Clothes — Unit 3, Beginner English
Clothing vocabulary, describing what you wear, materials, and verbs — wear, put on, try on, and more.
Reading: Getting Dressed
It is Monday morning. Anna is getting ready for school. She usually wears casual clothes to school. She puts on her favourite blue jeans and a white T-shirt. She also puts on her black trainers. She likes trainers because they are comfortable.
But today is different. Today she has a job interview after school. She needs to look smart. She takes off her jeans and T-shirt. She tries on a black skirt and a white shirt. She looks in the mirror. She likes the outfit. She puts on a pair of black shoes. They are not trainers. They are smart shoes.
Her mother comes into the room. "You look very smart, Anna!" she says. "Good luck with your interview!" Anna smiles. She feels confident. She wears her smart clothes to school. After school, she goes to the interview. She feels happy with her clothes.
The interview was at five o'clock. Anna took a small bag with her. In the bag she had a scarf, because the weather was cold. She also wore a thin belt with her skirt. The belt was black and it went with her shoes.
At the office, a woman said, "Please come in." The man in the office wore a grey suit and a blue tie. He looked very smart. Anna felt happy, because her clothes were smart too.
After the interview, Anna walked home. It started to rain. She put on her coat and her scarf. Her feet were cold in her smart shoes. "Next time I will carry my trainers in my bag," she thought.
At home, she got undressed and put on comfortable clothes — an old jumper and a pair of warm socks. Two days later, the office called. Anna got the job!
Vocabulary from this unit
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| T-shirt | casual top |
| shirt | formal top with buttons |
| blouse | a woman's smart top |
| jumper / sweater | warm knitted top |
| jacket | short outer garment |
| coat | long outer garment |
| dress | one-piece garment |
| skirt | worn below the waist |
| suit | jacket + trousers/skirt |
| jeans | denim trousers |
| trousers | two legs, not denim |
| shorts | short trousers |
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| shoes | everyday footwear |
| trainers | sport/casual shoes |
| boots | cover the ankle |
| sandals | open summer shoes |
| heels | formal shoes with high heels |
| socks | worn inside shoes |
| tights | thin covering for legs |
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| hat | covers the head |
| cap | casual hat with a peak |
| scarf | worn around the neck |
| gloves | cover your hands |
| belt | holds trousers up |
| tie | formal, around the neck |
| glasses | help you see |
| sunglasses | protect from sun |
| bag / handbag | you carry things in it |
| ring | worn on a finger |
3 more vocabulary sections in the full unit.
This is the free sample from this unit. The full unit adds 1 more reading passage, comprehension questions with an answer key, the listening exercises, flashcards for the vocabulary above, and a speaking task — with your progress tracked so the next unit unlocks when you are ready for it.
Common questions
What level is this unit?
Beginner — roughly CEFR A0–A1. If you are not sure of your level, the course places you with a short diagnostic before you start rather than making you guess.
Do I need to pay to use this?
The reading passage and vocabulary on this page are free to read. The rest of the unit — the remaining passages, the exercises, the listening, the answer key and the progress tracking — is part of the paid General English course.
Is this British or American English?
British English spelling and vocabulary, which is what most learners in Azerbaijan are taught and what IELTS expects, though both are accepted in the exam.