Everyday situations
How to buy clothes in English
A2
Asking for a size, trying things on, asking for another colour, paying, returning: the phrases you need in a clothes shop.
Quick answer
Buying clothes in the UK or the US mixes three difficulties. First, the shop words (fitting room, tag, receipt). Second, sizes, which change between Europe, the UK and the US. Third, the way shop assistants talk to you: a How can I help you? needs an answer, so don't ignore it. The perfect reply is I'm just browsing, thanks: it tells the assistant you don't need help, without being rude. For women's sizes, remember this: a European 38 is usually a UK 10, and US sizes are 4 less than UK sizes (UK 10 = US 6). Charts change from brand to brand, so always check. Men's shirts are sold by collar size in inches (UK and US: 15 = 38 cm).
Step by step
Each step follows a typical conversation. Lines marked “or” are other possible answers, depending on the situation.
1. Walking into the shop
The shop assistant starts the conversation. Always answer, even with a few words.
- Other person
Hi, can I help you find anything?
- You
Yes, I'm looking for a jacket.
→ I'm looking for + item (not I'm looking at).orI'm just browsing, thanks.
Neutral→ The perfect phrase to say politely that you don't need help: the conversation stops here. - Other person
What kind of jacket are you after?
UK→ To be after something means to look for something. It is common in the UK. - You
Something warm, for the winter.
- Other person
Our winter coats are just over there, by the window.
2. Asking for a size, a colour or another model
Always start with Do you have this in…: a colour, a size, another shop.
- You
Do you have this in a different colour?
UK→ Colour (UK) and color (US) sound the same. - Other person
Yes, it also comes in black and navy.
- You
Do you have this in a size M?
- Other person
Let me check. Sorry, we're out of stock in that size.
- Other person
Would you like me to check our other branch?
- You
Yes, please. That would be great.
orNo thanks, I'll try it in a size L.
3. Trying clothes on
Where are the fitting rooms? is the key phrase. Say how many items you have.
- You
Where are the fitting rooms?
- Other person
They're at the back, on the right.
- Other person
How many items have you got?
UK - You
Just these three.
- Other person
Here's your number. There's a limit of six items.
→ You give the number (a small plastic card) back when you leave the fitting room. - Other person
How does it fit?
- You
It's a bit big. Could you bring me a smaller size?
orIt's a bit tight. Could I try the next size up?
- Other person
Sure, I'll be right back.
4. Saying what fits and what doesn't
Six adjectives cover everything: tight, loose, short, long, big, small.
- Other person
How's the jacket?
- You
It fits perfectly. I love it.
orIt's too tight around the shoulders.
orIt's a bit loose, and the sleeves are too long.
- Other person
It really suits you.
→ Suit means it looks good on you (the style). Fit means it is the right size. - You
Thanks, I'll take it.
orThanks, but it's not really my style.
→ A polite no: you don't have to buy it.
5. Paying at the till
Card or cash? Loyalty card? Receipt? These are the three usual questions at a till in the UK or the US.
- You
Just this one, please.
- Other person
That's £85, please. Do you have a loyalty card?
- You
No, I don't.
- Other person
Card or cash?
- You
Card, please.
- Other person
Would you like a receipt?
- You
Yes, please.
→ Keep it: you need it if you want to return something later.orNo, thanks.
- Other person
Would you like a bag? It's 10p.
UK→ In England, shops have charged for bags since 2015. Since 2021, the minimum price is 10p. - You
No thanks, I've got my own.
6. Exchanging or getting a refund
Refund or exchange: know the difference. Always keep the receipt and the tag.
- You
Hi, I'd like to return this, please.
- Other person
Of course. Do you have the receipt?
- You
Yes, here it is.
- Other person
Is there anything wrong with it?
- You
No, it just doesn't fit.
- Other person
Would you like a refund or an exchange?
- You
Could I have a refund, please?
orCould I exchange it for a smaller size?
- Other person
No problem. The refund will appear on your card in 3 to 5 working days.
orI'm afraid we can't refund items without the tag, but we can give you store credit.
→ Store credit is money you can spend only in that shop.
Useful vocabulary
Clothes
- a shirta top with buttons and a collar
- a T-shirta simple top with short sleeves
- a jumper(UK)a warm knitted top
- a sweater(US)a warm knitted top
- a hoodiea sweatshirt with a hood
- trousers(UK)clothes that cover each leg
- pants(US)clothes that cover each leg
- a jacket / a coatsomething you wear over your clothes outside
- a dress / a skirtclothes that hang from the shoulders or waist
- jeanstrousers made of strong blue cotton
- shoes / trainers / sneakerswhat you wear on your feet
Sizes
- a sizehow big a piece of clothing is
- small / medium / largethe three main sizes
- extra small / extra largethe smallest and biggest sizes
- one size fits allonly one size, for everyone
- too tight / too loosepressing on you / with too much room
- too big / too smalllarger or smaller than you need
- the right sizeexactly as big as you need
- to fitto be the right size
- to suit (someone)to look good on someone
Colours and materials
- plainone colour, with no pattern
- striped / patternedwith lines / with a design
- cotton / wool / linennatural materials from plants or sheep
- leather / denimanimal skin / strong blue cotton
- a colour / a colorred, blue, green and so on
- light / darkpale / strong and deep
- a shadeone light or dark version of a colour
Shopping
- a fitting room / a changing rooma small room to try clothes on
- a taga label with the price and size
- a receiptthe paper you get when you pay
- a refundmoney given back to you
- an exchangeswapping an item for another one
- a sale / on salea time when prices are lower
- a discountmoney taken off the price
- a clearancea big sale to sell old stock
UK vs US: what changes
| You want to say… | UK | US |
|---|---|---|
| European size 38 (women) | UK 10 | US 6 |
| European size 40 (women) | UK 12 | US 8 |
| Clothes for your legs | Trousers | Pants (in the UK, pants = underwear) |
| Sports shoes | Trainers | Sneakers |
| Warm top with long sleeves | Jumper | Sweater |
| Place where you pay | Till / checkout | Register / checkout |
| Lower prices for a short time | Sale | Sale / clearance |
Common mistakes to avoid
1. Pants ❌ in the UK (it means underwear)
In the US, pants are what you wear on your legs. But in the UK, pants means underwear. If you ask Where are the pants? in a British shop, you will be sent to the underwear section. In the UK, say trousers; in the US, say pants.
2. It suits me ❌ (when you mean the size is right)
To fit means to be the right size for your body. To suit means to look good on you (the style). ✓ The shirt fits (the size is right). ✓ The shirt suits you (it looks good on you). They are different things: clothes can fit you but not suit you, and the other way round.
3. UK 38 ❌ (sizes are different)
Sizes are not the same in Europe, the UK and the US. Women: a European 38 is usually a UK 10 and a US 6 (UK sizes are about 28 less, and US sizes are 4 less than UK sizes). Charts can change from one brand or country to another. Men's shirts: in the UK and the US, they go by collar size in inches (15 = 38 cm, 15.5 = 39 cm, 16 = 41 cm). Always try clothes on before you buy them.
4. I want to return this ❌ without the tag or the receipt
Most shops in the UK and the US refuse a return without: 1) the receipt (the paper you get when you pay), 2) the tag still on the item, 3) a time limit of 14 to 30 days after you buy it. Keep the receipt and the tag until you are sure about the item. Without a receipt, the shop may offer store credit (money to spend in that shop), not a cash refund.
5. Ignoring the shop assistant ❌
When a British or American shop assistant says Can I help you?, they expect an answer, even a short one. Saying nothing seems rude. Short answers: I'm just browsing, thanks, Just looking, thanks, Yes, I'm looking for + item. A smile matters as much as the words.
Practice quiz
Related pages: Buying clothes
Pages on a similar topic or with a similar use, so you can keep exploring.
What's next?
“Buying clothes”: you know what to say. Now say it!
Knowing the phrases is not enough: they need to come out naturally. On PLAY, you practise them in a game, with instant feedback, until they become a habit.
Practise this situation on PLAYFree · No sign-up · 3 minutes
For teachersPractise “Buying clothes” with the whole class
The Academy offers role plays with audio feedback for everyday situations: your students speak, and you follow their progress in spoken interaction.
Discover the Academy30-day free trial · No bank card needed
English contestReal-life English: that's what the contest measures
Every year, the Big Challenge tests how well students understand real situations. Register your students so they can check their level beyond the textbook.
Register my students5,000 students every year · Primary and secondary
Frequently asked questions
How do you ask to try something on in English?+
Say Could I try this on? You need on: try alone is not enough here. To ask where you can try it: Where are the fitting rooms? or Where's the changing room? The assistant may ask How many items?: always give the exact number (the limit is usually six).
What is the difference between fit and suit?+
Fit is about the size: It fits means it is the right size for your body. Suit is about the style: It suits you means it looks good on you. A piece of clothing can fit (the right size) but not suit you (the wrong style), and the other way round.
How do UK and US clothes sizes compare?+
Women: UK 8 = US 4, UK 10 = US 6, UK 12 = US 8, UK 14 = US 10. The US size is 4 less than the UK size. In many European shops, a UK 10 is a size 38 (about 28 more), but charts change from brand to brand, so check the size chart. Men's shirts are sold by collar size in inches: 15 inches = 38 cm.
How do you say clothes are too tight in English?+
Too small around your body: too tight (around the waist / chest / arms). Too big: too loose or too baggy. The wrong length: too short or too long. To ask for another size: Could I try the next size up? (bigger) or the next size down? (smaller).
How do you return clothes to a shop in English?+
Say Hi, I'd like to return this, please. The assistant will check three things: the receipt, the tag (is it still on?) and the date (within 30 days?). If everything is fine, they ask Would you like a refund or an exchange? A refund is your money back (it reaches your card in 3 to 5 working days). An exchange is a different item instead.
What clothes words are different in British and American English?+
Trousers (UK) and pants (US); be careful, because in the UK pants is underwear. Jumper (UK) and sweater (US). Trainers (UK) and sneakers (US). Woolly hat (UK) and beanie (US). For the room where you try clothes on, fitting room and changing room both work.
Updated on 12 November 2026 by the Big Challenge teaching team. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999. Our teaching approach →
The Big Challenge · Updated on 12 November 2026 · Source: www.thebigchallenge.com/bl/academy/learn-english/situations/buying-clothes
© The Big Challenge. Copying allowed for classroom use. Every year, more than 500,000 students across Europe take part in our English contest, created in 1999.