Togs

Togs is an informal plural noun in English that refers to clothes or outfits. In British and Australian usage, togs or tog (singular) can denote clothing, gear, or equipment, and phrases such as “put your togs on” or “best togs” are common. In North American English, the term is much less common and is often considered old-fashioned or playful, with “clothes” or “outfits” being more typical.

Common uses of the word include swimwear, especially in Australia where “togs” is widely used to mean bathers or swim clothes. In the UK and other parts of the English-speaking world, you might hear “swim togs,” “swimming togs,” or simply “swimwear.” The term also appears in athletic or casual contexts, such as “gym togs,” “training togs,” or “football/rugby togs,” referring to uniforms or gear worn for sport or exercise.

Etymology and history are uncertain, but “tog” as a noun meaning clothing has long been part of British and Scottish dialects. The word conveys a sense of everyday, informal attire and is less likely to be used for formal dress. Related terms include tog, togs, tog up (to dress), and togger/y, which appear in various dialects to describe clothing or equipment.

In summary, togs denotes clothing or gear in informal, regional usage, with a strong association to swimwear and sports attire in many places, while in other varieties it remains a quaint or nostalgic term for everyday dress.