French lingerie : using the right word.
lundi 13 octobre 2008 à 10:37 by Aimy
You may know the word lingerie but if you are on a spree in France you’ll need to be a little more precise when searching for underwear…
A bra : un soutien-gorge. 
Briefs : une culotte (unlike the English word, the French use a singular).
A thong : un string (says it all really…!).
Stockings : des bas.
Tights : des collants.
A garter : un porte-jarretelle.
So, on your French lingerie quest at least these few words will avoid you running around Paris naked. But how about adding in a few more to spice up your Français !
French knickers : whereas the English consider these to be French, the French use an English word : shorty (roll that “r” !).
Camisole : And you thought you were using a French word… Caraco is the one actually used in France ! For interests sake, the word camisole means straight jacket so you might think twice about buying one of those for your next date !
Corset : corset.
Bustier : bustier.
Chemise : nuisette. If you ask for a chemise you will be told to go to the clothing store down the street… By using this word for lingerie we have misinterpreted it as it actually means shirt.
Basque : guêpière (if you go asking for a basque you may end up with a man from the South of France !
Babydoll : babydoll (with a sexy French accent !).
If you’re feeling like really going for that language, here are some words you can use to describe what you are looking for when buying French lingerie :
Lace : dentelle.
Silk : soie.
Mesh-like fabric : voile.
Straps : bretelles.
Size : taille.
Soft : doux.
Light : léger.
Sexy : the word like its meaninf is universal, is it not ?!
All set ! Off you trot now, French lingerie is awaiting you all over Paris, mes chéris !
(Crédits photos : La Redoute, Etam, Orcanta)
*AimyRose*
[...] last week's Shoe Shopping Dictionary, here's the Lingerie Shopping Dictionary. It's a French site but they have some pages in English: You may know the word lingerie but [...]