What does vareuse mean?
Vareuse is a noun for a close-fitting upper garment, especially a woman’s or child’s pullover or blouse with a high collar and long sleeves. The word is chiefly encountered in nineteenth- and early twentieth-century English dress descriptions, where it labels a recognizable style rather than serving as an everyday synonym for sweater. In modern French, vareuse is also the ordinary term for a pullover, particularly a high-necked one. An English speaker encountering the word should therefore recognize it as a specific clothing term and not assume it means any loose top. It is especially useful when reading fashion history, costume inventories, or descriptions of period clothing. Although its unusual spelling and French appearance make it seem obscure, it names a clearly defined style typically associated with a close fit, long sleeves, and a prominent neckline.
nounA close-fitting pullover or blouse, especially one worn by women or children, typically with a high collar and long sleeves. In historical English, it can also refer more broadly to a fitted jacket worn as part of women's dress.
- A close-fitting pullover or blouse, especially one worn by women or children, typically with a high collar and long sleeves.
- In historical dress terminology, a fitted jacket or blouse worn by women.
"She fastened the high collar of her black vareuse before stepping into the winter street."
"She fastened the high collar of her black vareuse before stepping into the winter street."
"The costume notes describe the actress as wearing a buttoned woollen vareuse beneath a long cloak."
The regular plural is rarely needed in modern English because the word is chiefly historical or specialized.
"The museum collection includes several woollen vareuses from the nineteenth century."
A vareuse is remembered less by its name than by its distinctive silhouette: high collar, long sleeves, and a close fit.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Etymology of vareuse
The English word was borrowed from French vareuse, a term for a pullover or similar upper garment. French vareuse is derived from varer, “to vary,” ultimately from Latin variare, “to make various or change.” In English, the borrowing became established chiefly as nineteenth-century fashion and dress terminology.
How vareuse is actually used
In English, the word is chiefly associated with nineteenth- and early twentieth-century fashion description rather than everyday contemporary use. In French, vareuse remains an ordinary term for a pullover, especially one with a high collar.
Easily confused with vareuse
Various is an adjective meaning different or assorted, whereas vareuse is a noun naming a particular type of garment.