👗 Clothes in French: A Guide to Clothing Vocabulary in French
Whether you’re shopping in Paris, chatting with French friends, or simply curious about French fashion, knowing the right vocabulary and expressions can make all the difference. This guide covers everything from essential clothing terms to useful verbs, idioms, and cultural insights—helping you dress, speak, and feel confident in French style.
🧥 Vocabulaire des vêtements – Clothing Vocabulary
🩲 Sous-vêtements (Underwear)
- des sous-vêtements (m) – underpants
- un caleçon – boxers
- un slip – briefs
- un soutien-gorge – bra
- des chaussettes (f) – socks
- une culotte (f) – panties
- des bas (m) – stockings
- des collants (m) – pantyhose
👗 Robes (Dresses)
- une robe – dress
- une robe longue – long dress
- une robe courte – short dress
- une robe maxi – maxi dress
- une robe de soirée – formal dress
- une robe semi-formelle – semi-formal dress
- une robe de cocktail – cocktail dress
- une robe de soirée – ballgown
- une robe d’été – summer dress
- une robe mi-longue – midi dress
- une robe décolletée – off-the-shoulder dress
- une robe de mariée – wedding gown
👖 Pantalons et Shorts (Pants and Shorts)
- un pantalon – pants / trousers
- un pantalon de survêtement – tracksuit pants
- un pantalon de tailleur – suit pants
- un short – shorts
- un bermuda – bermuda shorts
- un pantacourt – capri pants
- un pantalon cargo – cargo pants
- un jean – jeans
- un pantalon de jogging – jog pants
- un pantalon de yoga – yoga pants
- un legging – leggings
- un pantalon décontracté – lounge pants
- un pantalon slim – slim pants
- un pantalon skinny – skinny pants
- un pantalon patte d’éléphant – flare pants
👕 Hauts (Shirts and Tops)
- une chemise – shirt
- un t-shirt – t-shirt
- un chemisier – blouse
- une chemise à boutons – button-up shirt
- un polo – polo shirt
- un top – top
- un débardeur – singlet / tank top
- un top dos nu – halter top
- un bustier – bustier
- un bralette – bralette
- un t-shirt oversize – oversize t-shirt
- un sweat à capuche – hoodie
- un sweat – sweater
- un pull – pullover
- une polaire – fleece
- un débardeur à fines bretelles – thin strap top
🧥 Vestes et Manteaux (Jackets and Coats)
- une veste – jacket
- un manteau – coat
- un blouson – blouson / short jacket
- une gabardine – gabardine coat
- une doudoune – puffer jacket
- une veste en jean – denim jacket
- un coupe-vent – windbreaker
- une veste en cuir – leather jacket
- un blouson bombers – bomber jacket
- un cardigan – cardigan
- une parka – parka
- un trench coat – trench coat
- un anorak – anorak
- une veste de pluie / k-way – raincoat
- un poncho – poncho
- un gilet – vest
- un veston – waistcoat
👗 Jupes (Skirts)
- une jupe – skirt
- une jupe longue – long skirt
- une jupe courte – short skirt
- une mini-jupe – mini skirt
- une jupe plissée – pleated skirt
- une jupe trapèze – a-line skirt
- une jupe taille haute – high-waist skirt
👟 Chaussures (Shoes and Boots)
- des chaussures (f) – shoes
- des bottes (f) – boots
- des talons hauts (m) – high heels
- des sandales (f) – sandals
- des tongs (f) – flip flops
- des chaussures habillées (f) – formal shoes
- des chaussures plates (f) – flat shoes
- des baskets (f) – sneakers
- des sabots (m) – clogs
- des talons aiguilles (m) – stilettos
- des chaussons / pantoufles (m/f) – slippers
- des bottines (f) – ankle boots
- des mocassins (m) – loafers
- des chaussures richelieu (f) – brogue shoes
- des ballerines (f) – ballet flats
- des chaussures de sport (f) – athletic shoes
- des espadrilles (f) – espadrilles
- des chaussures oxford (f) – oxford shoes
- des chaussures compensées (f) – platform shoes
- des chaussures de randonnée (f) – hiking boots
- des bottes de pluie (f) – wellington boots
- des bottes de cow-boy (f) – cowboy boots
- des bottes de neige (f) – snow boots
🧢 Chapeaux (Hats)
- un chapeau – hat
- une casquette – cap
- un béret – beret
- une cagoule – balaclava
- un bonnet – winter hat / beanie
- un chapeau de cow-boy – cowboy hat
- un fedora – fedora
- un chapeau cloche – cloche hat
- un képi – kepi hat
- un chapeau melon – bowler hat
👜 Accessoires (Accessories & Related Terms)
- un maillot de bain – bathing suit
- une écharpe – scarf
- un châle – shawl
- un foulard – foulard / light scarf
- des gants (m) – gloves
- un uniforme scolaire – school uniform
- un uniforme – uniform
- un bikini – bikini
- une combinaison – overall / jumpsuit
- une combinaison de ski – ski suit
- une combinaison de plongée – wetsuit
- des bijoux (m) – jewelry
- des accessoires (m) – accessories
- un sac à main – purse / handbag
- des vêtements (m) – apparel
- un tablier – apron
- des bretelles (f) – straps / suspenders
- une ceinture – belt
- un nœud papillon – bow tie
- une cravate – tie
- des boutons de manchette (m) – cufflinks
- un pyjama – pajama
- un survêtement – tracksuit
- un peignoir – bathrobe
- un tailleur – woman’s suit
- un costard – man’s suit
- des lacets de chaussures (m) – shoelaces
- un short de bain – swimming trunks
- une taille – size
🔤 Les verbes liés aux vêtements (Clothing-Related Verbs)
S’habiller – to get dressed – /sabije/
Se déshabiller – to get undressed – /sə desabije/
Se rhabiller – to get dressed again
Essayer – to try on – /ɛs(e)e/
Porter – to wear – /pɔɾte/
S’habiller – to attire / dress oneself – /sabije/
Aller à – to fit, be the right size for (clothes, shoes)
Chausser – to put shoes on (someone); to fit (shoes)
Enfiler – to throw on (clothes) – /ɑ̃file/
Faire la lessive – to do the laundry
Laver – to wash – /lave/
Étendre (le linge) – to hang up (clothes) – /etɑ̃dɾə (lə lɛ̃ʒɛ)/
Plier – to fold – /plje/
Repasser – to iron – /ɾəpase/
Coudre – to sew – /kudɾə/
Boucler – to buckle – /buckle/
Boutonner – to button – /butɔne/
Attacher – to fasten – /ataʃe/
Détacher – to unfasten – /detaʃe/
Fermer la fermeture éclair – to zip – /fɛɾme la fɛɾmətyɾ eklɛɾ/
Ouvrir la fermeture éclair – to unzip – /uvɾiɾ la fɛɾmətyɾ eklɛɾ/
Enlever – to take off – /ɑ̃ləve/
🗣️ Useful Sentences in Context
🛍️ When trying clothes in a store.
Vous avez ce jean en taille 40 ?
👉 Do you have these jeans in size 40?
Où sont les cabines d’essayage ?
👉 Where are the fitting rooms?
Here is size guide.
👏 When complimenting someone on their apparel
J’adore ta robe !
👉 I love your dress!
Où as-tu acheté ta chemise ?
👉 Where did you get your shirt?
🤔 When asking a friend for their opinion on your outfit
Que penses-tu de ma tenue ?
👉 What do you think of my outfit?
Tu aimes ce pantalon ?
👉 Do you like these pants?
🧾 When inquiring about the dress code for an event or job
Que dois-je mettre ?
👉 What should I wear?
Quel est le code vestimentaire ?
👉 What’s the dress code?
🧾 Dress Codes in French
Although dress codes in France are less common than in the U.S., here’s a quick guide to help you avoid any fashion faux-pas. Quelle classe ! ✨
👔 Tenue formelle – Formal wear
Used for weddings, galas, or prestigious events. Think: suits, ties, evening gowns.
👗 Tenue de soirée – Evening attire
Elegant but not necessarily black tie. Often used for cocktail parties or dinners.
🕴️ Tenue de ville – Smart casual / city attire
Polished and elegant, suitable for work meetings or more refined outings.
🧍♂️ Tenue correcte exigée – Proper attire required
A common sign at clubs, restaurants, or certain venues—no flip-flops or shorts!
🧢 Tenue décontractée – Casual wear
Comfortable clothing—jeans, t-shirts, sneakers. Ideal for informal settings.
🛋️ Tenue d’intérieur – Loungewear / Home wear
What you’d wear at home: comfy pants, sweaters, slippers.
💬 Idiomatic Expressions Related to Clothing
Tirer son chapeau
👉 Literal: To pull one’s hat
👉 Meaning: To congratulate someone, to show respect
Avoir le moral dans les chaussettes
👉 Literal: To have the mood in one’s socks
👉 Meaning: To feel really down / to be depressed
Être à côté de ses pompes
👉 Literal: To be on the side of one’s shoes
👉 Meaning: To be out of it, to be absent-minded or confused
Retourner sa veste
👉 Literal: To flip one’s jacket
👉 Meaning: To change sides, especially in politics; to be an opportunist
Se serrer la ceinture
👉 Literal: To tighten one’s belt
👉 Meaning: To cut back on spending; to make financial sacrifices
L’habit ne fait pas le moine
👉 Literal: The outfit doesn’t make the monk
👉 Meaning: Appearances can be misleading / Don’t judge a book by its cover
Aller comme un gant
👉 Literal: To fit like a glove
👉 Meaning: To fit perfectly
Prendre des gants
👉 Literal: To take gloves
👉 Meaning: To act delicately or carefully, especially to avoid offending
Lâcher les baskets
👉 Literal: To let go of the sneakers
👉 Meaning: To leave someone alone, to stop bothering them
Gros bonnet
👉 Literal: Big winter hat
👉 Meaning: A big shot, an important person
Lécher les bottes
👉 Literal: To lick the boots
👉 Meaning: To suck up, to flatter someone excessively
Tailler un costard
👉 Literal: To tailor a suit
👉 Meaning: To harshly criticize or talk behind someone’s back
Se faire remonter les bretelles
👉 Literal: To get one’s straps pulled up
👉 Meaning: To get scolded, to get in trouble
🧢 Clichés When It Comes to Clothing in French
🎭 Cliché #1 : Tout le monde porte une marinière, un béret et un foulard rouge
Everyone wears a striped shirt, a beret, and a red scarf.
➡️ Even though it’s a cliché, a lot of French people do love white and blue stripes — the classic marinière style.
➡️ The beret comes in and out of fashion, but you’ll still spot them here and there.
➡️ And it’s true: scarves and foulards are a big part of French style — when the weather allows!
📌 Check out this article to learn more about French fashion clichés!
💅 Cliché #2 : Les Français sont toujours élégants et stylés
French people are always elegant and in-style.
➡️ In large cities, yes — you’ll see a lot of well-dressed people. But that’s also true for cities like London or Stockholm.
➡️ In reality, French people aren’t overly formal. As long as you’re dressed correctly and respectfully, you’ll fit right in.
➡️ Fun fact: Québécois (French Canadians) tend to be more relaxed with clothing — and in general too!
🎥 Calling all fashionistas: Check out this video to discover the essentials of French-style wardrobe!
Beyond vocabulary, explore how these terms come to life in our guide to French women and their fashion legacy.
🧵 Final Words
French clothing vocabulary isn’t just about naming garments — it opens the door to everyday conversations, cultural understanding, and even fashion appreciation. From trying on outfits in a Parisian boutique to decoding idiomatic expressions with flair, you now have the tools to navigate the French-speaking world with confidence (and style!).
Whether you’re dressing for a formal soirée, folding your pantalon de yoga, or just enjoying a good fashion idiom, remember: language and culture are always woven together. So keep learning, keep observing — and don’t worry if your beret is a bit crooked. C’est chic, non ?
Ready to take your French to the next level?
➡️ Revisit this guide with your own wardrobe in mind
➡️ Practice the phrases out loud or with a friend
➡️ Watch a French fashion video or explore local boutiques
And most of all — have fun while you learn! 🇫🇷👗
After learning basic clothing terms, discover the world of fashion in French to talk about style and trends.