haute
Lofty, in Paris
Haute is French for "high" and appears in English almost exclusively in borrowed phrases.
Haute couture is high fashion—custom-fitted clothing from elite designers.
Haute cuisine is refined, elaborate cooking.
The word signals sophistication, exclusivity, and often pretension: The restaurant's haute ambitions don't match its strip-mall location.
Tasteful, current flair
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- refinedPurified or cultured
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
- polishedSmooth, refined, accomplished
tasteful · glamorous · stylish · cosmopolitan · urbane · fashionable · cultured · graceful
Paved path for planes
- designerOne who plans appearances
- atelierCreative professional's workspace
- collectionGathered set of items
- silhouetteFilled-in outline shape
draping · embellishments · textiles · sartorial · tailoring · catwalk · seamstress · prêt-à-porter
chic
Tasteful, current flair
- elegantGracefully refined, tasteful
- refinedPurified or cultured
- sophisticatedWorldly and cultured
polished · tasteful · glamorous · stylish · cosmopolitan · urbane · fashionable · cultured · graceful · luxe
runway
Paved path for planes
- designerOne who plans appearances
- atelierCreative professional's workspace
- collectionGathered set of items
silhouette · draping · embellishments · textiles · sartorial · tailoring · catwalk · seamstress · prêt-à-porter · dressmaker
gastronomy
Science of fine dining
- chefProfessional kitchen leader
- degustationCareful tasting of foods
- amuse-boucheComplimentary chef's tasting bite
sommelier · truffle · caviar · sous-vide · plating · Michelin · brigade · saucier · reduction · consommé
aristocracy
Rule by hereditary elite
- nobilityTitled ruling class
- eliteSuperior select group
- upper-classSocially and economically privileged
blueblood · peerage · gentry · grandee · debutante · socialite · patrician · pedigree · lineage · cotillion
- haute cuisineElevated culinary artistry
- haute coutureCustom luxury dressmaking
- haute écoleAdvanced classical dressage