Je prépare ma valise pour les vacances

What does “un haut” mean in French clothing?

Haut means “high,” but un haut is also a piece of clothing: a top, anything you wear on your upper body. Mes hauts préférés are “my favourite tops.” It’s the handy catch-all when t-shirt, chemise or chemisier is too specific. Its partner is le bas, the bottom half, as in le bas de pyjama.

You’ll see it in shops and fashion copy: un haut à bretelles (a strappy top), un haut court (a crop top). Careful with un bas: on its own it usually means a stocking, so for trousers or skirts French says the item’s name, or le bas only in a pair like le haut et le bas. The packing list in the clip carries on with des shorts, des robes, un pantalon léger and mes maillots de bain.