Learn English – One clothing item ? singular of clothes

word-usage

I just found out clothes is plural only. Yay

How do you say one clothing item without specifying the exact type or using some mouthful words ?
Or perhaps, more natual way is just say a dress, a shirt, etc. ?

Best Answer

In modern English, clothing is used as a collective term. This wasn't always the case however:

a1425 (▸c1395) Bible (Wycliffite, L.V.) (Royal) (1850) Matt. ix. 16 No man puttith a clout of bostous clothe into an olde clothing

Today though we would usually use an alternative, singular term such as garment if we were speaking generally or else would refer to the specific type of clothing.

The notable exception is the 'item of' form:

  • I only have one item of clothing that I really feel comfortable in.
  • Which one item of clothing do you always take on holiday?
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