Verbs Relating to Clothing: English Vocabulary List

to close and secure clothing by attaching the parts that hold it together

"He will button his shirt."

"It was so cold outside that he had to button his coat all the way up."

to provide someone or ourselves with clothes; to dress someone or ourselves

"Clothe the children warmly for winter."

"The organization works to clothe homeless people by collecting donations of warm coats hats and gloves during the winter months."

to wear clothes that are too formal or elaborate for an occasion

"Do not overdress for casual parties."

"It is better to overdress for a formal event than to arrive looking too casual and disrespectful to the hosts and other guests."

to put on a piece of clothing hastily and without care

"Throw on a jacket before leaving."

"She was running late so she just threw on a pair of jeans and a t shirt before rushing out the door to catch her bus."

to put on a piece of clothing to see if it fits and how it looks

"Try on this jacket before buying."

"You should try on the jacket before buying it to make sure it fits you properly."

to open the buttons of a piece of clothing

"Unbutton your tight shirt after eating."

"He began to unbutton his shirt after a long day at work because he wanted to change into something more comfortable and casual."

to put on clothes that are not formal or elaborate enough for an occasion

"Do not underdress for formal events."

"He worried that he might underdress for the wedding because the invitation said black tie which meant formal evening wear was required."

to take one's clothes off

"Please undress for the medical exam."

"The doctor asked the patient to undress and put on a paper gown before the physical examination began."

to undo or untie; to make something become loose or open

"Unfasten your seat belt now please."

"The toddler learned how to unfasten the buckles on his car seat which worried his mother because it was not safe."

to separate the parts of a lace, string, etc. that form a knot

"Untie the knot carefully with fingers."

"She had to untie the knot in her shoelace before she could take off her muddy shoes and clean them."

to separate the two sides of a zipper on a piece of clothing or other item by pulling the slider or tab down

"Unzip your jacket before going inside."

"He unzipped his jacket as soon as he entered the warm house because he was feeling too hot with the heavy coat on."

to fasten a piece of clothing, etc. with a zipper

"Zip up your coat against the cold."

"Do not forget to zip up your backpack before you leave the house or your books might fall out on the way to school."

to make or adapt something specifically to fit an individual's needs or requirements, especially in relation to clothing or other bespoke items

"They tailor-make suits for clients."

"The designer was able to tailor-make a unique wedding dress that perfectly matched the bride's personal style and measurements."

to put on one's clothes

"I need to get dressed quickly."

"I need to get dressed quickly because we are already late for the meeting at work."

to wear a garment by pulling it over one's body without fastening it

"Pull on your boots quickly please."

"She pulled on her warm boots before going outside to play in the snow with her little brother."

to dress in a more casual or informal manner than usual, often for a specific occasion or to conform to a dress code

"We will dress down today."

"On Fridays, the office allows employees to dress down in jeans and casual shirts."

to be wearing an item of clothing or accessory

"What do you have on?"

"She looked quite stylish today, and I admired the elegant scarf she had on around her neck."

to put on a piece of clothing or footwear quickly and easily, often without fastening or tying it

"Slip on your shoes and go."

"He slipped on his sandals and walked out to the mailbox to get the morning newspaper before breakfast."

to dress up or to put on clothes for a particular occasion

"Tog out the children for school."

"The actors were togged out in elaborate period costumes for the historical drama set in Victorian England."

to open or release a buckle or fastening from a belt, shoe, or other item of clothing

"Unbuckle your safety belt after parking."

"The pilot reminded passengers to remain seated with their seatbelts fastened until the plane came to a complete stop before unbuckling."

to clothe someone

"The tailor will garment him."

"The organization aims to garment the homeless population with essential winter clothing."

to dress someone, or to supply with clothing

"They will apparel the actors."

"The hotel staff will apparel arriving guests in comfortable robes and slippers upon check-in."