The word wardrobe appeared in the English language in the early 14th century. It originated from Old French words warderobe, wardereube and garderobe, in which "warder" meant "to keep, to guard" and "robe" meant "garment" A wardrobe is a standing closet used for storing clothes.

The earliest wardrobe was a chest and it was not until some degree of luxury was attained in regal palaces and the castles of powerful nobles that separate accommodation was provided for the apparel of the great. The name "wardrobe" was then given to a room in which the wall-space was filled with closets. From these cupboards and lockers, the modern wardrobe with its hanging spaces, sliding shelves and drawers, evolved slowly.