Japanese chooses the 'wear' verb based on where on the body the item goes, rather than using one word like English 'wear'.
着る (torso/upper) ・ 履く (legs/feet) ・ かぶる (head) ・ かける (glasses) ・ する (accessories)
シャツを着て、靴を履いて、帽子をかぶる。
Shatsu o kite, kutsu o haite, boushi o kaburu.
Put on a shirt, put on shoes, and put on a hat.
Each body zone uses a different verb: 着る (shirt) / 履く (shoes) / かぶる (hat).
眼鏡をかける。
Megane o kakeru.
Put on glasses.
かける = to hang/hook something onto an anchor point (over the ears).
今日は新しいセーターを着ています。
Kyou wa atarashii seetaa o kite imasu.
I'm wearing a new sweater today.
着る is for the torso; 着ている describes the ongoing state of wearing.
• Tense trap: シャツを着る means 'I will put on a shirt', not 'I am wearing a shirt'. • State of wearing: For the current state (being dressed in something now) use the ている form: シャツを着ている (I am wearing a shirt). • Other verbs: neckties/watches/gloves take する or はめる; scarves take 巻く.
The JLPT rarely asks whether you recognise a pattern — it asks which of several similar patterns fits. These are the ones 着る・履く・かぶる is tested against.
着る is for items covering the torso/whole upper body (shirts, jackets); 履く is for anything you step into on the lower body (trousers, socks, shoes).
Plain 着る = future action of putting on; 着ている = the resulting ongoing state of being dressed in it.
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