Walking into a French boutique can feel exciting—but also a bit intimidating. Today, you’ll learn everyday French words for clothes, colors, sizes, and the exact phrases to try things on, ask for another size, and pay politely. We’ll practice right away with short exercises, so you can shop like a local.

Essential clothes words (with gender)

Here are common items you’ll see in stores. Remember: un (masculine), une (feminine), des (plural).

• un pantalon (pants)
• une chemise (button-up shirt)
• un t-shirt
• une robe (dress)
• une jupe (skirt)
• un pull (sweater)
• un manteau (coat)
• une veste (jacket)
• des chaussures (shoes)
• des baskets (sneakers)
• des bottes (boots)
• des chaussettes (socks)
• une ceinture (belt)
• un chapeau (hat)
• une casquette (cap)
• des gants (gloves)
• un foulard (scarf)

In the shop:

• la taille (clothing size), la pointure (shoe size)
• la cabine d’essayage (fitting room)
• le vendeur / la vendeuse (shop assistant)
• la caisse (checkout), le ticket de caisse (receipt)

Colors and agreement

Colors usually agree with the noun: feminine often adds -e, plural adds -s.

• bleu (m), bleue (f); vert/verte; noir/noire; gris/grise
• Some are invariable in gender: orange, marron, rose (rose changes only in plural)

Examples:

• une jupe bleue
• des chaussures noires
• un pull orange (no feminine change)

une jupe bleu → une jupe bleue Feminine adds -e for most color adjectives.

Je voudrais la chemise en coton.

Must-know shopping phrases

Use these to sound polite and clear:

• Bonjour, je cherche… (Hello, I’m looking for…)
• Quelle taille faites-vous ? (What size are you?)
• Vous l’avez en M / en 40 ? (Do you have it in size M / in 40?)
• Je peux l’essayer ? / Puis-je l’essayer ? (Can I try it on?)
• Où est la cabine d’essayage ? (Where is the fitting room?)
• Ça me va ? (Does it suit me?)
• C’est trop grand/petit/serré/large/long/court. (It’s too big/small/tight/loose/long/short.)
• Avez-vous une autre couleur ? (Do you have another color?)
• Combien ça coûte ? / C’est combien ? (How much is it?)
• Je le/la prends. (I’ll take it.)
• Je peux payer par carte ? / en espèces ? (Can I pay by card? / in cash?)

“This/that” in French: ce, cet, cette, ces

French uses demonstratives to point to items:

• ce + masculine starting with consonant: ce pantalon
• cet + masculine starting with vowel or silent h: cet imperméable
• cette + feminine: cette robe
• ces + plural: ces chaussures

Use them like “this/that/these/those.” Context (and pointing!) gives the exact sense.

Verbs you’ll use in stores

• essayer (to try on)
• acheter (to buy)
• porter (to wear)
• coûter (to cost)
• payer (to pay)

Let’s focus on “essayer” in the present (A2-friendly):

• j’essaie, tu essaies, il/elle essaie
• nous essayons, vous essayez, ils/elles essaient

Note: The spelling changes from y → i in some forms.

Nous cette veste.

J’ ces chaussures.

Direct object pronouns: le / la

When you’ve decided, you can say:

• Je le prends. (I’ll take it — masculine item like un pantalon)
• Je la prends. (I’ll take it — feminine item like une robe)

You use le/la to replace the noun you already mentioned.

Je prends ça, le. → Je le prends. Place the pronoun before the verb. Use le/la to replace the item.

Cultural notes: shopping in France

• Always greet: Say “Bonjour” when you enter, and “Au revoir” when you leave. Politeness matters.
• Sizes: Clothing sizes are EU numbers (36, 38, 40…) or letters (S, M, L). “Je fais du 40.” means “I’m size 40.” Shoe sizes are “pointure”: “Je fais du 38.”
• Sales: “Les soldes” happen twice a year (winter and summer), with big discounts. “En promo” also means on sale.
• Cards: Many shops accept “carte bancaire (CB)”. You can ask: “Je peux payer par carte ?”
• Returns: Check the policy: “Vous faites les retours ?” or “Je peux échanger ?” Some small boutiques may offer exchanges rather than refunds.

Quick practice: describe and decide

Try combining color + item + phrase.

• Je cherche un pull noir en M.
• Cette veste est trop serrée.
• Ces bottes sont trop chères, mais ces baskets sont en soldes.
• Ce manteau me va bien. Je le prends !

Keep practicing with real items around you. Imagine you’re in a shop and speak the steps: greet, ask your size, try on, react (“Ça me va”), and pay.

Wrap-up

You learned the core clothes vocabulary, color agreement, demonstratives (ce/cet/cette/ces), and shopper-friendly phrases. With a polite “Bonjour,” a clear “Je peux l’essayer ?,” and a confident “Je le/la prends,” you’re ready to shop in French. Bonne chance et bonnes soldes !