Tamil Words for Clothes and Fashion: A Glossary of Style

The world of clothing and fashion is a vibrant and expressive part of any culture. The garments we wear are more than just a covering; they are a statement of our identity, our traditions, and our personal style. In Tamil culture, this is especially true. The world of clothes in Tamil (ஆடைகள் – Āṭaikaḷ) is a beautiful blend of timeless, traditional garments and modern, contemporary fashion. For anyone learning the Tamil language, building a good fashion vocabulary is a fun and practical way to engage in everyday conversations, from complimenting a friend’s outfit to shopping for clothes in a store.

This guide will provide you with a comprehensive list of the essential Tamil words for clothing items, with a special focus on the beautiful and iconic traditional Tamil attire. This vocabulary will not only help you to describe the world around you but will also give you a deeper appreciation for the rich textile heritage of the Tamil people.

Part 1: Traditional Tamil Attire (பாரம்பரிய உடைகள் – Pārampariya uṭaikaḷ)

These are the garments that are a hallmark of Tamil culture, often worn for weddings, festivals, and other special occasions. Understanding these words is key to understanding the culture.

For Women:

• சேலை (Sēlai) – Saree: This is the most iconic of all. The saree is a long, unstitched piece of cloth, typically around six yards long, that is elegantly draped around the body. The style of draping can vary from region to region.
• ரவிக்கை (Ravikkai) – Blouse: The fitted blouse that is worn with a saree.
• பாவாடை (Pāvāṭai) – Long Skirt: A traditional long skirt, often made of silk.
• தாவணி (Tāvaṇi) – Half-Saree: The “Pavadai Thavani” is a traditional three-piece outfit for teenage and young women, consisting of a pavadai (skirt), a ravikkai (blouse), and a thavani (a shorter cloth that is draped over the shoulder, similar to the pallu of a saree). It is often seen as a transitional outfit between a child’s skirt and a woman’s saree.
• சுடிதார் (Suṭitār) / சல்வார் கமீஸ் (Salvār kamīs): While it has its origins in North India, the Salwar Kameez, locally known as a “Chudithar,” is an extremely popular and common form of everyday and formal wear for women of all ages in Tamil Nadu. It consists of a tunic (the kameez), trousers (the salwar), and a scarf (the dupatta).

For Men:

• வேட்டி (Vēṭṭi) – Dhoti: This is the primary traditional garment for men. The veshti is a rectangular piece of unstitched cloth, typically made of cotton or silk, that is wrapped around the waist and legs. A pure white veshti is a symbol of purity and is worn for formal and religious occasions.
• சட்டை (Caṭṭai) – Shirt: The shirt that is worn with a veshti.
• அங்கவஸ்திரம் (Aṅkavastiram): A second, smaller piece of cloth that is draped over the shoulder. It is often worn with a veshti during religious ceremonies.
• குர்தா (Kurtā): A long, tunic-style shirt that is a popular form of everyday and festive wear for men, often paired with trousers or a veshti.

Part 2: Modern, Everyday Clothing Items

This is the essential vocabulary you would need for a shopping trip or for describing your daily outfits.

General Terms:

• Clothes – ஆடைகள் (Āṭaikaḷ) or உடைகள் (Uṭaikaḷ)
• Dress – ஆடை (Āṭai) or உடை (Uṭai)

Common Garments:

• Shirt – சட்டை (Caṭṭai)
• Trousers / Pants – கால்சட்டை (Kālcaṭṭai)
• Skirt – பாவாடை (Pāvāṭai) – The same word is used for a modern skirt.
• Shorts – அரைக்கால்சட்டை (Araikkālcaṭṭai) – Literally “half-trousers.”
• T-shirt – டி-ஷர்ட் (Ṭi-ṣarṭ) – The English word is commonly used.
• Jeans – ஜீன்ஸ் (Jīṉs) – The English word is used.
• Coat / Jacket – கோட் (Kōṭ)
• Socks – காலுறைகள் (Kāluṟaikaḷ)
• Shoes – காலணிகள் (Kālaṇikaḷ)
• Hat – தொப்பி (Toppi)
• Scarf / Shawl – சால்வை (Cālvai)

Part 3: Fabrics and Materials (துணி வகைகள் – Tuṇi vakaikaḷ)

The textile traditions of Tamil Nadu are legendary, especially its silks.

• Cotton – பருத்தி (Parutti)
• Silk – பட்டு (Paṭṭu)
  
  Cultural Note: The city of Kanchipuram in Tamil Nadu is world-famous for its magnificent silk sarees (காஞ்சிபுரம் பட்டு – Kanchipuram pattu).
• Wool – கம்பளி (Kampaḷi)
• Fabric / Cloth – துணி (Tuṇi)

Part 4: Useful Adjectives and Verbs

To have a real conversation about fashion, you need more than just nouns.

Descriptive Words:

• New – புதிய (Putiya)
• Old – பழைய (Paḻaiya)
• Beautiful / Pretty – அழகான (Aḻakāṉa)
• Color – வண்ணம் (Vaṇṇam) or நிறம் (Niṟam)
• Design – வடிவமைப்பு (Vaṭivamaippu)

Action Words (Verbs):

• To wear – அணிவது (Aṇivatu) or போடுவது (Pōṭuvatu)
• To buy – வாங்குவது (Vāṅkuvatu)
• To wash – துவைப்பது (Tuvaippatu)

Sample Conversation:

Friend 1: “உங்கள் புதிய சேலை மிகவும் அழகாக இருக்கிறது!” (Uṅkaḷ putiya cēlai mikavum aḻakāka irukkiṟatu!) – “Your new saree is very beautiful!”

Friend 2: “நன்றி! இது ஒரு காஞ்சிபுரம் பட்டு சேலை.” (Nanṟi! Itu oru kāñcipuram paṭṭu cēlai.) – “Thank you! This is a Kanchipuram silk saree.”

Friend 1: “நான் ஒரு புதிய சட்டை வாங்க வேண்டும்.” (Nāṉ oru putiya caṭṭai vāṅka vēṇṭum.) – “I need to buy a new shirt.”

Conclusion: The Language of Personal Expression

Learning the Tamil words for clothing items is a fun, practical, and culturally enriching part of the language learning journey. It is a vocabulary that you can use every single day, whether you are getting dressed in the morning, shopping at a local market, or attending a beautiful Indian wedding. This fashion vocabulary gives you the words to not only describe what you see but also to express your own personal style. By learning the names for the iconic traditional Tamil attire, you are also gaining a deeper appreciation for the rich history and the living traditions of the Tamil people.