Clothes in German: A complete wardrobe of 160+ terms, idioms & cultural tips

December 10, 2022

Author

Marie Schmoll

The fashion industry wouldn’t be the same without Haute Couture Designer Karl Lagerfeld and German top models like Claudia Schiffer and Heidi Klum. So if you happen to be in the fashion industry, you might have already come across some terms for clothes in German.

Even if you’re not that into fashion though, sooner or later you’ll run into clothes-related vocab when you’re learning German. After all, you and the people around you are probably wearing clothes most days of the week - and at some point you might want to talk about them!

Clothes in German

The proper way to say clothes in German is “Kleidung”. While the English word “clothes” has no singular, the German one has no plural. Some German slang terms for clothes are “Klamotten” or “Anziehsachen” (literally: to-dress-things).

There are a number of situations, in which it’s helpful to know the basic clothing terms from “hat” to “boots” in German:

You might visit a German-speaking country and do some clothes shopping. Frankfurt, Vienna and Lausanne are great shopping destinations in Germany, Austria and Switzerland!
If you don’t know a person’s name, you can make it clear who you’re talking about by referring to their clothes. So it’s good to know how to say “The lady in the brown coat” or “the guy in the yellow shirt” in German. It saves you from impolitely pointing fingers.
Complimenting someone’s clothes is a safe and easy way to compliment a stranger, colleague or friend in German. Tell them they’re wearing a nice dress or you love their shoes. It will make their day!

Some helpful phrases you might want to remember include these important wardrobe-related questions and suggestions:

Was soll ich anziehen?
(What should I wear?)
Wie ist der Dresscode?
(What’s the dress code?)
Wie seh ich aus?
(How do I look?)
Zieh einfach etwas Bequemes an.
(Just wear something comfortable.)
Ich würde an deiner Stelle lieber etwas Schickes anziehen
(I’d rather wear something fancy if I were you.)
Du siehst toll aus!
(You look great!)

Dress codes in German

Usually German dress code is pretty casual. The most common styles are comfortable and casual or business casual in official settings. If you’re not going to the “Wiener Opernball” (the Vienna Opera Ball), the “Berlinale” (Germany’s biggest film gala) or similarly fancy events, it’s rather rare to see people dressed up in ball gowns and suits.

Beautiful wedding gowns for a formal wedding in German.

English	German	IPA
Casual	Leger; Lässig	[leˈʒɛːɐ̯; ˈlɛsɪç]
Smart casual	Lässig-elegant	[ˈlɛsɪç-eleˈɡant]
Semi-Formal	Semi-Formell	[ˈzemi-fɔʁˈmɛl]
Formal	Formell	[fɔʁˈmɛl]
Office attire	Bürokleidung	[byˈʁoːˈklaɪ̯dʊŋ]
Suit	Anzug	[ˈanˌtsuk]
Evening wear	Abendgarderobe	[ˈaːbntaʁdəobə]
Black tie	Schwarze Krawatte	[ˈʃvaʁt͡sə kʁaˈvatə]
White tie	Weiße Krawatte	[ˈvaɪ̯sə kʁaˈvatə]
Evening gown	Abendkleid	[ˈa:bəntklaɪ̯t]
Ball gown	Ballkleid	[ˈbalˌklaɪ̯t]

Underwear in German

Let’s hope you never encounter any underwear-related emergencies on vacation in Germany, but just in case, here is a list of underwear terms in German that will help you out.

English	German	IPA
Undershirt	Unterhemd	[ˈʊntɐˌhɛmt]
Underpants	Unterhose	[ˈʊntɐˌhoːzə]
Chemise	Unterkleid	[ˈʊntɐklaɪ̯t]
Briefs	Kurze Unterhosen	[ˈkʊʁt͡sə ˈʊntɐˌhoːzən]
Bra	BH (short for “Büstenhalter”)	[beːˈhaː]
Camisole	Mieder	[ˈmiːdɐ]
Corset	Korsett	[kɔʁˈzɛt]
Boxers	Boxershorts	[ˈbɔksɐˌʃɔʁt͡s]
Socks	Socken	[ˈzɔkn̩]
Knee-length sock	Kniestrümpfe	[ˈkniːˌʃtʁʏmp͡fə]
Panties	Schlübbis (colloquial)	[ʃlʏpbɪs]
Thong	Tanga	[ˈtaŋɡa]
Stockings	Strümpfe	[ˈʃtʁʏmp͡fə]
Pantyhose	Strumpfhose	[ˈʃtʁʊmp͡fˌhoːzə]

Outerwear in German

From windy Hamburg to snowy Munich, Germany isn’t exactly known for its great weather. So you better know what to wear for an outdoor activity. It always helps to ask a local what they suggest. All these outerwear words in German will come in handy for clarification.

Outerwear such as dresses, jackets, pants and shirts in German.

Dress in German

There’s the perfect dress for almost every event - from comfy shirt dresses to the classic black dress for any nighttime event.

English	German	IPA
Dress	Kleid	[klaɪ̯t]
Long dress	Langes Kleid	[ˈlaŋəs klaɪ̯t]
Short dress	Kurzes Kleid	[ˈkʊʁt͡səs klaɪ̯t]
Maxi dress	Maxikleid	[maksi:klaɪ̯t]
Formal dress	Gesellschaftskleid	[ɡəˈzɛlʃaftsklaɪ̯t]
Semi-formal dress	Halb-formelles Kleid	[halp-fɔʁˈmɛləs klaɪ̯t]
Cocktail dress	Cocktailkleid	[ˈkɔktɛɪ̯lˌklaɪ̯t]
Tube dress	Schlauchkleid	[ʃlaʊ̯xklaɪ̯t]
Sheath dress	Etuikleid	[ɛtˈviːˌklaɪ̯t]
Wedding dress	Hochzeitskleid	[ˈhɔxt͡saɪ̯t͡sˌklaɪ̯t]
Dress with a train	Schleppenkleid	[ˈʃlɛpn̩klaɪ̯t]
Sundress	Strandkleid	[ˈʃtʁantˌklaɪ̯t]
Babydoll dress	Babydollkleid	[ˈbeːbiˌdɔlklaɪ̯t]
Shirt dress	Shirtkleid	[ʃøːɐ̯tklaɪ̯t]
Romper	Romper, Spielanzug	[ʁo:mpɐ]
Little black dress	Das kleine Schwarze	[das ˈklaɪ̯nə ˈʃvaʁt͡sə]

Pants in German

“Pants” in German are “Hosen”. The most famous type of pants are the traditional “Lederhosen” but in everyday life, the most popular ones are probably shorts.

English	German	IPA
Pants, Trousers	Hosen	[ˈhoːzən]
Sweatpants	Jogginghosen	[jɔgi:ŋsho:zən]
Tracksuit pants	Trainingshosen	[ˈtʁɛːnɪŋsˌhoːzən]
Suit pants	Hosenanzug	[ho:zənantsu:k]
Shorts	Shorts	[ʃoːɐ̯t͡s]
Bermuda shorts	Bermudashorts	[bɛʁˈmuːdaʃoːɐ̯t͡s]
Baggy Pants	Baggypants	[ˈbɛɡiˌpɛnt͡s]
Harem pants	Haremshosen	[ˈhaːʁɛmsˌhoːzn̩]
Denims	Jeans	[dʒiːns]
Chinos	Chinohose	[ˈtʃiːno]
Pajama bottoms	Schlafanzughose	[ˈʃlaːfʔant͡suːkˌhoːzə]

Shirts and tops in German

The German word for “top” is “Oberteil”. Typically German, it’s very logical: The literal translation would be “upper thing”!

English	German	IPA
Top	Oberteil	[ˈoːbɐˌtaɪ̯l]
Shirt	Shirt	[ʃɜːt]
T-shirt	T-shirt	[ˈtiːˌʃøːɐ̯t]
Blouse	Bluse	[ˈbluːzə]
Button up shirt	Hemd	[hɛmt]
Polo shirt	Polohemd	[ˈpoːloˌhɛmt]
Singlet	Trikothemd	[tʁiˈkoːhɛmt]
Tunic	Tunika	[ˈtuːnika]
Sweater	Pullover; Pulli	[pʊˈloːvɐ; ˈpʊliː]
Hoodie	Kapuzenpullover	[kaˈpuːtsnplovɐ]
Turtle neck	Rollkragenpullover	[ˈʁɔlkʁaːɡn̩pʊˌloːvɐ]
Sweater vest	Pullunder	[pʊˈlʊndɐ]

Jacket or coat in German

These are especially important in the cold weather. Never, never forget your jacket in Germany! Even in the warmer months, it can get chilly here.

English	German	IPA
Jacket	Jacke	[ˈjakə]
Coat	Mantel	[ˈmantl]
Vest	Weste	[ˈvɛstə]
Cardigan	Strickjacke	[ˈʃtʁɪkˌjakə]
Blazer	Blazer	[ˈbleːzɐ]
Windbreaker	Anorak	[ˈanoʁak]

Skirt in German

“Skirt” in German is “Rock”. Easy to remember since skirts do kinda rock, right? Whatever your style is - mini denims or airy ruffled skirts - skirts are just easy and cool.

English	German	IPA
Skirt	Rock	[ʁɔk]
Long skirt	Langer Rock	[ˈlaŋɐ ʁɔk]
Short skirt	Kurzer Rock	[ˈkʊʁt͡sɐ ʁɔk]
Mini skirt	Minirock	[ˈmɪniˌʁɔk]
Ruffled skirt	Rüschenrock	[ˈʁyːʃn̩ʁɔk]
Pencil skirt	Bleistiftrock	[ˈblaɪ̯ʃtɪftˌʁɔk]
Pleated skirt	Faltenrock	[ˈfaltnʁɔk]
Kilt	Schottenrock	[ˈʃɔtn̩ʁɔk]
A-line skirt	Glockenrock	[ˈɡlɔkənʁɔk]
High-waisted skirt	Hochtaillierter Rock	[hoːxtaˈjiːɐ̯tɐ ʁɔk]

Shoes and boots in German

In German there are almost as many words for slippers as for all other kinds of shoes combined: Germans say “Pantoffeln”, “Puschen”, and “Latschen”, while the Swiss say “Finken” and the Austrians say “Schlapfen”, “Schluffen”, and “Patschen”. That almost sounds like someone is just making up German-sounding words, but they’re all real!

Shoes in German.

English	German	IPA
Shoes	Schuhe	[ˈʃuːə]
Boots	Stiefel	[ˈʃtiːfl̩]
Ankle boots	Stiefeletten	[ʃtiːfəˈlɛtn̩]
Stiletto	Stilettos	[ʃtiˈlɛtos]
Gumboot	Gummistiefel	[ˈɡʊmiˌʃtiːfl̩]
High heels	Hackenschuhe	[ˈhaknˈʃuːə]
Pumps	Pumps	[pœmps]
Sandals	Sandalen	[zanˈdaːlən]
Flip flops	Flip Flops	[ˈflɪpflɔps]
Formal shoes	Formelle Schuhe	[fɔʁˈmɛlə ˈʃuːə]
Flat shoes	Flache Schuhe	[ˈflaxə ˈʃuːə]
Sneakers	Turnschuhe	[ˈtʊʁnˌʃuːə]
Hiking shoes	Wanderschuhe	[ˈvandɐˌʃuːə]
Ballerinas	Ballerinas	[baləˈʁiːnas]
Clogs	Holzschuhe	[ˈhɔlt͡sˌʃuːə]
House shoes	Hausschuhe	[ˈhaʊ̯sˌʃuːə]
Slippers	Pantoffeln; Latschen; Puschen	[panˈtɔfl̩n; la:tʃən; ˈpʊʃn̩]
Slippers (Swiss)	Finken	[ˈfɪŋkŋ̍]
Slippers (Austrian)	Schlapfen; Schluffen; Patschen	[ˈʃlap͡fn̩; ˈʃlʊfn̩; patʃən]

Hats in German

If you’re up for a big fashion statement, choose a hat! They’re one of the most versatile pieces of clothing and probably the boldest one.

Women trying on hats in German.

English	German	IPA
Hat	Hut	[huːt]
Summer hat	Sommerhut	[ˈzɔmɐˌhuːt]
Cap	Cap; Cappie	[kɛp; kɛpi:]
Beret	Baskenmütze	[ba:skənmʏt͡sə]
Fedora	Filzhut	[ˈfɪlt͡sˌhuːt]
Beanie	Mütze	[ˈmʏt͡sə]
Straw hat	Strohhut	[ˈʃtʁoːˌhuːt]
Cowboy hat	Cowboyhut	[ˈkaʊ̯bɔɪ̯ˌhuːt]
Pointed hat	Spitzhut	[ʃpɪt͡shuːt]
Boonie hat	Safarihut	[zaˈfaːʁihuːt]
Top hat	Zylinder	[tsy:li:nde:]
Chef’s hat	Kochmütze	[ˈkɔxˌmʏt͡sə]
Turban	Turban	[ˈtʊʁbaːn]
Hood	Kapuze	[kaˈpuːtsə]
Bonnet	Haube	[ˈhaʊ̯bə]
Helmet	Helm	[hɛlm]

Other important clothing-related terms

Accessories can make or break an outfit. Most of them are somewhat seasonal, like scarves and gloves or sunglasses and summer hats. These are a number of accessories and other clothes-related terms we wouldn’t wanna miss including our personal favorites: pajamas!

Scarf, beanie and mittens in German.

English	German	IPA
Scarf	Schal	[ʃaːl]
Shawl	Tuch	[tuːx]
Headscarf	Kopftuch	[ˈkɔp͡fˌtuːx]
Gloves	Handschuhe	[ˈhantˌʃuːə]
Mittens	Fäustlinge	[ˈfɔɪ̯stlɪŋə]
Earmuffs	Ohrenschützer	[ˈoːʁənˌʃʏt͡sɐ]
Legwarmers	Stulpen	[ˈʃtʊlpn̩]
Watch	Uhr	[uːɐ̯]
Belt	Gürtel	[ˈɡʏʁtl̩]
Collar	Kragen	[ˈkʁaːɡn̩]
Necklace	Halskette	[ˈhalsˌkɛtə]
Ring	Ring	[ʁɪŋ]
Earring	Ohrring	[ˈoːɐ̯ˌʁɪŋ]
Toe ring	Zehenring	[ˈtseənŋ]
Bracelet	Armband	[ˈaʁmˌbant]
Piercing	Piercing	[ˈpiːɐ̯sɪŋ]
Umbrella	Regenschirm	[ˈʁeːɡn̩ˌʃɪʁm]
Sunglasses	Sonnenbrille	[ˈzɔnənˌbʁɪlə]
Bathing suit	Badeanzug	[ˈbaːdəˌʔant͡suːk]
Bikini	Bikini	[biˈkiːni]
Swim trunks	Badehosen	[ˈbaːdəˌhoːzn]
Uniform	Uniform	[ˈʊniˌfɔʁm]
School uniform	Schuluniform	[ˈʃuːlʔʊniˌfɔʁm]
Pajamas	Schlafanzug	[ˈʃlaːfʔanˌt͡suːk]

Clothing-related German idioms

Here are eight fun clothing-related German idioms that we found for you. We have shaken them out of our sleeves, you might say.

German	Literal translation	Meaning
Aus dem Ärmel schütteln	To shake something out of your sleeve	To come up with something just like that
Kleider machen Leute	Clothes make people	Clothes are status symbols
Das ist Jacke wie Hose	That’s jacket like pants	It makes no difference
Eine weiße Weste haben	To have a white west	To be innocent
Mir platzt der Kragen	My collar is bursting	I’m bursting with anger
Jemanden mit Samthandschuhen anfassen	To touch someone with silk gloves	To handle somebody with kid gloves
Zusammen unter einem Hut stecken	To stick under the same hat together	To be in the cahoots together
Wo drückt der Schuh?	Where does the shoe pinch?	What’s wrong?

Clothes related verbs in German

We do so many things with our clothes: put them on, take them off, wash them, dry them, fold them. Laundry is a never-ending circle and this is how you describe that circle in German with a number of clothes-related verbs.

English	German	IPA
To get dressed	Sich anziehen	[zɪç antsi:ən]
To get undressed	Sich ausziehen	[zɪç: ˈaʊ̯sˌt͡siːən]
To try on	Anprobieren	[ˈanpʁoˌbiːʁən]
To wear	Tragen	[ˈtʁaːɡn̩]
To suit	Stehen	[ˈʃteːən]
To tailor	Maßschneidern	[ˈmaːsˌʃnaɪ̯dɐn]
To button up	Zuknöpfen	[ˈtsuknœpfn]
To zip up	Den Reißverschluss zumachen	[de:n ˈʁaɪ̯sfɛɐ̯ˌʃlʊs tsu:maxən]
To sew	Nähen	[ˈnɛːən]
To knit	Stricken	[ˈʃtʁɪkn̩]
To crochet	Häkeln	[ˈhɛːkl̩n]
To patch	Flicken	[ˈflɪkn̩]
To wash	Waschen	[ˈvaʃn̩]
To dry	Trocknen	[ˈtʁɔknən]
To iron	Bügeln	[ˈbyːɡl̩n]
To fold	Falten	[ˈfaltən]

Cultural considerations when it comes to clothing in German

When you travel to Germany, you’re in for a few clothes and laundry-related surprises. Don’t expect a dryer in every household and definitely don’t expect all Germans to actually wear Lederhosen or Dirndl!

While you might picture Germans wearing “Trachtenkleidung”, the famous clothing that consists of “Lederhosen” (Leather pants) and “Dirndl” (A traditional dress), you might be surprised that this is exclusively a Bavarian tradition. In all other parts of Germany, it’s rather unlikely you’ll see people wear anything like this!
Washing machines are significantly smaller. Most washing machines are only the size of what would be considered a half load in the US.
You probably won’t find any top-loaders either because European homes tend to be a lot smaller, too. In apartments, washers are often part of the kitchen and therefore designed in a way that leaves some counter space on top of them.
Only around 40% of German households have a dryer and even those who do use them a lot less frequently than Americans.
Dryer guilt is a thing in Germany! Even if dryers are used, they tend to run for a long time because they’re often set to a more eco-friendly setting. To be honest, dryers are kind of frowned upon by many people because of their environmental impact.

Fashion is fun but clothes are even more than that

Clothes are a huge part of our lives, bigger than some of us may realize. As Stanley Tucci rightfully points out in The Devil Wears Prada: “Halston, Lagerfeld, de la Renta - what they did, what they created was greater than art because you live your life in it.” - and he’s right. We do spend our lives in clothes.

So take the time to learn some of these clothes-related German terms and make your language learning journey that much more fashionable!

Want more free German language and culture tips? Check out the other great articles we’ve got for you on our language blog.