Fashion is a powerful form of self-expression. 👠👒👜 Our clothing choices can reveal much about us, from our preferences for colours and patterns to the personas we adopt.
Fashion has a strong influence in today’s world. If you’re preparing for IELTS, be ready to encounter topics related to Fashion in the Speaking and Writing sections. You may be required to compose an essay on this subject or discuss it during your cue card or long turn.
A must-do while preparing for this subject is to read up on the latest trends and major events that have taken place in the world of fashion. Another crucial step in preparation is to learn Fashion Vocabulary.
Mastering fashion vocabulary is not just about memorising words, it’s about enhancing your ability to express your thoughts and opinions effectively. Here are some fashion vocabulary words that can help you do just that!
Fashion Vocabulary: Words You Must Know!
Below is a list of simple words you can use in conversation or essay. Learn these words, and try to use them in your everyday life to memorise them.
| Word | Definition | Example Sentence |
| Aesthetic | Concerned with beauty or the appreciation of beauty. | The designer’s aesthetic is modern and minimalist. |
| Apparel | Clothing. | The store offers a wide range of apparel for men and women. |
| Bespoke | Made for a particular customer or user. | He always wears bespoke suits made by his favourite tailor. |
| Bohemian | Socially unconventional in an artistic way. | Her bohemian style is evident in her eclectic and colourful wardrobe. |
| Boutique | A small shop selling fashionable clothes or accessories. | She opened a boutique in the downtown area. |
| Chic | Elegantly and stylishly fashionable. | She looked chic in her black dress and pearl necklace. |
| Couture | The design and manufacture of fashionable clothes to a client’s specific requirements. | She loves high fashion and always keeps up with the latest couture trends. |
| Dapper | Neat and trim in dress and appearance. | He always looks dapper in his tailored suits. |
| Eclectic | Deriving ideas, style, or taste from a broad and diverse range of sources. | Her eclectic wardrobe includes pieces from various cultures and eras. |
| Embellishment | A decorative detail or feature is added to something to make it more attractive. | The dress had beautiful embellishments along the neckline. |
| Ensemble | A group of items is viewed as a whole rather than individually. | She wore a matching ensemble for the evening event. |
| Fabric | Cloth is produced by weaving or knitting textile fibres. | The dress was made from a luxurious silk fabric. |
| Flamboyant | Tending to attract attention because of their exuberance, confidence, and stylishness. | His flamboyant fashion sense made him stand out in any crowd. |
| Footwear | Outer coverings for the feet, such as shoes or boots. | The store offers a wide range of footwear options. |
| Glamorous | Having an attractive or exciting quality. | She looked glamorous in her sequined gown. |
| Haute couture | Expensive, fashionable clothes produced by leading fashion houses. | She attended the haute couture fashion show in Paris. |
| Hemline | The edge of the garment, especially at the bottom. | She adjusted the hemline of her skirt to make it shorter. |
| Iconic | Widely recognised and well-established. | The little black dress is an iconic piece in fashion history. |
| Knitwear | Clothing made of knitted fabric. | She prefers to wear cozy knitwear during the winter. |
| Lingerie | Women’s underwear and nightclothes. | She bought elegant lingerie for her honeymoon. |
| Minimalist | A person who favours a design that is very simple and uses the smallest range of colours and materials. | Her minimalist wardrobe consists of neutral colours and clean lines. |
| Monochrome | Consisting of one colour or shades of one colour. | She opted for a monochrome outfit in all black. |
| Off-the-rack | (of clothing) ready-made and available for purchase. | She bought an off-the-rack dress for the event. |
| On-trend | Currently fashionable. | She always wears the most on-trend outfits. |
| Ornate | Made in an intricate shape or decorated with complex patterns. | The ornate gown was covered in intricate beadwork. |
| Palette | The range of colours used by a particular designer or in a particular collection. | The designer’s new collection features a soft pastel palette. |
| Pattern | A repeated decorative design. | The dress had a floral pattern. |
| Pleat | A fold in cloth is made by doubling the material upon itself and then pressing or stitching it into place. | The skirt was decorated with neat pleats. |
| Ready-to-wear | (of clothes) made for the general market and sold through stores rather than made to order. | The ready-to-wear collection is available in stores now. |
| Retro | Imitative of a style, fashion, or design from the recent past. | She loves wearing retro dresses from the 1950s. |
| Silhouette | The shape or outline of something, especially an item of clothing. | The dress has a flattering silhouette. |
| Sleek | Smooth and glossy, often used to describe fabric or a fashion style. | She wore a sleek, satin dress to the party. |
| Statement piece | A distinctive item that draws attention. | Her necklace was a statement piece that complemented her outfit perfectly. |
| Stitch | A loop of thread or yarn resulting from a single pass or movement of the needle in sewing. | The dress was stitched with great precision. |
| Sustainable | Involving methods that do not completely use up or destroy natural resources. | She prefers to buy sustainable fashion brands. |
| Tailored | (of clothes) smart, fitted, and well-cut. | He wore a tailored suit to the meeting. |
| Textile | A type of cloth or woven fabric. | The textile industry is constantly evolving with new technologies. |
| Timeless | Not affected by the passage of time or changes in fashion. | The classic trench coat is a timeless piece. |
| Trend | A general direction in which something is developing or changing. | She always follows the latest fashion trends. |
| Unisex | Designed to be suitable for both sexes. | The unisex T-shirts are popular among all age groups. |
| Vintage | Denoting something from the past of high quality, especially something representing the best of its kind. | She collects vintage dresses from the 1960s. |
| Wardrobe | A collection of clothes belonging to one person. | She has a versatile wardrobe that includes both casual and formal attire. |
Fashion Vocabulary: Phrases You Must Know!
| Phrase | Definition | Example Sentence |
| Fashion-forward | Ahead of current trends; innovative in style. | Her fashion-forward outfits always turn heads at events. |
| Haute couture | High-end, custom-fitted fashion design. | She wore a stunning haute couture dress to the gala. |
| Off the rack | Ready-made clothing. | He prefers off-the-rack suits for their convenience and affordability. |
| In vogue | Currently fashionable or popular. | These sneakers are really in vogue right now. |
| Fashion faux pas | A mistake in fashion. | Wearing socks with sandals is considered a fashion faux pas. |
| Chic and sophisticated | Stylish and elegant. | Her outfit was chic and sophisticated, perfect for the evening event. |
| On trend | Following the latest fashion trends. | This season, bold colours are definitely on trend. |
| Capsule wardrobe | A small collection of essential clothing items. | A capsule wardrobe makes dressing easier and more efficient. |
| Street style | Fashion inspired by urban street culture. | His street style is influenced by the latest hip-hop trends. |
| Must-have item | An essential piece of clothing or accessory. | A little black dress is a must-have item for every woman’s wardrobe. |
| Dress to impress | To dress in a way that makes a good impression. | She always dresses to impress for her business meetings. |
| Fashion statement | An outfit or item of clothing that expresses one’s style boldly. | Her neon green jacket made a bold fashion statement. |
| Mix and match | Combining different clothing items to create various outfits. | She loves to mix and match her separates to create unique looks. |
| Personal style | An individual’s unique way of dressing. | His personal style is a blend of vintage and modern influences. |
| Runway-ready | Prepared to be shown in a fashion show. | The models were runway-ready in their stunning gowns. |
| Trendsetter | Someone who starts new fashion trends. | She’s known as a trendsetter in the fashion industry. |
| Vintage-inspired | Fashion that is influenced by styles from the past. | Her vintage-inspired dress was the highlight of the party. |
| Wardrobe staple | A basic and essential item of clothing. | Jeans are a wardrobe staple for many people. |
| Fashion icon | A person who is highly influential in fashion. | Audrey Hepburn is considered a timeless fashion icon. |
| Red carpet-ready | Dressed in an outfit suitable for a glamorous event. | She looked red carpet-ready in her elegant gown. |
| Seasonal collection | A set of clothing designed for a specific season. | The designer’s seasonal collection featured bright summer colors. |
| Dress code | A set of rules specifying the required attire. | The party invitation mentioned a formal dress code. |
| Eco-friendly fashion | Clothing that is environmentally sustainable. | She prefers to buy eco-friendly fashion to support the environment. |
| Fashion-forward choice | A decision in clothing that is innovative and trendsetting. | His bold tie was a fashion-forward choice. |
| Ready-to-wear | Clothing that is made in standard sizes and sold in finished condition. | The boutique specializes in ready-to-wear dresses. |
| Fashion capital | A city known for its significant influence on fashion. | Paris is often referred to as the fashion capital of the world. |
| Fashion-conscious | Being aware of and following fashion trends. | She is very fashion-conscious and always knows the latest trends. |
| Timeless elegance | A style that remains elegant and fashionable over time. | The black tuxedo is a symbol of timeless elegance. |
| Statement piece | An eye-catching and unique item of clothing or accessory. | Her oversized hat was a statement piece that drew everyone’s attention. |
| Classic look | A traditional and enduring style of dressing. | The tailored suit gave him a classic look that never goes out of style. |
Fashion Vocabulary: Idioms You Must Know!
| Idiom | Definition | Example Sentence |
| Dressed to the nines | Dressed very elegantly or fashionably. | She arrived at the gala dressed to the nines in a sparkling gown. |
| Fashion victim | Someone unable to identify commonly recognised boundaries of style. | He’s a fashion victim, always wearing the latest trends regardless of how they look. |
| Keep up with the Joneses | To strive to match one’s neighbours in spending and social standing. | She always buys designer clothes to keep up with the Joneses. |
| A slave to fashion | Someone who is excessively influenced by fashion trends. | He’s a slave to fashion, constantly updating his wardrobe. |
| Dressed to kill | Dressed very stylishly to make a strong impression. | She was dressed to kill at the party, catching everyone’s attention. |
| Hand-me-down | Used clothes passed down from someone else. | Most of my childhood clothes were hand-me-downs from my older siblings. |
| Hit the town | To go out and have a good time, often dressed stylishly. | Let’s hit the town tonight and show off our new outfits. |
| Decked out | Dressed in a very fancy or elaborate way. | He was decked out in his finest suit for the wedding. |
| Trendy threads | Stylish and fashionable clothes. | She always wears the latest trendy threads from top designers. |
| Out of fashion | No longer trendy or stylish. | Bell-bottom jeans are out of fashion now. |
| In someone’s shoes | To imagine oneself in someone else’s position or situation. | Try to put yourself in her shoes and understand why she dresses that way. |
| Have a flair for | It is to have a natural talent or ability for something, especially in fashion. | She has a flair for fashion, always knowing what looks good. |
| Old hat | Something that is old-fashioned or out of date. | Wearing ties to work every day seems a bit like an old hat now. |
| Pull off | To succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected. | She can pull off any outfit, no matter how outrageous. |
| Fashion plate | A person who dresses very fashionably. | She’s known as the fashion plate of the office. |
| Hit the catwalk | To model clothes in a fashion show. | The models hit the catwalk in the designer’s latest collection. |
| Have a sense of style | To have an understanding of what looks good and fashionable. | He really has a sense of style when it comes to choosing his outfits. |
| Tailor-made | Made to fit a particular person or purpose. | The suit was tailor-made for him, fitting perfectly. |
| Steal the show | To attract the most attention and praise at an event. | Her stunning dress stole the show at the awards ceremony. |
| Fashion police | People who criticise others’ fashion choices. | The fashion police were quick to judge his unusual outfit. |
IELTS Speaking Topic on Fashion: Vocabulary and Sample Answer
As we mentioned, IELTS often features cue card topics on Fashion. Here is a commonly asked question:
Cue Card: Describe an item of clothing that you recently bought.
You should say:
- What is it?
- When and where did you buy it?
- What does it look like?
- Why did you buy it?
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Sample Answer for IELTS Speaking Cue Card on Fashion
One item of clothing I recently bought is a traditional kurta. I purchased it two weeks ago from a well-known boutique called “FabIndia” in the city centre. The kurta is a beautiful shade of deep maroon, tailored with a modern fit that suits me well. It features intricate embroidery along the neckline and cuffs, adding a touch of elegance to its overall appearance.
The fabric is a soft, breathable cotton, perfect for the hot weather. The kurta has a mandarin collar and is adorned with subtle, traditional patterns. It also has side slits, which is a common design feature in Indian kurtas, allowing for ease of movement and comfort.
I decided to buy this kurta because I had an upcoming family function and wanted to wear something traditional yet stylish. Additionally, I’ve been looking to update my wardrobe with more ethnic wear, and this kurta seemed like a versatile piece that I could wear for various occasions, such as festivals, weddings, or even casual gatherings. It pairs well with churidar and jeans, making it a flexible addition to my collection. Overall, it was a practical and culturally significant purchase, and I’m really happy with it.
IELTS Writing Task 2 Topic on Fashion: Vocabulary and Sample Answer
Fashion is integral to individual lives, influencing personal identity, cultural expression, and social dynamics. Therefore, IELTS frequently features fashion-related topics in its writing task 2. By including questions on fashion, the IELTS assesses how well you can reason, analyse and convey your thoughts on social matters.
Here is a commonly asked IELTS Writing Task 2 Essay on Fashion:
Is Fashion a Significant Part of Society or a Waste of Time? Discuss your Opinion.
Sample Answer for IELTS Writing Task 2 on Fashion
Fashion is an ever-evolving phenomenon that influences people of all ages and backgrounds. While some view it as a vital part of societal expression, others consider it a trivial pursuit. This essay will explore both perspectives and argue that fashion, despite its occasional frivolity, plays a significant role in society.
Firstly, fashion serves as a powerful form of self-expression. Individuals use clothing and accessories to convey their personality, beliefs, and cultural identity. For instance, traditional attire worn during cultural festivals not only highlights an individual’s heritage but also fosters a sense of community. Moreover, fashion can be a source of confidence and empowerment. Wearing an outfit that one feels good in can significantly boost self-esteem and improve one’s mood.
Additionally, the fashion industry is a major economic force, generating employment and contributing to global economies. From designers, manufacturers, marketers, and retailers, countless jobs are linked to this sector. Furthermore, fashion events like New York Fashion Week and Paris Fashion Week attract tourists and media attention, stimulating local economies.
However, critics argue that fashion can be superficial and wasteful. The rapid turnover of trends leads to the phenomenon known as “fast fashion,” which encourages excessive consumption and contributes to environmental degradation. The production and disposal of low-cost clothing have severe ecological impacts, including pollution and waste. Additionally, emphasising outward appearance can foster materialism and diminish the value of inner qualities and accomplishments.
Despite these criticisms, it is essential to recognize that fashion can be meaningful and impactful when approached sustainably. Ethical fashion movements are gaining momentum, promoting environmentally friendly practices and fair labour conditions. These initiatives demonstrate that fashion can be a vehicle for positive change.
In conclusion, fashion is more than just a superficial pursuit; it is a significant part of society that offers avenues for self-expression, economic growth, and cultural identity. While mindful consumption is necessary to mitigate its negative impacts, dismissing fashion as a mere waste of time overlooks its broader social and economic contributions.
Try your hand at these prompts, and if you need help: find more practice tests here. good luck!
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. How can I improve my IELTS vocabulary?
A. To enhance your IELTS vocabulary, engage in activities such as reading newspapers, which will introduce you to a wide range of vocabulary used in real-world contexts. Watching English movies with subtitles can improve your listening skills and familiarise you with colloquial expressions. Additionally, keeping a daily diary to note down new words and phrases can help with continuous learning and retention.
Q. Does the IELTS exam include a vocabulary test?
A. No, the IELTS exam does not include a dedicated vocabulary test. However, possessing a strong and varied vocabulary is essential for performing well across all sections. We recommend exploring our list of IELTS vocabulary words to help enhance your language skills.
Q. Is it necessary to use complex vocabulary to score well in IELTS?
A. No, it is not necessary to use overly complex vocabulary to achieve a high score in IELTS. While a varied vocabulary is beneficial, the focus should be on using words accurately and effectively. Practical communication is more important than the complexity of the vocabulary.
Q. Why are vocabulary words important for the IELTS exam?
A. Vocabulary is crucial for the IELTS exam, contributing up to 25% of the total score. This is particularly important in the Speaking and Writing sections. Therefore, it is essential for candidates to develop a diverse and accurate vocabulary to maximize their chances of success.
Q. Why is learning IELTS vocabulary important?
A. Vocabulary forms the foundation of your language skills, accounting for up to 25% of your total score in the IELTS Writing and Speaking sections. A strong vocabulary is essential for effective communication and writing quality content. It also helps in adapting to an English-speaking environment.
Q. Is a score of 7.5 on the IELTS good?
A. Yes, a score of 7.5 reflects a high level of English proficiency. It demonstrates that the candidate can communicate effectively in both academic and professional contexts. This score is widely recognized by universities worldwide, making it an excellent achievement for those seeking higher education or professional opportunities in English-speaking countries.
Q. What is the best way to remember IELTS vocabulary words?
A. Memorizing vocabulary can lead to confusion and incorrect usage. Instead, use mnemonics as a memory aid. Mnemonics are mental shortcuts that help you remember complex words by creating associations. The more connections you make, the better you will retain the words.
Q. How does vocabulary impact the IELTS exam?
A. A good vocabulary enables you to express ideas clearly and avoid repetition. In Writing, it helps convey complex thoughts effectively. In Speaking, it allows you to speak fluently and confidently. In Listening and Reading, a strong vocabulary aids in understanding audio and written passages more easily.
Q. What are effective ways to expand my IELTS vocabulary?
A. To expand your IELTS vocabulary, try the following:
-Read a variety of genres, such as newspapers, articles, and academic texts, to expose yourself to diverse vocabulary.
-Actively practice using new words in different contexts to grasp their nuances.
-Utilise vocabulary-building tools like word lists and flashcards. Consistent and deliberate practice will significantly enhance your IELTS vocabulary over time.
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