garment

This term carries a formal, technical, or industrial tone. You will rarely hear someone use it in a casual conversation to describe their daily outfit; instead, it is the preferred word for tailors, fashion designers, and legal documents. It treats clothing as an object of manufacture or a specimen of design rather than a personal accessory. Because of its clinical precision, using it in a social setting can sound stiff or overly precise. While a shirt is a piece of clothing, a garment is the professional classification of that object, often emphasizing the material, construction, or historical value of the piece.