Vaate

Vaate is a Finnish noun meaning a single garment or item of clothing. The term is used in everyday speech as well as in fashion and retail discourse. The standard singular form is vaate and the plural form is vaatteet. It functions as a base word for many clothing-related compounds.

Common derivatives and compounds include vaatetus (the clothing sector or attire); vaatekappale (garment); vaatekauppa (clothing store); urheiluvaate (sportswear); päivävaate or päivävaatteet (everyday wear).

In contemporary Finland, vaate-related language appears in consumer communication, fashion journalism, and second-hand markets. The term covers a broad range of garments, from everyday items to specialized attire, without indicating quality, style, or origin by itself. As a basic lexeme for clothing, vaate forms a core part of everyday vocabulary and of industry-specific terminology, including phrases used by retailers and manufacturers to describe products and categories.