Italian Phrase
Cosa mi metto?
Meaning
Literally ‘What do I put on myself?’, this idiomatic question is used to ask for advice on what to wear in a given situation. It can also convey a quick, informal request for a second opinion on an outfit.
When to use
Use this phrase when you’re standing in front of a wardrobe, getting ready for an event, or when a friend asks you to choose an outfit. It’s casual and common among friends, family, or colleagues in informal settings.
✦Grammar Breakdown
Cosamimetto?
Cosa (interrogative pronoun)
Used to ask 'what' in a neutral, open‑ended question.
mi (reflexive pronoun)
Indicates that the action of the verb reflects back on the subject – here, ‘I’ am putting something on myself.
metto (present of mettere)
First‑person singular present of the verb ‘mettere’ (to put). In this reflexive construction it means ‘to wear/put on’.
Reflexive construction
Italian often uses the reflexive form ‘mettersi’ when talking about clothing, similar to English ‘to get dressed’.
🗨In Conversation
Cosa mi metto?
What should I wear?
Metti la giacca, fa freddo fuori.
Put on the jacket, it’s cold outside.
✕Common Mistakes
Cosa metto?
Missing the reflexive pronoun ‘mi’; without it the sentence means ‘What do I put (something)’, not ‘What should I wear’.
Che cosa mi metto?
While understandable, native speakers usually drop ‘che’ and say ‘Cosa mi metto?’ for brevity.
Cosa mi indosso?
‘Indossare’ is correct but the reflexive pronoun is not used with it; you would say ‘Cosa indosso?’ or ‘Che cosa indosso?’.
↔Alternatives
Che cosa indosso?
What am I wearing?
Che cosa dovrei indossare?
What should I put on?
Mi consigli cosa indossare?
Can you advise me on what to wear?
Cultural Tip
Italians love to talk about fashion, even in everyday conversation. When you ask ‘Cosa mi metto?’, you’re inviting the other person to share their style opinion, which can be a subtle way to bond. In the north, people may be more practical (e.g., ‘metti una giacca’), while in the south you might hear more expressive suggestions about colors or accessories. Keep the tone friendly; using a more formal version like ‘Che cosa dovrei indossare?’ is appropriate in professional contexts.