Clothing Vocabulary at Macy's

Change or refresh the way you dress or present yourself.

Tone and use: Neutral and conversational; style refers to a person’s overall look. Talk about changing your wardrobe or trying a different look.

May not fit: If you only need one item replaced, say update my wardrobe or find a replacement.

Combine different items or colors in various ways to create outfits.

Tone and use: Common shopping and fashion phrase. Talk about making several combinations from the clothes you own or are considering.

May not fit: For items that are meant to be worn as a fixed set, say wear them together.

Choosing a set of clothes to wear together.

Tone and use: Everyday conversational phrasal expression. Explain that you are deciding what clothes to wear.

May not fit: If the decision is about one item rather than a complete look, say choosing a shirt or jacket.

From the top of someone’s head down to their feet; often describing a complete look.

Tone and use: Common fixed phrase; can be literal or emphasize that something covers the whole body. Describe a full outfit or a complete appearance.

May not fit: For only one part of an outfit, name that part rather than implying the whole look.

One item positioned directly above another, often in a stack.

Tone and use: Neutral spatial phrase. Describe objects arranged in a vertical pile.

May not fit: If the items are beside one another, use next to each other.

Directly below or covered by the item being discussed.

Tone and use: Neutral everyday location phrase. Explain where another layer or object is in relation to something above it.

May not fit: Use under it for a shorter, more conversational alternative when the meaning is clear.

Learn and use a wider range of words.

Tone and use: Neutral educational phrase. Discuss learning more precise words for a topic or activity.

May not fit: If you mean practice speaking rather than learning new words, say build your speaking skills.

Reduce the number of options by applying filters or more specific criteria.

Tone and use: Neutral service and technology language. Describe making a search more focused to find a suitable result.

May not fit: If you are beginning with very few options, say broaden your search instead.

Costs an amount that you can reasonably afford.

Tone and use: Common practical phrase for shopping and planning. Compare a product, service, or plan with the money available.

May not fit: If the cost is uncertain, ask how much it costs before deciding whether it fits your budget.

Try something, often without being certain whether you will like or succeed at it.

Tone and use: Friendly and encouraging. Suggest trying an activity, service, or approach.

May not fit: For a serious or high-risk decision, use a more specific verb such as test or evaluate.

Visit or look at a website to learn more.

Tone and use: Casual call to action, often used in advertising. Suggest that someone visit a site for details or information.

May not fit: If the information is essential, give it directly instead of making the listener search for it.

Help something or someone stay comfortably warm; nice adds a friendly, informal emphasis.

Tone and use: Warm, conversational wording. Describe clothing or another layer that keeps a person warm.

May not fit: In a technical description, state the insulation or temperature rating instead.

Close a zipper by moving its slider upward or along the track.

Tone and use: Everyday informal instruction. Tell someone to close a jacket, bag, or other item with a zipper.

May not fit: Use unzip it when you mean to open it.

Help my body stay warm or prevent me from feeling cold.

Tone and use: Neutral and very common. Explain the purpose of a coat, sweater, or blanket.

May not fit: If the item is stylish but not insulating, do not imply that it will protect you from cold weather.

End at a point just higher than the knee; reach describes where the garment comes down to.

Tone and use: Useful descriptive phrase for clothing length. Explain the length of shorts, skirts, or a dress.

May not fit: For an exact measurement or dress code, specify the length more precisely.

Not tight around the hip and upper leg; through identifies the areas where the fit is loose.

Tone and use: Practical clothing-fit language. Describe how pants or jeans fit in particular areas.

May not fit: If the garment is loose everywhere, say loose-fitting instead.

Become wider toward the bottom or end.

Tone and use: Neutral clothing and shape description. Describe jeans, sleeves, or a skirt that gradually widens.

May not fit: For a straight shape, say fall straight or stay narrow.

Exercise while wearing the clothes being discussed; them refers to the item just mentioned.

Tone and use: Conversational and context-dependent. Say that clothing is suitable for exercise.

May not fit: If the clothes are not designed for exercise, say wear them casually or around the house.

Shoes that cover the toes rather than leaving them exposed.

Tone and use: Common descriptive term; closed-toe is also used. Describe footwear for work, weather, or an activity that requires covered toes.

May not fit: Use open-toed when the toes are exposed.

Shoes that leave some or all of the toes exposed.

Tone and use: Common clothing and shopping description. Describe sandals or other shoes with exposed toes.

May not fit: If the shoes cover the toes, call them closed-toe or close-toed.

Events with a more dressed-up or ceremonial dress expectation.

Tone and use: Neutral and useful when comparing clothing choices. Talk about weddings, formal dinners, ceremonies, or similar events.

May not fit: Check the invitation or dress code because expectations vary by event.

Use something exclusively indoors at home.

Tone and use: Neutral practical description. Explain that an item is intended for indoor use only.

May not fit: If it is also suitable for hotels or other indoor places, say mainly wear it at home.

Move without being restricted or held in place.

Tone and use: Neutral descriptive phrase. Describe comfortable movement, including how footwear or clothing feels.

May not fit: For a specific direction, say move around the room or walk freely.

To go well with the clothes you are wearing and make the overall look more coordinated.

Tone and use: Slightly polished fashion language. Explain how accessories or colors work with a complete look.

May not fit: Use match your outfit if the items are very similar; complement can mean they work well together without being identical.

Make your appearance seem more polished, stylish, or special.

Tone and use: Current fashion and marketing language; a little more polished than dress up. Talk about an accessory or clothing choice that adds refinement.

May not fit: In plain everyday conversation, make your outfit look nicer may sound more natural.

Help you stay comfortably warm; nice adds a friendly, informal emphasis.

Tone and use: Warm, conversational wording. Describe a robe or other layer that keeps someone warm.

May not fit: In a product specification, give a precise material or temperature rating instead.