Clothes
Clothes are the outfits that Sims wear. Sims are only without clothes when bathing, streaking, skinny-dipping, or WooHooing.
The Sims
- See also: Skins
In The Sims, there are seven different categories of clothing:
- Normal
- PJs
- Swimsuit
- Formal (adults only)
- Winterwear (The Sims: Vacation)
- High Fashion (The Sims: Superstar, adults only)
- Princely (The Sims: Makin' Magic, Prince sims only)
Sims wear Normal clothes by default, and they are the only clothing option available in Create-A-Sim. It is not possible to purchase Normal outfits, as wardrobes contain all available everyday clothes. Prior to Hot Date, the wardrobe's "Change Clothes" option would change a Sim into the next available Normal outfit for his or her age, gender, and skin tone, even if it didn't use the same body type. If Hot Date or a later expansion is installed, the "Change Clothes" option opens a dialog which allows the player to individually preview and select an outfit (that matches the Sim's age, gender, skin tone, and body type).
Hot Date introduces the ability to purchase new outfits for other categories, which can be bought on community lots. However, the new outfit replaces the old one, meaning that a Sim can only have one of each type of clothing at any given time. Vacation introduces Winterwear, and also allows Child sims to purchase new clothing for each category, using a new specially designated clothing stand. Superstar introduces the High Fashion category, while Makin' Magic introduces Princely attire exclusively for Prince sims.
Almost every category of clothing has its own individual clothing rack, from which it may be exclusively purchased from. Children can also use the racks for Swimsuits, PJs and Winterwear, as long as they're in community areas that kids can travel to. In addition, there are two racks that allow sims to buy several different categories of clothing, one for adults and one for kids.
Players can have Sims try on outfits before buying them. The Sim will go into a changing booth, change into the selected outfit, and pose in front of a mirror. After a short time, the clerk will approach the Sim, and the player will be asked if they want to have the Sim buy that outfit. If the answer is "Yes", the Sim will follow the clerk to the register and pay for the outfit.
Clothing racks are not carried forward from Hot Date and Vacation, meaning that games with later expansions installed may feature and allow the player to use the alternate clothing, but have no object to purchase it from. The clothing racks, by expansion pack, are:
| Name of object | Category | Price | Expansion |
| "Don't Mention It" Lingerie Rack | PJs | §75 | Hot Date |
| TresSheik Formalwear Display | Formal | §149 | Hot Date |
| Tubula Swim Suit Display | Swimsuit | §45 | Hot Date |
| Ploomie's Garment Rack |
Formal PJs Swimsuit Winterwear |
§149 §75 §45 §100 |
Hot Date |
| SlopeStyle Skiwear Rack | Winterwear | §100 | Vacation |
| Rags-A-Muffin Garmenteria |
PJs Swimsuit Winterwear |
§75 §45 §100 |
Vacation |
| Bob's Haute Coutoure Rack, | High Fashion | §249 | Superstar |
In Makin' Magic Sims can kiss Toads, which may result in one turning into a Prince. A Prince will gain an extra clothing category, "Princely", consisting solely of gold and purple finery. There are no other options for Princely outfits.
The Sims 2
- See also: Body Shop
In The Sims 2, there are seven different categories of clothing:
- Everyday (§200 - available as tops, bottoms, or whole outfits. )
- Formal (§400)
- PJs (§75)
- Undies (§50)
- Swimwear (§150).
- Athletic (§100 - not available for toddlers)
- Outerwear [TS2:S](§300).
Sims receive a new set of clothing when they age. Otherwise Sims must go to community lots to purchase more clothes. While clothing is expensive, it lasts forever, never needs washing, and one size really does fit all.
In The Sims 2, all clothing racks sell all types of clothing. Since clothes are bought for the household, not for the individual Sim, Sims can buy clothes for other ages, and for the opposite gender. So, teens, adults, and elders can buy for toddlers and children; and teens and adults can buy for their next life stage. However, young adult clothing can only be bought on college community lots, so teens cannot plan their college wardrobe ahead of time. Also, young adults getting ready to leave campus cannot buy their adult clothing in advance. (Young adults can go to other areas and buy adult clothing, but will not keep it when they leave campus.)
Players can have Sims try on outfits for their own age and gender. This can be useful, as the "mannequin" figure that appears when using the Buy option for the Sim's age and gender isn't always a good representation of the Sim. For example, the "mannequin" will generally be light-skinned, even if the Sim is not. Also, while children cannot buy clothes, they can try them on. The player will not be given the option to add tried-on clothes to the Sim's cart, so having them buy those clothes will involve using a clothing rack's Buy option, and finding them again.
Sims can change and plan outfits with a dresser. Most outfits are one-piece outfits. but Everyday clothes can also be bought as separate tops and bottoms, which allows players to mix-and-match tops and bottoms for unique Everyday two-piece outfits.
The Sims 3
- See also: Create a Style
In The Sims 3, there are seven different categories of clothing::
- Everyday
- Formal
- Sleepwear
- Athletic
- Swimwear
- Martial Arts (hidden)
- Career (hidden)
There are no longer clothing shops as Sims have access to all outfits except special career outfits. In The Sims 3, players have the ability to customize the pattern and color of every article of clothing. Shoes are now separate pieces from the rest of the clothes, and every outfit category has the ability to choose different tops and bottoms. Sims can now choose one of three different outfits from each category of clothing and wear them periodically. Also, hair can be assigned to an outfit, as featured in The Sims 2: Seasons. However, in order to assign hair to an outfit, the Sim must be wearing that category of clothing; which was not necessary in The Sims 2: Seasons.
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A Sim wearing a Christmas robe, that players can buy in The Store.
