As summer ends and autumn begins, many Italians embark on the ‘cambio di stagione nell’armadio’. This is when it’s common for Italians to change their summer clothes for their winter clothes, according to the change in season. Il cambio di stagione means ‘change in season’ and ‘nell’armadio’ means ‘in the wardrobe’.
Whether or not this is something you practice yourself, it can be helpfully to have some relevant vocabulary to use when talking Italian. Today we’re going to look at some clothes vocabulary that are relevant to the change in season:
La giacca – jacket (light)
Il giubbotto – jacket (thicker)
Il cappotto – coat
L’impermeabile - raincoat
La sciarpa – scarf
I guanti – gloves
Il cappello – hat
L’ombrello - umbrella
Il maglione – sweater / jumper
Il golf –cardigan
La camicia - shirt
I pantaloni – trousers
I jeans – jeans
La gonna - skirt
Gli stivali – boots
Vestiti pesanti – warm clothes
Di pelle – made of leather, for example giacca di pelle – leather jacket
In terms of where you put your new autumn clothes, there are a few options:
L’armadio - wardrobe or closet
La cabina armadio - walk-in wardrobe or closet
Il cassetto – drawer
And what about where you put your summer clothes? They could go in:
Una valigia – a suitcase
Una borsa – a bag
Una scatola – a box or container
La soffitta - the loft/attic
Il ripostiglio storage closet or cupboard)
As autumn progresses and you’re noticing it’s a little cooler wherever you are, you could try out these autumnal expressions:
Aria settembrina fresco la sera e fresco la mattina – September air is cool in the evening and cool in the morning
Ottobre è bello ma tieni pronto l’ombrello! – October is beautiful but keep you umbrella at the ready!
