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Clothes and Fashion

​Below is the list of commonly used words for Clothes and Fashion. Meaning has been given for each word together with an exemplary usage in a sentence. After you finish going through this list, there is a real IELTS Question to test your vocabulary. A model answer has also been provided for your reference. If you want to skip the vocabulary part and go to the IELTS Speaking Practice Question right away, then click on the button below.

to be on trend: to be very fashionable

casual clothes: not formal

classic style: a simple, traditional style that is always fashionable

designer label: a well-known company that makes (often expensive) clothing

dressed to kill: wearing clothes that attract admirers

to dress for the occasion: to wear clothes suitable for a particular event

fashionable: in fashion

fashion house: a company that sells (usually expensive) new styles in clothes

fashion icon: a person who is famous for their sense of fashion

fashion show: an event where modals show off the latest in fashion designs

to get dressed up: to put on nice clothes, often to go out somewhere special

to go out of fashion: to not be in fashion any more

hand-me-downs: clothes that are passed down from older brothers or sisters to their younger siblings

to have an eye for (fashion): to be a good judge of

to have a sense of style: the ability to wear clothes that look stylish

the height of fashion: very fashionable

to keep up with the latest fashion: to wear the latest fashions

to look good in: to wear something that suits you

to mix and match: to wear different styles or items of clothing that aren’t part of a set outfit

must-have: something that is highly fashionable and therefore in demand

off the peg: clothing that is ready made

old fashioned: not in fashion any more

on the catwalk: the stage that modals walk along to show off the latest fashions

a slave to fashion: someone who always feel the need to wear the latest fashions

smart clothes: the kind of clothes worn for a formal event

to suit someone: to look good on someone

to take pride in one’s appearance: to pay attention to how one looks

timeless: something that doesn’t go out of fashion

vintage clothes: clothes from an earlier period

well-dressed: to be dressed attractively

IELTS Speaking Sample 1 - Clothes and Fasion

Now, try to use these new words you just learnt to answer the following real IELTS Speaking Question. Read the question and speak your answer. You may also record your answer using a mobile phone or any other device. Then compare your answer with the model answers given after each question.

Part 1

I used to … yes … like most young people I was a bit of a slave to fashion and I’d always have to buy that must-have shirt or pair of shoes … I’m not so bothered now though … I wouldn’t feel comfortable wearing something old fashioned but I’m not as bothered as I used to be about what I wear …

I prefer casual clothes actually … I hate getting dressed up for special occasions … personally I think it’s possible to look good in a pair of jeans … but that’s my opinion … I don’t think my wife would call me a fashion icon that’s for sure …

Yes … there are lots in my town … apart from the big chain stores we’ve got a couple of really nice shops that sell vintage clothes … old clothes but in a classic style that never really go out of fashion … I love going there …

Part 2

Describe someone you know who dresses well. You should say

  • who they are
  • how you know them
  • what kind of clothes they wear
  • and say why you like the way they dress.

I’d like to talk about one of my teachers … Miss Evans … she teaches us English in the school I go to … we always look forward to seeing what she’s going to wear when our lessons start … she’s always very well dressed and takes a lot of pride in her appearance … it’s not that she dresses in very smart clothes … she doesn’t come to school dressed to kill or anything like that … but what she wears really suits her … and she has a great sense of style as well … we often ask her where she gets some of her clothes and most of the time they’re just off the peg … and she says she’s not interested in designer labels or anything like that … she doesn’t seem too concerned about keeping up with the latest fashion … she just wears clothes that are timeless… yes … Miss Evans is the person I think looks great in the clothes she wears … 

Part 3

It depends … where we are or where we’re going is a big factor … if you are going out to a club or party you’re going to dress for the occasion … and then there are those who think it’s  important to look like they’re on trend … they’ll want to wear the latest fashions … there are lots of factors really …

I suppose the big fashion houses and fashion shows must have an effect but the clothes you see on the catwalk don’t always reflect what normal people wear … so I suppose it will be things like what singers are wearing in videos or models are wearing in magazines … that kind of thing …

I’m sure it is … yes … I suppose it’s about having an eye for what looks good … knowing how to mix and match different items of clothing that go well together … I think you can pick up great bargains in charity shops … sometimes for youngsters even hand-me-downs can look good …

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