“Put on” or “get into” clothes?
Is there any rule about when it is correct to speak of “putting on” clothes or “getting into” clothes?
I thought it should always be “putting on”, but I have heard people use the expressions “get into a dress”, “get into a swimsuit”. Google also turns up a lot of matches for these. Indeed, there are more matches for “get into a dress” than “put on a dress”.
I thought “get into” was for beds and cars and “put on” for clothes. Obviously “put on” is incorrect for beds and cars, but “get into” can be correct for clothes. But not all clothes: friends tell me you can say “get into a swimsuit” and “get into a dress” but not “get into a jacket”.
I would like to know if there is any rule behind all this. Are there any suggestions? Are there different situations where one should use the different expressions?
Favorite Answer
The expression “put on” a dress or clothes is a vulgarism and should be avoided if possible. One should simply dress.
Americans who, by and large, can not speak English, do not understand this and are accustomed to using five words where one will suffice.
Both usages are fine. “Put on” is more common.
“Get into” is probably more outdated as far as simply getting dressed.
However, “get into” often refers to the fit of the article, and is common with form-fitting women’s fashions (jeans, swimsuits and dresses).
When she cant even get into that dress, she shouldn’t put it on.
When I get up I put on my clothes.
Hold on while I go get into my Sunday school clothes.
Dressing to the nines ( something from the probation period I think )
most people use “put on”
but some people also say “im goin to go get into my bathing suite