How to Sign "Get Dressed"

To sign 'get dressed', start with both hands in a loose '5' handshape with your fingers spread apart. Place your hands near your upper chest with your palms facing inward. Brush your thumbs downward against your chest twice in a quick, sweeping motion.

Examples Using "Get Dressed" in a Sentence

1

I need to get dressed.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'need', and then brush both hands down your chest twice for 'get dressed'.

2

Are you getting dressed?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'get dressed', and raise your eyebrows to indicate it is a yes/no question.

3

Hurry up and get dressed!

Sign 'hurry' and then 'get dressed', using a slightly faster and sharper motion to emphasize the urgency.

How to Sign "Get Dressed"
To sign 'get dressed', start with both hands in a loose '5' handshape with your fingers spread apart. Place your hands near your upper chest with your palms facing inward. Brush your thumbs downward against your chest twice in a quick, sweeping motion.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'get dressed' is highly iconic. The downward brushing motion of the hands against the chest mimics the action of putting on clothes or smoothing out a shirt over your body.
Signing Tips
Keep your fingers relaxed and spread apart while signing. The movement should be a light brushing motion against your chest, not a hard rub. Make sure to repeat the downward motion twice to clearly indicate the action of getting dressed.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using closed fists or flat hands instead of the loose '5' handshape. Another mistake is moving the hands up and down instead of just brushing downwards twice. Remember, the motion is strictly downward, lifting the hands slightly to repeat the brush.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Get Dressed" in a Sentence
1

I need to get dressed.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'need', and then brush both hands down your chest twice for 'get dressed'.

2

Are you getting dressed?

Point to the person for 'you', sign 'get dressed', and raise your eyebrows to indicate it is a yes/no question.

3

Hurry up and get dressed!

Sign 'hurry' and then 'get dressed', using a slightly faster and sharper motion to emphasize the urgency.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is the sign for 'get dressed' the same as 'clothes'?

Yes, the sign for 'get dressed' is exactly the same as the sign for 'clothes'. The context of your sentence will let the other person know whether you are talking about the items of clothing or the action of putting them on.

Do my hands have to touch my chest?

Yes, your thumbs should lightly brush against your chest as you move your hands downward. It doesn't need to be forceful, but the contact helps make the sign clear and natural.

Can I just do the motion once?

Doing the motion once can sometimes mean 'shirt' or a specific clothing item depending on the context, but brushing downward twice is the standard way to sign 'clothes' or 'get dressed'.

ASL is a beautiful, expressive language. Practice regularly and have fun!