French Clothing, Sizes and Shopping for Clothes

Clothing vocabulary in French, the difference between taille and pointure, how to try things on and ask for sizes, and how the soldes sales work.

Shopping for clothes in France is a chance to practise polite French in a friendly setting, and the vocabulary is easy to learn. There are a few cultural points worth knowing, too.

Clothing vocabulary

les vêtements — clothes
une chemise — shirt
un t-shirt
un pull — jumper, sweater
un pantalon — trousers
un jean
une jupe — skirt
une robe — dress
un manteau — coat
une veste — jacket
un costume — suit (men's)
un tailleur — suit (women's)
des sous-vêtements — underwear
des chaussettes — socks
des chaussures — shoes
des baskets — trainers
des bottes — boots
une écharpe — scarf
une ceinture — belt
un sac — bag

Colours and materials

rouge, bleu, vert, jaune, noir, blanc, gris, rose, marron
en coton — cotton
en laine — wool
en soie — silk
en cuir — leather
en lin — linen

Taille vs pointure

French distinguishes:

la taille — clothing size (and height)
la pointure — shoe size

Quelle taille faites-vous ? — What size are you? Je fais du 40. — I'm a size 40. Quelle est votre pointure ? — What's your shoe size? Je chausse du 42. — I take a size 42 shoe.

French sizes are numerical, and differ from UK and US sizes. For example, a women's French size 38 corresponds roughly to a UK 10 and a US 6, but brands vary, so always try things on. Many shops have conversion charts.

In the shop

Je peux vous aider ? — Can I help you?
Je regarde, merci. — I'm just looking, thanks.
Je cherche une veste. — I'm looking for a jacket.
Avez-vous ceci en... ? — Do you have this in...?
en plus grand / en plus petit — in a bigger / smaller size
dans une autre couleur — in another colour
Je peux l'essayer ? — Can I try it on?
la cabine d'essayage — fitting room
Ça me va bien ? — Does it suit me?
C'est trop serré / trop large / trop court / trop long — too tight / loose / short / long
Ça vous va très bien. — It suits you very well.
Je le prends. — I'll take it.

Prices and payment

C'est combien ?
C'est en solde. — It's on sale.
une promotion — special offer
moins vingt pour cent — 20% off
la caisse — checkout
un ticket de caisse — receipt
une carte de fidélité — loyalty card
Je peux payer par carte ?

Returns

Je voudrais l'échanger. — I'd like to exchange it.
Je voudrais me faire rembourser. — I'd like a refund.
Je l'ai acheté hier. — I bought it yesterday.
Voici le ticket. — Here's the receipt.

Return policies vary by shop, and some only give store credit (un avoir).

Les soldes: the sales

In France, the main sales periods (les soldes) are set by law: two seasons a year, in winter (starting in January) and summer (starting in late June), each lasting several weeks. The exact dates are announced each year. Outside those periods, shops can still offer promotions, but the term soldes is regulated.

Opening hours

Shops in large cities are open six days a week, and many close on Sundays. Some shops close at lunchtime, especially in smaller towns.

Etiquette

Greet the staff (Bonjour) when you enter.
Don't leave items messy in the fitting room.
It's normal to be asked whether you need help; a polite Je regarde, merci is fine.

Compliments

C'est joli. — It's pretty.
Ça vous va bien. — It suits you.
Elle est élégante. — She's elegant.

Practice

Role-play buying a jacket: ask for your size, try it on, ask about colours, and pay.

Look up clothing words with English French Dictionary →