The Ultimate Guide to Clothes in Spanish: Shopping and Laundry
La ropa, or clothes in Spanish, are the everyday garments we wear. While some people make their own clothes, many prefer to purchase them.
If you ever find yourself on a shopping spree in a Spanish-speaking country, knowing what you want and being able to describe it accurately will save you time and money!
Read this blog post to equip yourself with the tools you need to talk about your clothes in Spanish—from buying them to doing the laundry. Let’s begin!
Clothes in Spanish: Part I—Shopping
Clothes are categorized in many ways. Check out the following list of types of clothes:
| Spanish | English |
| La ropa | Clothes |
| La ropa para mujeres | Women’s clothes |
| La ropa para hombres | Men’s clothes |
| La ropa unisex | Unisex clothes |
| La ropa para bebés | Baby clothes |
| La ropa para niños | Kids clothes |
| La ropa para gente joven | Teen clothes |
| La ropa de diseñador | Designer clothes |
| La moda rápida | Fast fashion |
| La moda lenta | Slow fashion |
La moda rápida es más barata pero causa mucho desperdicio.
Fast fashion is cheaper but it causes a lot of waste.
La ropa unisex la pueden usar hombres y mujeres.
Unisex clothes can be used by men and women.
¡Me gusta mucho la ropa de bebé porque tiene diseños muy divertidos!
I like baby clothes because they have really fun designs!
La ropa interior – Undergarments
These “intimate” clothes items are typically made with breathable and soft material.
| Spanish | English |
| La ropa interior | Undergarments |
| Los calcetines/ las calcetas | Socks (for men/ women) |
| Los calcetines altos | High socks/ Knee socks |
| Los calcetines cortos | Ankle socks |
| Las pantimedias | Pantyhose |
| Las medias | Stockings |
| El sostén/ El sujetador/ El brasier | Bra/ Brassiere |
| La camiseta | Undershirt |
| La camisola | Camisole |
| Los calzoncillos | Underpants/ Briefs |
| Los calzones/ Las bragas | Panties |
| Los boxer | Boxer shorts |
| Los calzoncillos largos | Long johns |
| El fustan/ Las enaguas | Half slip |
| El fondo | Full slip |
La ropa de dormir – Sleepwear
Sleepwear—la ropa de dormir—ensures that you can rest, relax, and sleep like a baby.
| Spanish | English |
| Ropa de dormir | Sleepwear |
| Las pijamas | Pijamas |
| El mono/ La pijama onesie | Onesie pajama |
| El camisón | Nightgown |
| La bata/ El albornoz | Bathrobe |
| Las pantuflas | Slippers |
| El gorro de dormir | Nightcap |
La ropa deportiva – Sportswear
Sportswear—la ropa deportiva—are the clothes you wear to be comfortable while practicing a sport or exercising.
| Spanish | English |
| La ropa deportiva | Sportswear |
| La sudadera/ El sudadero | Sweatshirt |
| El pants/ el chándal/ los pantalones deportivos | Sweatpants |
| El traje de baño/ La calzoneta/ El bañador | Swimsuit |
| El bañador de hombre/ La calzoneta de hombre | Swim trunks |
| El calzoncillo de natación | Swim briefs/ Speedo |
| La calzoneta de una pieza | One-piece swimsuit |
| La calzoneta de dos piezas | Two-piece swimsuit |
| El bikini | Bikini |
| El pareo | Sarong |
| Los leggins/ La licra | Leggings |
| Los pantalones de yoga | Yoga pants |
| La camisola | Sports shirt |
| La banda para el sudor | Sweatband |
| Las muñequeras | Wristbands |
La ropa informal – Casual Clothes
Casual or informal clothes—la ropa informal—are for everyday use around the house.
| Spanish | English |
| La ropa informal | Casual clothes |
| El pantalón | Pants/ Slacks |
| Los pantalones de algodón | Cotton pants |
| Los pantalones de lino | Linen pants |
| Los pantalones cargo | Cargo pants |
| Los jeans/ Los pantalones de mezclilla | Jeans |
| La falda | Skirt |
| El vestido | Dress |
| La camisa | Shirt |
| La camisa polo | Polo shirt |
| La camiseta/ La remera/ La playera | T-shirt |
| La camiseta gráfica/estampada | Graphic shirt |
| El suéter | Sweater |
| El suéter con capucha | Hoodie |
| La chamarra/ La chaqueta | Jacket |
| El abrigo | Coat |
La ropa formal – Formal Wear
La ropa formal—formal wear—is for professional or fancy environments. Formal clothes like dresses and suites are typically seen at important events such as weddings, graduations, and other celebrations!
| Spanish | English |
| La ropa formal | Formal clothes |
| El traje | Suit |
| El uniforme | Uniform |
| La blusa formal | Blouse |
| La camisa formal | Formal shirt |
| El esmoquin | Smoking jacket |
| El saco | Jacket |
| El traje de tres piezas | Three-piece suit |
| El chaleco formal | Vest |
| El frac | White tie |
| Pantalones formales | Trousers |
| El traje de pantalón | Pantsuit |
| Las medias de seda | Silk stockings |
| El pantalón de seda | Silk pants |
| El vestido de gala | Ball gown |
| El vestido de cocktail | Cocktail dress |
| El vestido de tarde | Evening gown |
| La falda formal | Formal skirt |
| La falda larga | Long skirt |
| La falda a altura de tres cuartos | Pencil skirt/ A-line skirt |
La ropa según las estaciones – Seasonal Clothing
Clothes are made of different materials to serve a purpose depending on the weather and season. In summer, you wear clothes that are breathable and light to prevent overheating. On the other hand, in winter you wear clothes in layers to keep warm.
| Spanish | English |
| La ropa para clima cálido | Warm weather clothes |
| La camiseta/ blusa de tirantes | Strappy blouse/ Tank top |
| La camiseta/ blusa sin mangas | Tank top |
| La camiseta/ blusa apretada | Tight top |
| La camiseta/ blusa floja | Loose top |
| Los pantalones cortos/ Los shorts/ Las pantalonetas | Shorts |
| Los pantalones cortos a la rodilla/ las bermudas | Long shorts |
| Los pantalones muy cortos | Short shorts |
| El sueter ligero | Cardigan |
| El chal | Shawl |
| La camisa de cuello de tortuga | Turtleneck |
| La ropa para clima frío | Cold weather clothes |
| La chaqueta de piel | Leather jacket |
| La chaqueta gruesa | Thick jacket |
| El abrigo de piel | Fur coat |
| El gorro | Beanie |
| La boina | Beret |
| El sombrero | Hat |
| Las orejeras | Earmuffs |
| La bufanda | Scarf |
| Los guantes | Gloves |
| Los mitones | Mittens |
| Las medias de invierno | Tights |
| Los pantalones térmicos | Thermal pants |
| La camiseta térmica | Thermal undershirt |
| Los calcetines de invierno | Winter socks |
| La capa para la lluvia/ El impermeable | Raincoat |
Los zapatos – Shoes
You can’t talk about clothes without talking about shoes!
There are several kinds of shoes, and your perfect pair of shoes depends on what you are going to use them for. While shoes have a practical use, a lot of people like to use them as accessories too!
| Spanish | English |
| Los zapatos | Shoes |
| Las chanclas | Flip-flops |
| Las sandalias | Sandals |
| Los zapatos para el agua | Water shoes |
| Los zapatos deportivos/ Los tenis/ Las zapatillas | Sneakers |
| Las alpargatas/ Los zapatos de tela | Espadrilles |
| Las botas | Boots |
| Las botas para nieve | Winter boots |
| Las botas de lluvia | Rain boots |
| Las botas al tobillo | Booties |
| Los zapatos de tacón/ Los tacones | High heels |
| Los zapatos de tacón de aguja | Stilettos |
| Los zapatos de plataforma | Platform shoes |
| Los zapatos de tacón cuadrado | Block heels |
| Los zapatos de trabita | Mary Jane shoes |
| Los zapatos de vestir | Formal shoes |
| Los mocasines | Loafers |
| Los zapatos bajos/planos | Flats |
| Los zuecos | Clogs |
Los accesorios – Accessories
Accessorizing is a great way to give personality to your outfit. While some accessories give your outfit flair, others have practical uses, like bags and wallets.
| Spanish | English |
| Los accesorios | Accessories |
| La gorra/ La cachucha | Cap |
| El bolso | Handbag / purse |
| El monedero | Coin purse |
| La billetera | Wallet |
| El pañuelo | Handkerchief |
| El cincho/ El cinturón | Belt |
| Las joyas | Jewels |
| La pulsera | Bracelet |
| El anillo | Ring |
| El reloj de muñeca | Wrist clock |
| El collar | Necklace |
| Los aretes | Earrings |
| La corbata | Tie |
| El corbatín | Bow tie |
| Los gemelos | Cufflinks |
| El prendedor | Pin |
| La sombrilla/ El paraguas | Umbrella |
Verbs Related to Clothes in Spanish
Clothes are part of our everyday life. To discuss clothes, you need to know the following verbs.
- Cambiar la ropa – to change clothes
- Lavar la ropa – to wash clothes.
- Probar la ropa – to try on clothes
- Ponerse la ropa, Vestirse – to put on clothes
- Desvestirse – to take off clothes
- Usar la ropa – to wear clothes
You can also describe your clothes using adjectives. Here are some examples:
Mi ropa de invierno es muy caliente y bonita.
My winter clothes are warm and cute.
La ropa de verano debe ser fresca.
Summer clothes should be cool.
Mi ropa es original.
My clothing is original
La ropa de mi hermano es de marca y por eso es muy cara.
My brother’s clothes are branded and because of that they are really expensive.
Me gusta que mi ropa sea durable.
I like my clothes to be durable.
Clothes in Spanish: Part II—Laundry
La lavandería (laundry) is the physical space where you wash and dry your clothes. Some people lava a mano (wash by hand), while others have a lavadora (washing machine).
In Latin America, many people dry their clothes on clotheslines. In Spanish, these systems are called tendederos. They use the sun and wind to dry the clothes. This way is cheaper than with a secadora (clothes dryer), but it’s also slower.
The next step after washing and drying is planchar (to iron). Las planchas (irons) work best with un planchador (an ironing board).
The final step after doing the laundry is putting your clothes away. Spanish has several words to describe the places where you store your clothes.
| Spanish | English |
| El gavetero | Drawer |
| El closet/ El ropero | Closet |
| El armario | Wardrobe |
Clothes in Spanish: Time to Practice!
Practice makes perfect, so it’s the best way to solidify your newly acquired knowledge! Here’s a pop quiz for you.
1. These clothes are used to for sports or exercise:
2. These are used to protect our feet:
3. This is used to dry clothes in the sun:
4. These clothes can be used everyday.
5. This is part of the laundry process.
6. This word means “to wash clothes.”
7. This word means “to purchase.”
8. These clothes are worn under our other clothes:
9. You use these clothes for important occasions:
10. You store your clothes here
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