IELTS Fashion Vocabulary 2024

List of Idioms & Phrases To Describe Fashion

You can improve your speaking test performance by using idioms or phrases. The ones listed below can be used for Fashion Vocabulary IELTS:

• Bells and whistles: Enticing extra features.
• Dress down: Wear formal or super casual clothing.
• Extravagant: Spending too much money or surpassing the limits of reason or necessity. 
• To be a fashion slave: Someone who feels compelled to wear the current trends.
• Hand-me-downs: Clothing passed down from older siblings to the younger ones. 
• Dressed to kill: Dressing in a way that attracts admirers.
• To dress in classic style: To dress in a simple, timeless way that is stylish.
• To mix and match: To try different or new styles or pieces of clothes that are not a part of a pre-made outfit.

Fashion Vocabulary Basics

In your IELTS speaking test, you could be asked to share your thoughts and opinions on clothing and style. These trendy words related to fashion and the associated ideas represented below can serve as the building blocks of your fashion words. Being familiar with these terms can improve your vocabulary, ensuring you deliver your thoughts confidently.

1. Clothing Terminology

• Clothing: This term covers all types of clothing, from casual to unique clothing. You can use the word "clothing" to describe your outfit. Moreover, when referring to a person's clothing or attire, the term "clothing" is a more accurate term for discussing personal preferences.

Example 1: "My wardrobe contains varied clothes, including clothes for daily activities and special occasions."

Example: 2 "Choosing the right clothes for a business meeting is important in showcasing professionalism."

• Dress: This word is a neat definition of dress, referring to the difference that makes a dress beautiful.

Example 1: "As I was organizing my closet, I realized that each outfit was very meaningful and reminded me of many moments in my life." The word "all" comes into play when thinking about something. It shows the right combination of different clothes.

Example 2: "She created a stunning outfit for the wedding by combining a flowy dress with complementary accessories."

1. Accessories

Accessories are the final touches and elements like jewellery, hats, scarves, and handbags, among others that transform the ordinary outfit into the extraordinary. This is a flexible term used to describe accessories that enhance the overall look.

Example 1: "Accessories play an important role in expressing personal style, and well-chosen accessories can easily transform an outfit."

Accessorising is often understood as making a "statement". Meaning, a dramatic and eye-catching feature that attracts attention and becomes the focal point of an outfit.

Example 2: "For the same look, a statement piece like a scarf can add a pop of colour. A touch of elegance without going overboard."

1. Fabrics and Materials

Understanding various aspects of fabrics and materials is crucial to sharing interests, discussing clothing, and making informed design choices.

• Denim: Denim is the durable cotton material most associated with jeans. It is perfect for casual and semi-formal parties.

Example: "Denim is the fabric of choice for looks and comfort, perfect for shopping or hanging out with friends."

• Silk: Silk is a rich, soft fabric known for its shine and smoothness. It is the choice of fabric often chosen for special occasions like festivals, weddings, or celebratory dinners.

Example: "The silk blouse adds an elegant touch to your outfit, making it suitable for a good dinner party."

• Velvet: Velvet is a soft, fluffy fabric with a smooth surface, adored in the cold season for its rich appeal.

Example: "The velvet dress not only reveals beauty but also provides warmth on a cold night."

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Fashion Words

As time evolves, new words and ideas emerge to reflect the spirit of being fashionable. In this section, we will review key concepts in the fashion industry to help you expand your vocabulary and understand the changing perspectives and approaches to fashion. 

1. Modern Fashion Concepts

• Athleisure: Football is a mix of "sport" and "entertainment" and has become a trend in recent years. The combination of sports and casual wear refers to suitable clothes for training and daily activities. The rise of football changed the way of dressing, with jeans, sportswear and shoes easily carried from the gym to the street.

Example: "As a testament to the popularity of sports, supermarkets have introduced sportswear with a combination of performance and sample."

• Sustainable Fashion: As people's knowledge of environmental concerns grows, sustainable fashion becomes more essential. This word refers to clothing choices that are environmentally conscious, ethical, and produced using sustainable methods. It aims to decrease businesses' environmental effects and encourages customers to make informed clothing purchases.

By illustration: "Consumers are now connecting their values with their fashion choices, choosing brands that support ethics, from raw materials to coating to standard production."

• Capsule Wardrobe: The Capsule Wardrobe concept is already gaining popularity, particularly among those seeking a more minimalist and ecological approach to fashion. A wardrobe is a collection of necessities; it contains several items of clothes that can be combined and matched to create a range of looks. This strategy promotes simplicity and a preference for quality over quantity.

Like the one above: "By using wardrobe hats, people can not only simplify their outfits but also promote a healthy lifestyle and a long career in fashion choice."

1. Define Style

As fashion evolves, nuanced phrases to characterise various trends become more significant. Let's look at terms that eloquently express the essence of diverse styles.

• Bohemian Style: Also known as "bohemian," this style embodies a free-spirited, unique approach to fashion. Art and nomadic concepts inspire it, with natural materials, flowing forms, and quirky accessories.

Example: "Her boho-chic outfits, adorned with floral prints, layered textures, and an array of beaded accessories, exude a charming blend of whimsy and artistic expression."

• Minimalism: Unlike the lively and varied bohemian style, minimalist fashion promotes simplicity and clean lines. Minimalist clothing often includes neutral hues, basic patterns, and an emphasis on the necessities. This design appeals to individuals who value timelessness and subtle elegance.

Example: "Minimalist style transcends fashion preferences and influences a lifestyle that values simplicity and functionality."

• Avant-Garde: Avant-garde fashion pushes the limits of conventional design while encouraging experimentation and creativity. This style defies traditionality, often using unusual materials, stunning forms, and futuristic designs. Avant-garde design is a concept that enables individuals to examine and reimagine their understanding of fashion.

Example: "Avant-garde fashion show surprises the audience with designs that present clothes that blur the line between fashion and art."

Sample Questions & Answers on Fashion Vocabulary IELTS Speaking

The IELTS speaking section is divided into two parts. Part 1 is a question-and-answer round, while Part 2 consists of cue cards. Both these sections assess your vocabulary, grammar, coherence, and thought structure.

• Part 1

If fashion is the topic, you can expect to be asked the following questions in Part 1 of the IELTS speaking section:

1. What kind of clothes do you prefer to wear?

Ans. Normally, I like to wear simple, comfortable, and casual wear, like pants and an oversized T-shirt or shirt. I'm not very fashionable, but I do dress up for special occasions. Then, my style can include dresses or traditional outfits, paired with different accessories. 

1. What do people in your country wear to work? 

Ans. In my country, people who work in the corporate world typically dress in business/formal or smart casual attire. Some employees, like teachers, are required to wear uniforms. Other employees are allowed to wear casual clothing.

1. What kinds of clothes do you despise wearing?

Ans. The trending fashion related to wearing ripped clothes is one kind of clothing that I despise wearing. Moreover, I avoid wearing colours that catch the eye, like bright yellows.

• Part 2

Cue cards are prompts that you need to elaborate upon concisely within 2 minutes. In your "Describe someone you know who dresses well" IELTS cue card, you should include these points in your answers.

• Who the person is.
• How do you know him/her/them?
• What kind of clothes does he/she/they wear?
• Why do you like the way he/she/they dress?

Sample Answer

Allow me to introduce you to a friend of mine who always looks fantastic. Her name is Ayesha, and I have known her since high school. She teaches in the Humanities department at one of the most prominent universities in my country. She lives close to me, so we see each other frequently. We also hang out with friends, particularly on the weekends. For someone who is out of touch with the current fashion trends, she ensures to dress for the occasion and the season, quite elegantly. Although I have seen her in casual attire, it doesn't seem dull or basic when she wears it. She has a penchant for chic accessories. Her footwear consistently complements her attire. Since I rarely see her in the same dress again, I assume she has a sizable closet full of elegant clothing, shoes, and purses. Her lack of flashy or obnoxious clothing is one of the things that draws me to her style. She always conducts herself respectfully and professionally.

Follow Up Questions and Answers

Once you are done speaking on the cue card, you will be asked follow-up questions such as these:

1. What is the difference between the clothes you wear now and the ones you wore 10 years ago?

Ans. Consequently, I can state that my current wardrobe is fairly comparable to what I wore about 10 years ago. I still wear regular pants and a shirt for work-related occasions and leisure days. But I think my basic wardrobe has changed along with the fashion trend, especially in terms of the kinds of shirts and trousers I wear. I used to favour slim-fitting jeans, but these days I'm more into baggy bottoms and tops.

Q: How important are clothes and fashion to you?

Ans. When it comes to apparel, I like a practical style. I prefer to dress comfortably yet look presentable and tidy. If the ongoing fashion trends support that, then great. If not, I still prefer to stick to my sense of fashion and comfort.

1. What do you think our clothes convey about us?

Ans. I feel that the clothes we wear can disclose aspects of our personalities or attitudes. Clothing may be a way of expression for some, allowing them to channel their creativity. However, for others, it might be a form of showcasing their beliefs regarding tradition and culture.

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Conclusion

The IELTS speaking section has become a means whose content vividly reflects the candidate's style, social change, and environmental awareness. Whether it's understanding the basics of dressing, researching current trends or integrating fashion trends into IELTS modules, knowing the aforementioned words and Q&A can be a good tool for self-expression and communication.

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