French for the Fitting Room: Discussing Costume Adjustments at Rehearsal
Learn to ask a French-speaking costumier for costume adjustments and describe fit problems clearly, with polite, specific phrases for rehearsal.
By PookieFriends & plans · Yapr Learn
In an amateur rehearsal room, costume fittings often happen quickly, between scenes, with the costumier (le costumier or la costumière) pinning hems while you stand still. To get useful changes, you need two skills: asking whether something can be adjusted, and describing exactly where and how it feels wrong. French uses specific vocabulary for fit: serré (tight), large (loose), les épaules (shoulders), la taille (waist), les manches (sleeves). This lesson gives you polite, concrete phrases to discuss adjustments without sounding vague or demanding. You will practise asking questions with Est-ce qu'on peut..., describing problems with C'est trop..., and checking whether a change is possible before the next run-through.
By the end, you can…
- ask a costumier whether a costume piece can be adjusted.
- describe where a garment is too tight, too loose, or too long.
- ask what is possible before the next rehearsal.
Listen once. Try it slowly. Then say it without looking.
Checking available voices…
Est-ce qu'on peut ajuster le costume ?
Can we adjust the costume?
ess-kuh kon puh ah-zhoo-stay luh kos-toom
A general, polite opening question. Use it when you are not sure which part needs changing yet.
C'est trop serré aux épaules.
It's too tight in the shoulders.
say troh say-ray oh zay-pohl
Point to the shoulders as you say this. Aux épaules means 'at/in the shoulders' and is the natural French phrasing.
Est-ce que vous pouvez reprendre la taille ?
Can you take in the waist?
ess-kuh voo poo-vay ruh-prondr luh tie
Reprendre means to alter or take in a garment. Use it with a specific body area, not for the whole costume.
Les manches sont un peu longues.
The sleeves are a bit long.
lay monsh son tun puh long
Un peu softens the comment. Manches is feminine, so the adjective is longues.
Je peux essayer après la modification ?
Can I try it on after the alteration?
zhuh puh ess-ay-yay ah-pray lah mo-dee-fee-kah-syon
Use this to confirm a second fitting. Modification is the standard noun for an alteration.
Pronunciation guides are approximate. Slow playback keeps the original pitch.
Make it make sense
Useful pattern
The pattern Est-ce qu'on peut + infinitive asks whether an action is possible without naming a person: Est-ce qu'on peut ajuster le costume ? (Can we adjust the costume?) and Est-ce qu'on peut raccourcir la jupe ? (Can we shorten the skirt?). For a more formal tone with the costumier, use Est-ce que vous pouvez + infinitive: Est-ce que vous pouvez reprendre les coutures ? (Can you take in the seams?). Avoid translating 'Can you make it smaller?' literally; French speakers usually name the garment part and the alteration.
When to use it
Use C'est trop + adjective when you describe a fit problem: C'est trop serré à la poitrine (It's too tight in the chest), C'est trop large aux hanches (It's too loose in the hips). Add the body area with à or aux: aux épaules, à la taille, aux manches. If something is only slightly off, say un peu instead of trop: C'est un peu serré au col (It's a bit tight at the collar). This keeps the tone collaborative during a busy rehearsal.
Listen to each line, then take one part and reply out loud.
Bonjour, est-ce qu'on peut ajuster le costume avant la répétition générale ?
Hello, can we adjust the costume before the dress rehearsal?bon-zhoor, ess-kuh kon puh ah-zhoo-stay luh kos-toom ah-van lah ray-pay-tee-syon zhay-nay-ralOui, bien sûr. Qu'est-ce qui ne va pas ?
Yes, of course. What's wrong?wee, byan sewr. kess-kee nuh vah pahC'est trop serré aux épaules et les manches sont un peu longues.
It's too tight in the shoulders and the sleeves are a bit long.say troh say-ray oh zay-pohl ay lay monsh son tun puh longD'accord. Je peux reprendre les épaules, mais pour les manches, il faut essayer après.
All right. I can take in the shoulders, but for the sleeves, we need to try it on afterwards.dah-kor. zhuh puh ruh-prondr lay zay-pohl, may poor lay monsh, eel foh tess-ay-yay ah-prayA little context goes a long way
In French-speaking theatre contexts, politeness often comes from naming the specific problem rather than apologising repeatedly. A direct C'est trop serré aux épaules is not rude; it is useful information. Use vous with a costumier you do not know well, and on with colleagues. In Belgium and Switzerland, costumier and retouche are understood, but local workshops may prefer couturier for the person and retouche for the alteration.
One thing to watch for
Saying 'Je suis trop serré' to mean the costume is too tight.
Try this instead: That means 'I am too tight' or can sound like you are tense. Say C'est trop serré aux épaules or Le costume est trop serré aux épaules. The garment is the subject, not you.
Your turn
Try answering out loud before checking a possible answer.
1How would you ask whether the waist can be taken in?
Show a sample answer
Est-ce que vous pouvez reprendre la taille ?
Reprendre la taille is the natural way to ask for a waist alteration. Est-ce qu'on peut reprendre la taille ? is also correct and slightly more impersonal.
2You need to say the collar is a bit tight. What do you say?
Show a sample answer
C'est un peu serré au col.
Un peu softens the comment, and au col names the collar. C'est un peu serré au niveau du col is also acceptable but longer.
3How do you ask to try the costume on again after the alteration?
Show a sample answer
Je peux essayer après la modification ?
This checks the next step politely. Est-ce que je peux l'essayer après la retouche ? is a valid alternative, especially if the costumier used retouche.
Name the body area and the problem: C'est trop serré aux épaules. Then ask for the alteration with Est-ce qu'on peut ajuster... or Est-ce que vous pouvez reprendre..., and confirm a second fitting.
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