👉 See also: À la mode — meaning, pronunciation, examples »
Whether you’re shopping in Paris, packing for a trip, or simply expanding your vocabulary, learning the names of clothes in French (les vêtements) is essential. This guide covers a complete list of French clothing vocabulary, from everyday shirts and pants to accessories, fabrics, and useful verbs.
Subscribe to the French Word of the Day!
Complete French clothing vocabulary
👕 Men’s and women’s clothing
- un anorak — anorak
- des chaussettes — socks
- un maillot de bain — bathing suit
- un pull / un pullover — sweater
- un peignoir — bathrobe
- un chandail — sweater
- un cardigan — cardigan
- un sweatshirt — sweatshirt
- un manteau — coat
- un tee-shirt — T-shirt
- des jeans — jeans
- un survêtement — tracksuit
- une salopette — overalls
- un pull à col roulé — turtleneck sweater
- un pardessus — overcoat
- un maillot de corps — undershirt
- un pantalon — pants, trousers
- un pull à col V — V-neck sweater
- un pyjama — pajamas
- un gilet — vest
- un imperméable — raincoat
- une chemise — shirt
- un short — shorts
- un blouson — jacket
👗 Women’s clothing
- un chemisier — blouse
- un tricot — jersey
- un soutien-gorge — bra
- une chemise de nuit — nightdress
- une robe — dress
- un slip — panties
- un peignoir — dressing gown
- une gaine-culotte — panty girdle
- une robe du soir — evening gown
- un collant — pantyhose, tights
- une gaine — girdle
- un jupon — slip
- une jaquette — women’s jacket
- un tailleur — women’s suit
- une jupe — skirt
- une combinaison — slip (undergarment)
- des bas — stockings
👔 Men’s clothing
- un slip — briefs
- un costume / un complet — men’s suit
- un veston — men’s jacket
- un caleçon / un boxer — boxers
- une veste de sport — sports jacket
🧣 Accessories
- un nœud papillon — bow tie
- des bretelles — suspenders
- une casquette — cap
- une cravate — tie
- des gants — gloves
- un parapluie — umbrella
- un sac à main — handbag
- une ceinture — belt
- un mouchoir — handkerchief
- une boucle — buckle
- un foulard — scarf
- un bouton-pression — press stud
- une fermeture-éclair — zipper
🧵 Materials
- le coton — cotton
- le polyester — polyester
- le tissu — fabric
- la soie — silk
- le cuir — leather
- la laine — wool
- le nylon — nylon
🎨 Patterns and style adjectives
- à pois — polka-dotted
- élégant(e) — elegant
- écossais — plaid
- à la mode — in style
- rayé(e) — striped
- vague / non-ajusté — loose
- uni — solid
- petit(e) — small
- beau / bel / belle — beautiful
- serré(e) — tight
- laid(e) — ugly
🔧 Verbs related to clothing
- faire allonger — to lengthen
- mettre — to put on
- faire élargir — to let out
- se rétrécir — to shrink
- raccourcir — to shorten
- enlever — to take off
- reprendre — to take in
- se déshabiller — to undress
- s’habiller — to get dressed
- porter — to wear
Continue Learning French Vocabulary
Clothing words are just one part of everyday French. Keep building your vocabulary with these related lessons:
👉 French Colors Vocabulary
👉 French Food Vocabulary
👉 French Body Parts Vocabulary
👉 French Adjectives Guide
🇫🇷 Looking to build your French vocabulary?
Many students have asked me to recommend a good self-study course. I suggest Camille’s À Moi Paris audio program from French Today — it teaches essential French words and phrases through fun, engaging audio stories, with lessons for every level.
👉 Check out the course »
📖 Read my full review »
If you purchase the courses, I may earn a small commission — at no extra cost to you.
