Aparel vs. garment?

[Nicole]

OK; I understand it will be difficult to explain the difference(s) between all these words but maybe you could give me at least some pointers? When do we have to use these words:

apparel - clothing - garments - garb

Thank you in advance for any suggestions.
Nicole
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[Alan]

Hi Nicole,

A strange collection of words indeed. Apparel is very often a ceremonial type of clothing. Garments refers to items of clothing in an almost official way - often linked to the word list when describing clothing belonging to someone. Garb is akin to apparel and is very often associated with a form of clothing that's unusual or worn to disguise the person inside them. And clothing is the simplest form of all to describe a collection of clothes.

These are just my thoughts on a Sunday afternoon.

Alan

PS No doubt your question will elicit a string of dictionary definitions but I've tried to give impressions instead.
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[Nicole]

Hello Alan,

The speed at which you usually answer questions on this forum is simply amazing. Yes, your short description is exactly what I was looking for and no dictionary would have been of any help here.
So thanks a lot for your excellent service (escecially since it is Sunday evening).
Nicole
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Life is for living.