How to Sign "Wear"

To sign "wear," form both hands into 'U' handshapes by extending your index and middle fingers and keeping them together. Place both hands near your upper chest with your palms facing inward toward your body. Slide both hands down your chest simultaneously.

Examples Using "Wear" in a Sentence

1

What are you going to wear?

Point to the person to sign 'YOU', sign 'WEAR', and then sign 'WHAT' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a question.

2

I like to wear black.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'LIKE' by pulling your thumb and middle finger away from your chest, sign 'BLACK', and finish with 'WEAR'.

3

She wears a jacket.

Point to the person to sign 'SHE', sign 'WEAR', and then sign 'JACKET' by mimicking pulling a coat over your shoulders.

How to Sign "Wear"
To sign "wear," form both hands into 'U' handshapes by extending your index and middle fingers and keeping them together. Place both hands near your upper chest with your palms facing inward toward your body. Slide both hands down your chest simultaneously.
Visual Logic(Etymology)
The sign for 'wear' is visually intuitive. The 'U' handshapes sliding down the chest represent the act of putting on a piece of clothing or the way a garment drapes down the front of your body.
Signing Tips
Make sure to keep your index and middle fingers tightly together to form clear 'U' handshapes. The movement should be a smooth, continuous slide down the front of your body, stopping around your lower stomach. Keep your palms facing inward the entire time.
Common Mistakes
A common mistake is using open, flat hands instead of the 'U' handshape, which makes the sign look like 'clothes' or 'dress.' Another mistake is moving the hands outward away from the body instead of sliding them straight down your chest.
Regional Variations
This sign is widely used and understood across the ASL community with minimal regional variation.
Examples Using "Wear" in a Sentence
1

What are you going to wear?

Point to the person to sign 'YOU', sign 'WEAR', and then sign 'WHAT' while furrowing your eyebrows to indicate a question.

2

I like to wear black.

Point to yourself for 'I', sign 'LIKE' by pulling your thumb and middle finger away from your chest, sign 'BLACK', and finish with 'WEAR'.

3

She wears a jacket.

Point to the person to sign 'SHE', sign 'WEAR', and then sign 'JACKET' by mimicking pulling a coat over your shoulders.

Frequently Asked Questions
Is there a difference between the signs for 'wear' and 'clothes'?

Yes! While they are related, 'clothes' is signed by brushing the thumbs of your open '5' hands down your chest twice. 'Wear' uses 'U' handshapes and is typically a single, smooth downward motion.

Can I use this sign for wearing accessories like jewelry or perfume?

Generally, this sign is used for clothing. For accessories, you often just sign the item itself (like 'necklace' or 'ring') or use the sign for 'put on' to show applying it to your body.

Do I need to touch my chest while signing 'wear'?

You don't need to press firmly against your chest, but your hands should lightly brush or hover very close to your clothing as they move downward to clearly convey the meaning.

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