The French are famous for their fashion sense, and if you want to be à la mode, you’ll have to buy some clothes and accessories in France. Some French words translate differently to US or UK English regarding clothing and the sizing is different too. Also, some French terms are singular or plural – often contrary to how we refer to them in English – so beware!
Here are some helpful words and phrases for when you hit the boutiques:
At the store
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un magasin des vêtements (m.) | a clothing store |
| à vendre | for sale |
| les soldes | a sale |
| une braderie (f.) | a clearance sale |
| un dressing (m.) | a dressing room / walk-in wardrobe |
| une mercerie (f.) | a notions/sewing store (US) or a haberdashery (UK) |
| la dernière tendance (f.) | the latest fashion or trend |
| la taille est ... (f.) | the (clothing) size is ... |
| ma pointure de chaussure est… (f.) | my (shoe) size is ... |
Adjectives
| French | English |
|---|---|
| court(e) | short |
| long(ue) | long |
| petit(e) | small |
| grand(e)/large | large |
| chic | chic |
| (pas) confortable | (un)comfortable |
| élégant(e) | elegant |
| moderne | modern |
| sale | dirty |
| neuf(/neuve) | new |
| moche | ugly |
Examples
- “Mon pantalon est trop long” – my pants/trousers are too long
- “La chemise est sale” – the shirt is dirty
Verbs
| French | English |
|---|---|
| Je vais me changer | I’m going to go change |
| enlever | to take off (for example, take off one specific article of clothing) |
| s’habiller | to get dressed |
| se déshabiller | to undress |
| bien aller | to look good on/to suit |
Examples
- “Je m’habille” – I’m getting dressed
- “Est-ce que le chapeau me va bien ?” – does the hat look good on me?
Fabrics/Materials
| French | English |
|---|---|
| le tissu (m.) | the fabric/cloth |
| le coton (m.) | cotton |
| le cuir (m.) | leather |
| la laine (f.) | wool |
| le nylon (m.) | nylon |
Clothing
| French | English |
|---|---|
| des vêtements | clothes or clothing (plural) |
| un vêtement/habit (m.) | a piece of clothing |
| un tee-shirt (m.) | a t-shirt |
| une chemise (f.) | a button-down shirt/collared shirt |
| un pull/gilet (m.) | a sweater/jumper |
| une robe (f.) | a dress |
| une (mini) jupe (f.) | a (mini) skirt |
| un short (m.) | a pair of shorts |
| un débardeur (m.) | a sleeveless vest/t-shirt |
| un pantalon (m.) | a pair of pants/trousers |
| un jean (m.) | jeans/a pair of jeans |
| un jogging (m.) | sweatpants |
| un cardigan (m.) | a cardigan |
| un smoking (m.) | a tuxedo/dinner jacket |
| une cravate (f.) | a necktie |
| un pyjama (m.) | pajamas/pyjamas |
| les manches (f.) | sleeves |
| sans manches | sleeveless |
| une capuche (f.) | a hood |
| un maillot (m.) | a sports top/vest |
Footwear
| French | English |
|---|---|
| les chaussures (f.) | shoes |
| les baskets (f.) | sneakers/trainers |
| les sandales (f.) | sandals |
| les talons (m.) | high-heels |
| les ballerines (f.) | flat shoes |
| les bottes (f.) | boots |
| les tongs (f.) | flip flops |
| les chaussures compensées (f.) | wedge heel shoes |
| les chaussons (m.) | slippers |
Footwear Sizing
| US men | US women | UK/AU | FR/EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0.5 | 2 | 0 | 32 |
| 1 | 2.5 | 0.5 | 32.5 |
| 1.5 | 3 | 1 | 33 |
| 2 | 3.5 | 1.5 | 33.5 |
| 2.5 | 4 | 2 | 34 |
| 3 | 4.5 | 2.5 | 34.5 |
| 3.5 | 5 | 3 | 35 |
| 4 | 5.5 | 3.5 | 35.5 |
| 4.5 | 6 | 4 | 36.5 |
| 5 | 6.5 | 4.5 | 37 |
| 5.5 | 7 | 5 | 37.5 |
| 6 | 7.5 | 5.5 | 38 |
| 6.5 | 8 | 6 | 39 |
| 7 | 8.5 | 6.5 | 39.5 |
| 7.5 | 9 | 7 | 40 |
| 8 | 9.5 | 7.5 | 40.5 |
| 8.5 | 10 | 8 | 41 |
| 9 | 10.5 | 8.5 | 41.5 |
| 9.5 | 11 | 9 | 42.5 |
| 10 | 11.5 | 9.5 | 43.5 |
| 10.5 | 12 | 10 | 44 |
| 11 | 12.5 | 10.5 | 44.5 |
| 11.5 | 13 | 11 | 45.5 |
| 12 | 13.5 | 11.5 | 46 |
| 12.5 | 14 | 12 | 46.5 |
| 13 | 14.5 | 12.5 | 47 |
| 13.5 | 15 | 13 | 47.5 |
| 14 | 15.5 | 13.5 | 48.5 |
| 14.5 | 16 | 14 | 49 |
| 15 | 16.5 | 14.5 | 49.5 |
| 15.5 | 17 | 15 | 50 |
Outerwear
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un manteau (m.) | an overcoat |
| un blouson (m.) | a jacket/windbreaker (outwear sort of jacket) |
| une veste (f.) | a vest/blazer |
| une veste d’hiver (f.) | a winter jacket |
| une veste polaire (f.) | a fleece jacket |
| un imper(méable) (m.) | a raincoat/trenchcoat |
| un gilet (m.) | a waistcoat |
Underwear
| French | English |
|---|---|
| des sous-vêtements (m.) | underwear |
| les chaussettes (f.) | socks |
| un slip (m.) | briefs |
| un caleçon (m.) | boxers (single pair) |
| une culotte (f.) | panties (single pair) |
| des culottes (f.) | panties/knickers (multiple pairs) |
| un soutien-gorge (m.) | a bra |
| un collant (m.) | tighs/pantyhose |
Bra sizing
| US/UK | FR | AU | EU |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 75 | 6 | 60 |
| 30 | 80 | 8 | 65 |
| 32 | 85 | 10 | 70 |
| 34 | 90 | 12 | 75 |
| 36 | 95 | 14 | 80 |
| 38 | 100 | 16 | 85 |
| 40 | 105 | 20 | 95 |
| 42 | 110 | 20 | 95 |
| 44 | 115 | 22 | 100 |
Accessories
| Standard Size | S | M | L | XL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US | 2 | 4 | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 |
| UK | 6 | 8 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 16 | 18 | 20 |
| FR/EU | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 |
Jewelry
| Plus Sizes (US) | 14W | 16W | 18W | 20W | 22W | 24W | 26W |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK | 18 | 20 | 22 | 24 | 26 | 28 | 30 |
| FR/EU | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 |
Swimwear
| US/UK (inches) | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR/EU | 81 | 86 | 91 | 97 | 102 | 107 |
*note that longer swim shorts are not usually permitted swimwear in public swimming pools!
General Sizing
Women
| General | S | M | L | XL | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| US/UK/AU | 32 | 34 | 36 | 38 | 40 | 42 | 44 | 46 |
| FR/EU | 42 | 44 | 46 | 48 | 50 | 52 | 54 | 56 |
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un chapeau (m.) | a hat |
| des gants (m.) | gloves |
| un bonnet (m.) | a beanie/winter hat |
| une écharpe (f.) | a scarf |
| une ceinture (f.) | a belt |
| un sac à mains (m.) | a handbag |
Men (jackets)
| French | English |
|---|---|
| des bijoux (m.) | jewelry |
| une montre (f.) | a watch |
| un bracelet (m.) | a bracelet |
| un collier (m.) | a necklace |
| des boucles d'oreilles (f.) | earrings |
Men (trousers)
| French | English |
|---|---|
| un maillot de bain (m.) | a swimsuit/bathing suit |
| un maillot de bain deux-pièces (m.) | a two-piece bikini |
| un bikini (m.) | a bikini |
| un peignoir de bain (m.) | a bath robe |
| un slip de bain (m.) | swimming briefs/speedos |
| un short de bain (m.) | loose swimming trunks/bermuda shorts* |
We hope this article covers enough information and phrases for you to make the most of those gorgeous French boutiques, especially during les soldes!
Dennelle is the President of Renestance and a bilingual American who’s lived in France since 2000. She loves so many things about France, its language, culture, geography, quality of life... that she started a business to help others realize their dreams of living in this incredible place.
All articles by: Dennelle Taylor Nizoux
