French Maid ensembles, worn by women, are an occasional subject of sexual fetishism. They are a form of ladies' fantasywear that depending on design details can be classified as lingerie.

The name derives from their being worn by stereotypical characters in risque burlesque dramas of the bedroom farce variety.

A wide variety of costumes are manufactured and marketed under the "French maid" description today. These range from comparatively modest dresses extending well down the thigh or above the knees to transparent chiffon nightgowns or outright lingerie ensembles that cover almost nothing. Some costumes are marketed to transvestites.

The classic French Maid costume, however, is a very short and clingy dress (ideally silk satin or closely resembling it) trimmed with shirred white lace. The skirt area of the dress is usually pleated. If panties are worn with it, they are usually white and ruffled, and the dress is sometimes short enough to display them, especially when the woman bends over. Black fishnet stockings and black shoes with high heels usually complete the ensemble, with trim typically including a tiny white apron attached to the dress, sometimes it is even shaped like a heart and white lace fringes on the hems and plunging (revealing) neckline. Common accessories include a frill worn in her hair, or a Tiara, a featherduster, and sometimes white lace cuffs and collar. The cuffs are not attached to the dress, if the dress has sleeves they are short and puffed (shoulderpuffs). A corset may be worn underneath. A layered white Petticoat may be worn under the dress exposed at the bottom. The ensemble is only complete with black high heel shoes.

The costumes are sometimes worn to costume parties and sometimes in BDSM sexual roleplay (whether on brief occasions or as a routine form of servitude to the woman's lover). They enjoy a wide popularity and are available from many sources. Many women engage in fantasy role playing by mimmicking a French accent while pretending to clean house. These women are sometimes referred to as "Babbette" by their male lovers.