huppé

Huppé is a French adjective describing someone or something associated with wealth, refinement, or fashionable taste. In everyday French, it conveys the sense of being well-off or stylish, often with connotations of exclusivity. The term can apply to people, places, or social milieus, and is frequently used to describe neighborhoods, schools, events, or styles that cater to or reflect the upper class. The feminine form is huppée, and the plural forms are huppés (masculine) and huppées (feminine).

Etymology and historical notes suggest that huppé derives from huppe, meaning crest or tuft, with the sense evolving from adornment or decoration to social status. Over time, the word shifted from a literal description of dress or appearance toward a figurative label for a social stratum characterized by wealth and prestige. In contemporary usage, huppé can carry either neutral or mildly pejorative undertones, depending on context and intent.

Usage in French covers a range of expressions, such as une ville huppée (an upscale town), un homme huppé (a well-off man), or une mode huppée (fashion associated with the affluent). The term is sometimes found in English-language writing as a loanword to convey “upscale” or “well-heeled” without a direct translation, though it remains more common in French contexts.

See also: upscale, haute bourgeoisie, bourgeoisie, gentry.