men)
Costume da bagno da donna	Swimming suit (for women)
Duepezzi	Bikini
Pareo	Sarong
Cappello di paglia	Straw hat
Infradito	Flip flops
Costume intero	One piece bathing suit

Footwear in Italian

Italian	English
Le calzature	Footwear
Le calzature da uomo	Men's footwear
Le scarpe da donna	Women's footwear
Le calzature formali	Formal footwear
Le scarpe per bambini	Children's footwear
Le calzature estive	Summer footwear
Le calzature invernali	Winter footwear
Le calzature sportive	Sports footwear
Le scarpe	Shoes
Gli stivali	Boots
Gli stivaletti	Ankle boots
Gli stivali alti	Knee-high boots
I sandali infradito / Le infradito	Flip-flops
I sandali	Sandals
Le pantofole	Slippers
Mocassini	Moccasins
Sneaker	Sneakers
Zoccoli	Clogs
Scarpe da corsa	Running shoes
Scarponcini da trekking	Hiking boots
Scarpe col tacco	Stilettos
Décolleté	Pumps
Stivali di gomma	Rain boots
Scarpe basse	Flats
Scarpe da ginnastica	Gym shoes

Some Tips for Shopping in Italy

Now that you know the essential phrases and vocabulary, you’re ready to go shopping in Italy!

Shopping in Italy is super fun! I’ll be honest—I’ve lost days just wandering the shops, vintage markets and clothing stalls. They’re home to some of my greatest Italian memories!

There are so many lovely items to look at, try on and appreciate. 

Rome, Milan and Venice are featured as Italian shopping hot spots, but, honestly, anywhere is a great spot. If you’re looking for designer clothing, then certainly consider the bigger cities, but if you’re checking out authentic everyday fashion, remember the small shops, vintage flea markets, boutiques and stalls.

Want that true Italian look? Then go for authentic, Italian-made goods.

Often, in small shops, the shopkeeper is also the seamstress, which sets you up for a very unique opportunity to discuss all things related to clothing in Italian with someone who’s a true expert. You’ll not only get to practice your Italian but also learn more about Italian fashion and culture!

With these Italian clothing words and phrases, you’ll be able to speak with confidence wherever you shop! To make sure you have the confidence you want to speak about fashion, you can prepare yourself by watching Italian videos that talk about fashion-related topics. You can also try searching for fashion-related words on FluentU to hear them used in context.

 

Let’s face it—shopping in Italy is a blast. It’s just a magical country with so much to offer and the friendliest citizens around—what’s not to love about browsing and buying under those conditions? I love shopping in the Boot—and I haven’t met anyone who doesn’t!

Shopping in Italy allows travelers to learn about the country, culture and styles—and get some really sweet conversational practice in with locals. And trust me, local Italians love to chat about clothing and fashion; food, too—but that’s a story for a different day.

Download: This blog post is available as a convenient and portable PDF that you can take anywhere. Click here to get a copy. (Download)