In this article, you’ll learn some idioms with clothes. These set phrases inspired by articles of clothing are very popular in both Spanish from Spain and Spanish from Mexico. Let’s have a look at them.

Clothes in Spanish

The Spanish word for clothing or clothes is ropa. First, let’s review some of the most popular items of clothes and how they are called in Spanish.

  • la ropa (clothes, clothing)
  • la blusa (blouse)
  • la camiseta (t-shirt)
  • la camisa (shirt)
  • la chaqueta (jacket)
    • In Mexico, la chamarra is used instead.
  • el jersey or el suéter (sweater)
  • la sudadera (sweatshirt)
  • el vestido (dress)
  • la falda (skirt)
  • los pantalones (pants)
  • los pantalones vaqueros (jeans)
    • In Mexico, los pantalones de mezclilla is used instead.
  • el traje (suit)
  • los calcetines (socks)

Spanish Idioms with Clothes

We have reviewed the vocabulary about items of clothing. Now let’s learn some Spanish idioms with clothes.

Cambiar de chaqueta (to change sides)

Cambiar de chaqueta means to change sides. It is used when a person changes their loyalty from one team or group and start supporting another one. If someone changes sides, you can use the expresión ser un chaquetero or ser una chaquetera (to be a turncoat).

A Raquel no le da vergüenza cambiar de chaqueta para conseguir todos sus objetivos.

Raquel has no shame to change sides in order to achieve all her goals.

Carlos, eres un chaquetero. Ayer querías jugar con nosotros y hoy nos dejas para irte con ellos.

Carlos, you are a turncoat. Yesterday you wanted to play with us and today you leave us to go with them.

Meterse en camisa de once varas (to get into trouble)

There are many Spanish idioms with clothes, in particular with the words camisa and camiseta. For example, meterse en camisa de once varas means to get into trouble or to get into something way over one’s head.

Mi hermano Antonio se mete en camisa de once varas con bastante facilidad.

My brother Antonio often gets into trouble quite easily.

Pensaba que eran más inteligentes como para no meterse en camisa de once varas.

I thought they were more intelligent not to get into trouble.

Llevar los pantalones (to wear the pants)

Llevar los pantalones means to wear the pants or to make decisions. This idiom comes from the past, when pants were used by men only, and they were considered to be the ones in charge.

Mi madre lleva los pantalones en nuestra familia, siempre ha sido así.

My mom wears the pants in our family, it’s always been like that.

En la empresa Marisa es quien lleva los pantalones. Ella decidió vender la empresa.

In the company Marisa is the one who makes decisions. She decided to sell it.

Quedar como un guante (to fit like a glove)

The last idiom has been used since the 18th century in both Spanish and English: quedar como un guante, which means to fit like a glove.

El vestido morado es más bonito y, además, te queda como un guante.

The purple dress is prettier and, it also fits you like a glove.

Tienes la cara redonda, por eso estas gafas te quedan como un guante.

You have a round face. That’s why these glasses fit you like a glove.

Exercises

Now let’s do some exercises to practice these Spanish idioms with clothes.

Exercise 1

Exercise 2

Categorized in:

Idioms and Phrases