The different words for clothes


There are several different words for “clothing” in the dictionary. Kimono is
a type of traditional Japanese clothing, while fuku refers to Western clothes.
Hifuku is more general and covers all clothing. Koromo is a less commonly used
word than the others.

At least I think this is right based on what I read in the dictionary. Are
these definitions right, and are there other words that also mean “clothes”?




  * **服** : The most neutral, generic, daily word for clothes.
  * **衣服** : Formal version of 服. 「衣服のお手入れ」「世界の衣服の歴史」
  * **洋服** : (Western) clothes we normally wear. It's almost synonymous to 服 in ordinary people's daily life. 「洋服売り場」
  * **和服** : Japanese clothes (including _kimono_ , _hakama_ , _samue_ , ...)
  * **衣装** : Costume (for stage performances, role playing, etc), dress (the kind of outfits that celebrities wear in public) 「ステージ衣装」「コスプレ用の衣装」
  * **着物** : Originally referred to clothes in general, but this usually refers to that Japanese formal _kimono_ today.
  * **お召し物** : Honorific word for 服.
  * **被服** : Basically an even more formal or academic version of 衣服, but strictly speaking 被服 also includes shoes, hats, gloves and such.
  * **衣** : Archaic word for 服 (especially simple ones) or coats. Used mainly in samurai films or hardcore fantasy.
  * ( **ドレス** : Almost exclusively refers to formal party dress for ladies.)

Note that 被服 and 衣 are definitely not words you would use in everyday life.

The above words are "wearable" (i.e., you can say ～を着る).

  * **衣料品** / **衣類** : Daily clothing/underwear as merchandise or physical objects. 「スーパーの衣料品売り場」「衣類部門の売り上げ」
  * **服装** : Overall outfit one is wearing. 「派手な服装をしている」「服装が乱れている」「事件当時の彼の服装」
  * **服飾** : Fashion/dressmaking as a field of business/expertise 「服飾専門学校」「服飾店」
  * **アパレル** : Loanword version of 服飾. 「アパレルショップ」「アパレル関係の店で働く」

