When I ask my students to describe getting ready in the morning, they reach for basic verbs like “wear” and “put” — which is fine, but it misses the richness of real English. Native speakers say “throw on a pair of jeans”, “slip into heels”, “wrap up in a warm coat”, not “put on clothing”. The verb + particle combinations are how real people talk about clothes. For more, see our English job interview tips. For more, see our business meeting vocabulary.
Below, I’ve gathered 21 of the most useful phrasal verbs for talking about clothing, from trying on outfits to doing up zippers to throwing away worn-out shoes. Each entry shows whether the verb is separable (you can split it with the object) or not, plus three or more real examples so you can see them in action. You’ll learn the patterns native speakers actually use.
Key Takeaways
- Separability matters: “Try on shoes” and “try shoes on” both work; “do up your coat” and “do your coat up” both work. Most clothing verbs are separable.
- Three core actions: Putting ON (dressing), Taking OFF (undressing), and Changing INTO (switching outfits) form the backbone of clothing phrasal verbs.
- Alterations verbs: “Take in”, “let out”, “turn up” — these are how you talk about fitting clothes to your body, not buying new ones.
- Casual vs. formal register: “Throw on a shirt” is casual; “don formal attire” is written English. Know the audience.
- Common trap: “Dress up” (wear fancy clothes) vs. “dress down” (wear casual clothes) — opposite meanings, similar form.
Dressing and Undressing Verbs
Put On
Separable. Dress yourself or someone else with an item or items of clothing.
Example 1: Put on my hat before we go outside — it’s cold.
Example 2: She put on her winter coat and scarf before heading to the park.
Example 3: The children put on their school uniforms quickly so they wouldn’t be late.
Take Off
Separable. Remove a piece of clothing.
Example 1: Charlie was taking off his shirt when the phone rang.
Example 2: Take off your shoes before entering the house.
Example 3: She took off her glasses and rubbed her tired eyes.
Slip On
Separable. Put on an item of clothing easily and quickly, usually without fastening.
Example 1: She slipped on her flip-flops before heading to the beach.
Example 2: I slipped on a sweater when the air conditioning made the office cold.
Example 3: He slipped on his jacket and rushed out the door.
Throw On
Separable. Put on an item of clothing quickly and without much attention to appearance.
Example 1: I threw on a pair of jeans and a T-shirt when I was running late.
Example 2: She threw on a dress she found on the floor and headed out.
Example 3: He threw on his old sweatshirt to do yard work.
Wrap Up
Separable. Put on warm clothing to protect yourself from cold.
Example 1: She was wrapped up in a thick winter coat and two scarves.
Example 2: Wrap up warm before you go skiing — it’s freezing at the top of the mountain.
Example 3: The children were wrapped up in layers of clothing for their winter field trip.
Get Dressed
Non-separable. Put on clothes in preparation for going out or starting the day.
Example 1: I need to get dressed before I can leave for work.
Example 2: The children got dressed in their costumes for the school play.
Get Undressed
Non-separable. Remove clothes, usually in preparation for going to bed.
Example 1: My younger sister takes forever to get undressed at bedtime.
Example 2: After the workout, we got undressed in the locker room and showered.
Fastening and Fastener Verbs
Do Up
Separable. Fasten buttons, zippers, or buckles on clothing.
Example 1: Do up your coat or you’ll get cold walking home.
Example 2: She did up the buttons on her blouse.
Example 3: He did up his tie before the job interview.
Zip Up
Separable. Fasten something using a zip, or to become fastened using a zip.
Example 1: The dress zipped up at the front with an elegant metal zip.
Example 2: Zip up your jacket before you go outside.
Example 3: She zipped up her boots and was ready for winter.
Button Up
Separable. Fasten buttons on clothing.
Example 1: Button up your shirt — we’re going to a formal event.
Example 2: The toddler tried to button up his own coat but got the buttons in the wrong holes.
Example 3: She buttoned up her cardigan as she walked into the cold room.
Trying On and Fitting Verbs
Try On
Separable. Put on an item of clothing to see if it fits or looks good.
Example 1: She always tries on shoes before buying them.
Example 2: The bride tried on a dozen wedding dresses before finding the perfect one.
Example 3: Can I try on that jacket in the window?
Take In
Separable. Make a piece of clothing smaller or narrower to fit better.
Example 1: You’ve lost weight, and your dress doesn’t fit — I’ll have to take it in.
Example 2: The tailor took in the waist of my jeans by two inches.
Example 3: She took in her wedding dress after losing weight before the ceremony.
Let Out
Separable. Make a piece of clothing larger to fit better.
Example 1: If the dress is too tight, the tailor can let it out at the seams.
Example 2: He let out his trousers after gaining a little weight.
Example 3: The seamstress let out the waistband of my favorite pants.
Turn Up
Separable. Shorten trousers, a dress, or a skirt by folding up the hem.
Example 1: Mr. Smith’s jeans were too long, so he asked his wife to turn up the bottom.
Example 2: I turned up the sleeves of my oversized sweater to make it look more intentional.
Example 3: She turned up the hem of her new dress so it wouldn’t drag on the ground.
Changing and Styling Verbs
Change Into
Separable. Put on different clothes; switch from one outfit to another.
Example 1: I need to change into my work clothes before heading to the office.
Example 2: She changed into her pajamas as soon as she got home from work.
Example 3: The actor changed into his costume minutes before going on stage.
Dress Up
Separable. Put on formal or fancy clothes to look more elegant or impressive.
Example 1: He went to the party dressed up as a Chicago gangster.
Example 2: She dresses up in her best suit for important client meetings.
Example 3: The children dressed up in their parents’ old clothes for the school play.
Dress Down
Separable. Wear casual or informal clothes instead of formal ones.
Example 1: On Fridays, our office allows us to dress down in jeans and casual shirts.
Example 2: She dressed down for the weekend in comfortable sweats and a T-shirt.
Example 3: The CEO dressed down on the company picnic day to relax with staff.
Layer Up
Separable. Put on multiple layers of clothing for warmth.
Example 1: Layer up before you go hiking in the mountains — it gets cold at higher altitudes.
Example 2: Athletes layer up before cold-weather training sessions.
Storage and Care Verbs
Hang Up
Separable. Put clothes on a hook or hanger to keep them organized.
Example 1: Don’t leave your clothes on the floor — hang them up.
Example 2: She hung up her coat immediately after coming home.
Example 3: The children were taught to hang up their school uniforms immediately after changing.
Put Away
Separable. Put clothes back in the closet or dresser for storage.
Example 1: Teenagers never put away their clothes — they just leave them on the floor.
Example 2: She put away her summer dresses and brought out her winter coats.
Example 3: The children were told to put away their pajamas before breakfast.
Hang Out
Separable. Dry clothes outside after washing, usually on a clothesline.
Example 1: The weather was fine, so she hung out the washing.
Example 2: In summer, we hang out our laundry to dry in the sun.
Wear Out
Separable. Use clothing repeatedly until it’s no longer in good condition.
Example 1: I wore out my favorite boots — I need to buy a new pair soon.
Example 2: Children wear out their clothes quickly because they play so much.
Example 3: He wore out the elbows of his jacket from leaning on his desk.
Other Clothing Phrasal Verbs
Kick Off
Separable. Remove your shoes quickly, often in a casual or relieved manner.
Example 1: She kicked off her high heels as soon as she got home.
Example 2: He kicked off his boots and collapsed on the couch.
Go With
Non-separable. Match or suit another item of clothing.
Example 1: Those shoes go with your dress perfectly.
Example 2: The red tie goes with the blue suit.
Example 3: Does this bag go with my outfit?
Come Off
Non-separable. Become removed or detached from an item of clothing.
Example 1: He was running too fast and his shoes came off.
Example 2: A button came off her jacket when she caught it on the fence.
Common Mistakes and How to Fix Them
✗ Incorrect: I need to put off a warmer jacket.
✓ Correct: I need to put on a warmer jacket.
Why: “Put on” means to wear; “put off” means to delay. The preposition changes the entire meaning.
✗ Incorrect: I dressed down in my best suit for the dinner.
✓ Correct: I dressed up in my best suit for the dinner.
Why: “Dress down” means wear casual clothes; “dress up” means wear formal clothes. They’re opposites.
✗ Incorrect: She tried on the dress.
✓ Correct: She tried on the dress.
Why: For phrasal verbs with “try on”, you must include the particle. “Tried on” is the complete verb phrase.
Friend 1: I can’t decide what to wear to the wedding. I’m thinking of dressing up in my blue suit.
Friend 2: That’s a good idea. But make sure you try it on first — hasn’t the tailor taken in the waist?
Friend 1: Oh right, yes! She took it in two weeks ago. I should put it on and check the fit.
Friend 2: Good plan. And if it’s too cold at the venue, wrap up in a nice coat or shawl.
Friend 1: Great advice. Thanks for helping me figure this out!
Quick Quiz
- It’s cold outside — ________ a warm coat before you leave. (put on / take off)
- My pants are too long. Can you ________ the hem for me? (turn up / let out)
- I always ________ shoes before I buy them to make sure they fit. (try on / try)
- This red tie ________ my blue shirt perfectly. (goes with / comes with)
- After working in the garden all day, I had to ________ my favorite jeans — they were falling apart. (wear out / put away)
Answers: 1. put on · 2. turn up · 3. try on · 4. goes with · 5. wear out
Related Articles
- ↑ Master Pillar: English Grammar
- Travel Phrasal Verbs and Expressions in English
- ↑ Back to pillar: Complete Phrasal Verbs Guide
Frequently Asked Questions
What’s the difference between “put on” and “try on”?
“Put on” means to wear or dress yourself with something. “Try on” means to wear something temporarily to see if it fits or looks good before buying. “I put on my jacket” (wearing it to go outside). “I tried on five dresses before finding one I liked” (testing them in a store).
Can I use “dress up” and “dress down” interchangeably?
No, they mean opposite things. “Dress up” means wear formal or fancy clothes; “dress down” means wear casual clothes. For example, “We dress up for fancy restaurants” and “We dress down on Sundays at home”.
Is “wrap up” only for winter clothing?
Mostly, yes. It specifically means to put on warm clothing for protection against cold. You wouldn’t say “wrap up in summer clothes”. However, it can occasionally mean to cover yourself in any protective clothing depending on context.
Why do we say “take in” a dress but “let out” a dress? Why different verbs?
These verbs are opposites that reflect the physical action. “Take in” means to reduce the size by bringing the seams inward (literally “taking in” fabric). “Let out” means to increase the size by releasing the seams outward (literally “letting out” fabric). The verbs mirror what’s happening to the cloth.
If I accidentally wear a button off my shirt, do I say it “came off”?
Yes. “Come off” means a part of clothing becomes detached unintentionally. “A button came off my shirt” is the correct way to describe it. Note: you can’t usually use the alternative phrasing “the button came off of my shirt” — “off” is the particle here, not a separate preposition.
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