Clothing plays an important role in French culture, known for its chic fashion and timeless styles. This vocabulary list will help you talk about clothing, describe outfits, and navigate shopping experiences in France or French-speaking countries. From everyday wear to fashion accessories, this guide has you covered.
1. General Clothing Terms (Les Vêtements)
These are basic terms for common articles of clothing.
- Le pantalon – The trousers / pants
- Le jean – The jeans
- Le short – The shorts
- La jupe – The skirt
- La robe – The dress
- Le t-shirt – The t-shirt
- La chemise – The shirt (button-up)
- Le chemisier – The blouse
- Le pull – The sweater
- Le sweat – The sweatshirt
- La veste – The jacket
- Le manteau – The coat
- Le costume – The suit
- Le tailleur – The women’s suit
- Le gilet – The vest / waistcoat
- Le pyjama – The pyjamas
- Le survêtement – The tracksuit
- Le legging – The leggings
Example Sentence:
- J’adore ton pull bleu. (I love your blue sweater.)
2. Underwear and Sleepwear (Les Sous-vêtements et Vêtements de Nuit)
These are essential terms for undergarments and sleepwear.
- Le slip – The briefs (men)
- Le boxer – The boxer shorts
- Le caleçon – The undershorts / boxers
- La culotte – The panties (women)
- Le soutien-gorge – The bra
- Le maillot de corps – The undershirt
- Le peignoir – The bathrobe
- La chemise de nuit – The nightgown
- Le pyjama – The pyjamas
Example Sentence:
- Elle porte un soutien-gorge en coton. (She’s wearing a cotton bra.)
3. Footwear (Les Chaussures)
Know your shoes! Here’s the vocabulary to talk about different types of footwear.
- Les chaussures (f) – The shoes
- Les bottes (f) – The boots
- Les sandales (f) – The sandals
- Les baskets (f) – The sneakers
- Les talons hauts (m) – The high heels
- Les pantoufles (f) – The slippers
- Les tongs (f) – The flip-flops
- Les mocassins (m) – The loafers
- Les chaussons (m) – The house slippers
- Les chaussettes (f) – The socks
- Les collants (m) – The tights / stockings
Example Sentence:
- J’ai acheté des sandales pour l’été. (I bought sandals for the summer.)
4. Outerwear (Les Vêtements d’Extérieur)
These are clothing items typically worn outdoors or for protection against the weather.
- Le manteau – The coat
- La veste – The jacket
- Le blouson – The bomber jacket
- Le trench – The trench coat
- Le coupe-vent – The windbreaker
- Le parka – The parka
- Le poncho – The poncho
- L’imperméable (m) – The raincoat
Example Sentence:
- J’ai mis mon imperméable parce qu’il pleut. (I put on my raincoat because it’s raining.)
5. Accessories (Les Accessoires)
Learn about the accessories that complete an outfit.
- Le chapeau – The hat
- La casquette – The cap
- Le bonnet – The beanie
- L’écharpe (f) – The scarf
- Les gants (m) – The gloves
- Le sac à main – The handbag
- La ceinture – The belt
- Les lunettes de soleil (f) – The sunglasses
- La montre – The watch
- Le bijou / Les bijoux (m) – The jewellery / jewels
- Le collier – The necklace
- La bague – The ring
- Les boucles d’oreilles (f) – The earrings
Example Sentence:
- Elle porte un collier en or. (She’s wearing a gold necklace.)
6. Fabrics and Materials (Les Tissus et Matériaux)
These terms will help you talk about the type of material clothing is made from.
- Le coton – The cotton
- Le lin – The linen
- Le cuir – The leather
- Le jean – The denim
- Le nylon – The nylon
- Le polyester – The polyester
- La soie – The silk
- La laine – The wool
- Le velours – The velvet
- Le cachemire – The cashmere
- La dentelle – The lace
- Le satin – The satin
Example Sentence:
- Cette robe est en soie. (This dress is made of silk.)
7. Describing Clothing (Décrire les Vêtements)
Use these adjectives to describe what someone is wearing or the style of an outfit.
- À la mode – Fashionable / stylish
- Décontracté(e) – Casual
- Chic – Chic / stylish
- Confortable – Comfortable
- Élégant(e) – Elegant
- Ample – Loose
- Moulant(e) – Tight-fitting
- Rayé(e) – Striped
- À pois – Polka-dotted
- Uni(e) – Solid-colored
- À carreaux – Plaid / checked
Example Sentence:
- Son style est très chic et élégant. (Her style is very chic and elegant.)
8. Clothing-Related Phrases
Here are some useful phrases to talk about clothing in daily conversations.
- Qu’est-ce que tu portes? – What are you wearing?
- J’aime beaucoup ta robe. – I really like your dress.
- Où as-tu acheté ce manteau? – Where did you buy that coat?
- Il me faut un jean confortable. – I need comfortable jeans.
- Ce pull est trop chaud pour l’été. – This sweater is too warm for summer.
- As-tu des chaussures en cuir? – Do you have leather shoes?
9. Shopping for Clothes (Faire du Shopping)
Learn how to ask for sizes, try things on, and more while shopping for clothes.
- Je cherche… – I’m looking for…
- Quelle taille faites-vous? – What size are you?
- Je fais du 38. – I’m a size 38.
- Où sont les cabines d’essayage? – Where are the fitting rooms?
- Puis-je l’essayer? – Can I try it on?
- Ça coûte combien? – How much does it cost?
- C’est trop grand/petit. – It’s too big/small.
- Avez-vous cette chemise en bleu? – Do you have this shirt in blue?
10. Clothing-Related Idiomatic Expressions
French idioms often use clothing to describe situations and emotions.
- Se mettre sur son 31 – To dress up (literally: to put on one’s 31)
- Être tiré à quatre épingles – To be dressed to the nines (literally: to be fastened with four pins)
- Changer d’avis comme de chemise – To change your mind often (literally: to change your opinion like a shirt)
- Être dans de beaux draps – To be in a tricky situation (literally: to be in nice sheets)
Practice Quiz
Test your knowledge with this short quiz:
- What is the French word for “jacket”?
- How do you say “jeans” in French?
- Translate: “She is wearing a red dress.”
- What’s the French term for “shoes”?
- How do you say “Can I try it on?” in French?
Conclusion
With this comprehensive French clothing vocabulary, you’re ready to shop, describe outfits, and discuss fashion like a native speaker. From casual wear to formal attire, these terms will help you navigate the world of French fashion with ease.
