What is a shirt?

Question

Hi,yes, I don't know what a shirt is. In American English. I thought it was something like this --&gt; shirt &lt;-- with buttons down the front, and there are of many different kinds, some are wore with a tie, etc.But I found out that "shirt" in AmE refers to "any upper-body garement other than coats and bras." So, is it a general term or does it have to have buttons? I thought the general term was sweater.Thanks

Khoff · Accepted Answer

But I found out that "shirt" in AmE refers to "any upper-body garement other than coats and bras." So, is it a general term or does it have to have buttons?

Hi, Kooyeen. The truth lies somewhere in between. A shirt does not have to have buttons. A T-shirt is a shirt, so is a polo shirt. A shirt can be sleeveless, short-sleeved or long-sleeved.

On the other hand, not every "upper-body garment other than coats and bras" is a shirt.. A sweater is not a shirt -- generally a sweater is worn over a shirt.

Just to confuse things, the kind of shirt intended to be worn with a suit and tie is called a "dress shirt." (As in "dress up" or "dressy", not as in "a woman's dress.")

I would suggest you go to Target.com or Walmart.com and search for "shirt" and you'll see what the range is.

Kooyeen · Answer

Hi Khoff,
thank you so much. Gee, what a mess though...

Can I just call a dress shirt "shirt"?

So it seems a shirt is whatever could go under a sweater, right?

Thanks

Feebs11 · Answer

Yes, you can call a dress shirt a shirt, and indeed, you can wear shirts under sweaters or under jackets. You can also have night shirts that you wear in bed [they are usually knee length] .

If you look at the origin of the word, it derives from "skyrte" = tunic, which itself derives from a word meaning short. So essentially it was a short garment worn on the upper body. What is really confusing is that "skirt" also derives from this word.

Kooyeen · Answer

Ok, thanks.
I'd better stop by at Walmart... on the net, of course.

10 minutes later...
Ok, I've been to Walmart. It looks like the difference between a shirt and a sweater is that a shirt is generally "light", and a sweater is generally "heavier" than a common shirt. Shirts can either be wore under something else or not. Shirts with buttons down the front can also be called "button-down shirts". Shirts that looks very nice and could be wore on more formal occasions can also be called "dress shirts". Shirts that have short sleeves can also be called "polo shirts" or "T-shirts" (I know the difference).
Anyway, all of those can just be called "shirt", and I think "shirt" must be the most general term for something you wear on the upper part of your body. Otherwise, what do you say to the police if you saw someone suspect, but you were not close to him? He was running, and he was wearing a red... hmm shirt? Sweater? I really don't know, I could hardly see it was a person, LOL. So I guess it's "shirt" the general word.

That's what I understand. Is there something wrong?

The only things I don't understand are...
First: how come T-shirts can also have long sleeves? I didn't know this. If so, what would be the difference between a T-shirt with long sleeves and a normal shirt?
Second: Anyone know what a sweatshirt is supposed to be?

Thanks in advance

BarbaraPA · Answer

Poor Kooyeen!

A long-sleeve T is called a long-sleeve T. Otherwise, you assume a T-shirt has short sleeves.

I'm wearing a sweatshirt right now. It's like a very heavy-duty t-shirt with long sleeves. If it has a hood, it's called a hooded sweatshirt, or a hoodie. If you turn a sweatshirt inside out, it will be "fuzzy" inside. Often a sweatshirt will have writing or a picture on it. The one I'm wearing had a minor-league baseball team mascot. My other favorite sweatshirt has my college's logo on it. My husband, however, has a yellow one that is quite plain without writing.

Kooyeen · Answer

Grammar GeekI'm wearing a sweatshirt right now. It's like a very heavy-duty t-shirt with long sleeves. If it has a hood, it's called a hooded sweatshirt, or a hoodie. If you turn a sweatshirt inside out, it will be "fuzzy" inside. Often a sweatshirt will have writing or a picture on it. The one I'm wearing had a minor-league baseball team mascot. My other favorite sweatshirt has my college's logo on it. My husband, however, has a yellow one that is quite plain without writing.

Ok, so it seems it's "felpa" in Italian, even though we actually call "felpa" everything, so it's a felpa even if it's a sweater. Thanks

But what I said about shirts... did that make sense?

Khoff · Answer

Anyway, all of those can just be called "shirt", and I think "shirt" must be the most general term for something you wear on the upper part of your body.

Yes, I think that's pretty accurate. An even vaguer word is "top" -- "he was wearing a red top and dark pants" -- but it's more informal. "Shirt" is the most useful general word.

Oh, there's also "blouse" -- a more feminine, dressy version of a shirt.

Another difference between shirts and sweaters -- sweaters are generally knit (or crocheted), and shirts are made from pieces of fabric cut and sewn together.

Kooyeen · Answer

I see. Thank you so much! <img class='emoticon' style='Width:19px;Height:19px;' data-delaysrc='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' src='https://uat-englishforward-forums-backend.s3.us-west-2.amazonaws.com/Emoticons/1.gif' alt='Emotion: smile'/>

Yankee · Answer

KhoffAnother difference between shirts and sweaters -- sweaters are generally knit (or crocheted), and shirts are made from pieces of fabric cut and sewn together.

I agree with that general distinction: Sweaters are typically made of knit material and shirts are frequently made of woven material. But, just to make sure the confusion is as complete as possible, it should be mentioned that there are also things called "knit shirts". lol

What is a shirt?

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