Fashion and clothing trends are becoming increasingly popular in people's lives. In IELTS tests, the topics of fashion and clothes are often used, encompassing a range of subtopics. Therefore, it’s essential to have a good grasp of vocabulary about fashion, including clothes terminologies. You’ll frequently use these words and terms in conversations about style, accessories, and clothing trends.
To improve your confidence and score higher on the IELTS test, use this set of fashion vocabulary to impress the examiners!
1. Overview of the topic on fashion and clothes
If the topic of fashion arises in your IELTS Speaking Part 3 or IELTS Writing Task 2, you'll need to discuss or write about it, focusing on different subtopics while presenting arguments.
When it comes to the topic of fashion, you'll explore various aspects, such as
Your favourite types of clothes
Styles of clothing you don’t like.
Places to buy clothes
Some famous brands of clothing
Wearing uniforms at school or work
2. Summary of clothes vocabulary in English
To quickly grasp the meaning of English clothing vocabulary, refer to each collaboration and the following examples for effective memorisation.
2.1. English vocabulary about casual clothes
Vocabulary | Example |
|---|---|
Women’s clothes | Women's or girls’ clothes. |
Casual clothes | She usually wears casual clothes. |
Summer clothes | Hanna bought a lot of summer clothes. |
Winter clothes | Kathy wears winter clothes because it’s cold. |
Sports clothes | Wearing nylon sportswear all day makes him stink. |
Baby clothes | They wear baby clothes. |
Children’s clothes | Mary is sewing children’s clothes. |
Men’s clothes | This shop is selling men’s clothes. |
Formal clothes | Don't wear formal clothes at a get-together. |
Custom clothes | She has a passion for and obsession with custom-made clothes. |
Uniform | He took his uniform off and put the T-shirt on. |
2.2. English vocabulary of women’s clothes
Vocabulary | Phonetics | Example |
|---|---|---|
Miniskirt | /ˈmɪn.i.skɝːt/ | It was the era of the miniskirt. |
Dress | /dres/ | I wore my best dress at the event. |
Blouse | /blaʊs/ | This skirt and this blouse match well. |
Pinafore dress | /ˈpɪn.ə.fɔːr/ /dres/ | She wears a maid's cap and a pinafore dress with a bright smile. |
Slacks | /slæks/ | The dress code for the event is a button-down and slacks. |
Pleated skirt | /pliːt/ /skɝːt/ | Hanna wears a lovely pleated skirt. |
Cardigan | /ˈkɑːr.dɪ.ɡən/ | Then, invest in a long cardigan and studded belt to layer up further and complete the look. |
Leggings | /ˈleɡ.ɪŋz/ | She looks more casual with leggings, a mid-hip shirt and knee-high boots. |
Babydoll | /ˌbeɪbi ˈdɑːl/ | She made wearing a babydoll dress with combat boots look cool for a time. |
2.3. Men’s clothes vocabulary in English
Vocabulary | Phonetics | Example |
|---|---|---|
Tie | /taɪ/ | Peter did not know how to wear a tie. |
Tailcoat | /ˈteɪl.koʊt/ | The waiter's tailcoat was stained with red wine. |
Trunks | /trʌŋks/ | The dean was wearing trunks and a Hawaiian shirt. |
Training suit | /ˈtreɪ.nɪŋ/ /suːt/ | John changed his training suit to go to the gym. |
Leather jacket | /ˈleð.ɚ/ /ˈdʒæk.ɪt/ | Series 7 was a regular leather jacket |
Boxer shorts | /ˈbɑːk.sɚ ˌʃɔːrts/ | A pair of loose-fitting cotton boxer shorts is a smart choice for any occasion. |
Sweatpants/Jogger pants | /ˈswet.pænts/ /dʒɑːɡ pænts/ | They wear jogger pants and cool sports shoes. |
T-shirt | /ˈtiː.ʃɝːt/ | Katie wore simple jeans and a T-shirt. |
Three-piece suit | /ˌθriː.piːs ˈsuːt/ | Despite the heat, he still dressed in a dark three-piece suit. |
Polo shirt | /ˈpoʊ.loʊ ˌʃɝːt/ | The shop displays expensive hoodies and overpriced polo shirts. |
2.4. Underwear vocabulary in English
Vocabulary | Phonetics | Example |
|---|---|---|
Underwear | /ˈʌn.dɚ.wer/ | She stripped down to her underwear. |
Stockings | /ˈstɑː.kɪŋ/ | Wear support stockings, which you can buy at most drugstores. |
Undershirt | /ˈʌn.dɚ.ʃɝːt/ | The A-shirt is a classic undershirt |
Underpants/ Panties | /ˈʌn.dɚ.pænts/ /ˈpæn.t̬iz/ | I wore a pair of white underpants |
Lingerie | /ˌlɑːn.ʒəˈreɪ/ | She detailed the lingerie and skirt with lace and embroidery. |
3. Vocabulary about fashion
Vocabulary | Phonetics | Example |
|---|---|---|
Old-fashioned | /ˌoʊldˈfæʃ.ənd/ | He was a good man, just old-fashioned, a man from another age. |
Timeless | /ˈtaɪm.ləs/ | Timeless design doesn’t belong to any particular period. |
Well-dressed | /ˌwel ˈdrest/ | She was cheerful, bubbly, and invariably well-dressed. |
Smart casual | /ˌsmɑːrt ˈkæʒ.uː.əl/ | The dress code is smart casual. |
Trendy | /ˈtren.di/ | I like going out and buying trendy clothes. |
Sophisticated | /səˈfɪs.tə.keɪ.t̬ɪd/ | In the U.S., we are subtle but sophisticated. |
Glamorous | /ˈɡlæm.ə.əs/ | But the whole point is I wanted the devil to be glamorous. |
Vintage clothes | /ˈvɪn.t̬ɪdʒ kloʊðz/ | She loves buying vintage clothing. |
Vocabulary | Phonetics | Example |
|---|---|---|
Hipster | /ˈhɪp.stɚ/ | I was wearing a pair of red hipster jeans and a red halter top. |
Brand loyalty | /ˈbrænd ˌlɔɪ.əl.t̬i/ | Each company has a captive customer base with built-in brand loyalty. |
Must-have | /ˈmʌst.hæv/ | The must-have blouse of the season |
Avant-garde | /ˌæv.ɑ̃ːˈɡɑːrd/ | The designer's avant-garde collection stunned the fashion world. |
Haute couture | /ˌoʊt kuːˈtʊr/ | The fashion show showcased the latest haute couture designs. |
Bespoke | /bɪˈspoʊk/ | At that point, you may as well consider ordering a bespoke suit. |
Opulent | /ˈɑː.pjə.lənt/ | He was among the most incredible, potent, and opulent earthly monarchs. |
Iconic | /aɪˈkɑː.nɪk/ | The little black dress is an iconic fashion piece. |
Cutting-edge | /ˌkʌt̬.ɪŋ ˈedʒ/ | At the cutting-edge end of fashion, the boundaries are constantly pushed to shock. |
4. Some expressions and topics on fashion & clothing
Phrases |
|---|
Keep up with /Catch the latest fashion |
Take pride in one’s appearance |
Have an eye for fashion |
Clothes that are timeless |
Make a real bargain with somebody |
A summer-ready look |
To look good in |
To mix and match |
Fashion forward |
Invest in quality clothing |
Make a fashion statement |
Set a trend |
H3 Idioms with topic on fashion & clothing
When learning idioms related to the topic of animals for IELTS tests, you should remember that many English idioms are animal-related. You can use them or not to speak about transportation.
Learn about some idioms you can utilise to talk about the topic of fashion and clothes in your IELTS tests:
Idiom |
|---|
Dress to kill |
In vogue |
Old hat |
Dressing up like a dog's dinner |
Wear the pants |
Hand-me-downs |
Getting high score on IELTS tests when reviewing with IDP!
The provided text above offers a comprehensive vocabulary, standard responses, and helpful idioms concerning clothes. Make notes and practise regularly to memorise the clothes vocabulary for the IELTS exam.
Benefit from IDP's extensive experience in assisting candidates with IELTS test preparation. IDP supports you with free access to valuable training resources, including written materials and videos featuring international experts' test-taking tips to upscale your skills.
In addition, you can register for a trial test experience at the IDP IELTS test centre. Engage in an IELTS workshop directly guided by IDP experts to gain insights into common mistakes to avoid and explore numerous sample questions and answers through expert-guided videos.
Register for the IDP IELTS test here!
Read more: