Usar vs. vestir
When translating "to wear" into Portuguese, you will mostly encounter two verbs: usar and vestir. While they are often interchangeable regarding clothing, usar is a broad term that also covers accessories and habits, whereas vestir is specific to the act of dressing the body with fabric.
Usar
A1This verb broadly means "to use". In the context of fashion, it is the most versatile option. You use usar for clothing, but it is also the mandatory choice for accessories like glasses, watches, jewelry, perfume, and makeup. Furthermore, usar is used to talk about clothing sizes or habitual style.
Eu gosto de usar camisetas pretas.
(I like to wear black t-shirts.)
Ela usa óculos para ler.
(She wears glasses to read.)
João não usa relógio.
(João does not wear a watch.)
Você usa perfume no trabalho?
(Do you wear perfume at work?)
Eu uso tamanho trinta e oito.
(I wear size thirty-eight.)
Minha mãe usa anéis de ouro.
(My mother wears gold rings.)
Vestir
A1This verb relates specifically to "dressing" or covering the body. It applies strictly to garments (shirts, dresses, pants, coats) and is never used for accessories like glasses or jewelry. Vestir often emphasizes the action of putting clothes on, or how a piece of clothing fits on the body.
Vou vestir um casaco porque está frio.
(I am going to wear a coat because it is cold.)
Essa calça veste muito bem.
(These pants fit/wear very well.)
O que você vai vestir no casamento?
(What are you going to wear to the wedding?)
O modelo veste uma camisa de seda.
(The model wears a silk shirt.)
Ela demorou para vestir as crianças.
(She took a long time to dress the children.)
Ele gosta de vestir terno.
(He likes to wear suits.)
Summary
To select the right word, categorize the item. If it is a main piece of clothing (like a shirt or dress), you can use either usar or vestir. If it is an accessory (glasses, jewelry), a scent, or makeup, you must use usar. Additionally, use vestir when discussing the fit of the clothing or the specific physical act of getting dressed.