Vocabulary list

French Clothing Vocabulary: What to Wear and How to Talk About It

Essential French clothing words — tops, bottoms, shoes, accessories — and how to use porter (to wear) and s'habiller (to get dressed).

To say you wear something, use porter: je porte un pull. To talk about getting dressed, use the reflexive s'habiller.

Tops (les hauts)

FrenchEnglishNote
le t-shirtt-shirt
la chemiseshirt (button-down)
le pullsweater, jumperShort for pull-over.
le sweatsweatshirt, hoodie
la vestejacket, blazer
le manteaucoat
le blousoncasual jacket
le costumesuit (men's)
le tailleursuit (women's)

Bottoms (les bas)

FrenchEnglishNote
le pantalontrousers, pantsSingular in French!
le jeanjeansAlso singular.
le shortshorts
la jupeskirt
la robedress

Underwear and basics

FrenchEnglishNote
les sous-vêtements (m)underwear
les chaussettes (f)socks
le collanttights
le pyjamapyjamasSingular.

Shoes (les chaussures)

FrenchEnglish
les chaussures (f)shoes
les baskets (f)sneakers, trainers
les bottes (f)boots
les sandales (f)sandals
les talons (m)heels

Accessories (les accessoires)

FrenchEnglishNote
le chapeauhat
la casquettecap
l'écharpe (f)scarf (winter)
le foulardscarf (decorative)
les gants (m)gloves
la ceinturebelt
le sacbag
le sac à mainhandbag
les lunettes (f)glasses
les lunettes de soleil (f)sunglasses
la montrewatch
le bijoupiece of jewelryPlural: les bijoux.

Tips to memorize this list faster

  • Some clothing words are singular in French but plural in English: le pantalon, le jean, le pyjama.
  • To say 'wearing' use porter: je porte une robe rouge. For getting dressed, use the reflexive s'habiller: je m'habille vite.
  • Color adjectives go AFTER the noun and agree: une chemise blanche, des chaussures noires.

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