CLOTHING, FASHION

Clothes have always been important for people. In ancient times they protected people
against cold, frost or rain. Later with the development of society clothes became an important sign
of people’s social status. They became more comfortable, they were made from finer materials and
their design or cut became important, too.
Clothing depends on different factors: climate, the weather, occasion or money.
In spring when the weather is often rainy and not very warm, we usually wear trousers,
jeans, leggings, jumpers, sweaters, cotton shirts, sweatshirts and jackets. We put on shoes or trainers
on our feet. The weather is very changeable, especially in April, so we can’t forget to take an
umbrella.
In summer it is usually very hot and sunny. We all prefer light and airy materials, such as
cotton and silk. Men often wear loose trousers or shorts, short-sleeved or sleeveless shirts and T-
shirts. Women put on light summer dresses, loose blouses, skirts, shorts or loose trousers with T-
shirts. They put on sandals or flip-flops on their feet. When they go swimming, they wear swimsuit
or bikini and men wear trunks. It is good to wear sunglasses to protect our eyes from the sun.
In autumn it gradually gets cold so we have to choose something warmer. We often wear
trousers, jeans, leggings, jumpers, sweaters, cotton shirts, sweatshirts and jackets. We put on shoes
or trainers on our feet. It often rains in autumn, so we should not forget an umbrella.
In winter the temperatures are often below zero, so we need to wear warm clothes. In
winter, warmer materials, such as cotton, wool and nylon are preferred. We usually choose trousers,
jeans, long-sleeved shirts, sweaters, jumpers, pullovers or polo neck sweaters. Then we put on
winter coats, fur coats or anoraks. On our feet we put on boots. To keep our hands warm we wear
gloves or mittens. Finally we put on scarves on our neck and caps or hats on our head.
Not only clothes but also accessories are very fashionable in every season, such as coloured
handbags, watches, glasses, gloves, belts, scarves, hats or jewellery: necklaces, bracelets, earrings,
chains, brooches and rings.
Not only climate but also different occasions influence our choice of clothes. People dress
differently for various occasions.
At home we like to feel comfortable, so we prefer leisure clothes like old jeans, tracksuit,
sweatshirts, T-shirts and slippers. When we want to sleep we put on pyjamas.
When students go to school, they put on practical and casual clothes such as jeans, trousers,
leggings, shirts, T-shirts, sweatshirts, jumpers, shoes or trainers.
For sports we usually wear sports clothes, tracksuit, T-shirts and trainers. When we want to
go to the mountains, we should wear a waterproof jacket or we should take a raincoat.
For various types of manual work we usually put on an apron or overalls. In some jobs
people have to wear uniforms. They are usually worn by the police, the armed forces or doctors.
Also some students in Britain have to wear school uniforms. The main reason for wearing them is to
hide social and financial differences among children.
On special occasions we have to be dressed properly. Formal situations, such as public
parties, balls and banquets, require formal, smart clothes. Men wear suits, shirts, ties or bow-ties
and sometimes even dinner jacket. Women wear long or short evening dresses, cocktail dresses or
suits and high-heeled shoes. From accessories they choose handbags, scarves, jewellery, gold or
silver necklaces, bracelets, chains, earrings, brooches and rings.
The way we dress also depends on our taste. We should choose suitable clothes for different
occasions. Besides that we should know what accessories complement the dress and what colours
match our hair and eyes. Another important part of our image is hair. There is great freedom in
hairstyles and colours. Many people, especially women, have their hair dyed at the hairdresser’s.
Clothes are made of different materials: leather, fur, cotton, wool, nylon, silk and many others.
To enjoy our clothes as long as possible we should take care of them. All clothes require
special care if we want to wear them for a longer period of time. We should follow the washing and
ironing instructions on the clothes labels. Some clothes can be washed in a washing machine, others
must be washed only by hand in order not to damage them. If they are washed in a washing
machine on a high temperature, they can shrink or become larger. Greasy stains can be washed out
with stain removers. The worst happens when coloured clothes are washed together with white
ones. After washing, we hang them on the washing line to dry and finally we iron them. Some
clothes require dry cleaning. From time to time we have to get our clothes cleaned at the cleaner’s.
We usually get evening dresses, costumes, suits, jackets or winter coats cleaned. Some people go to
a local laundrette and have them washed and ironed there.
Nowadays, people prefer ready-made clothes instead of making them or having them made
by tailors and dressmakers. Some people buy ready-made clothes in boutiques, clothes shops,
markets or second-hand shops. Some people prefer made-to-measure clothes. When we want
made-to-measure clothes, first we have to buy cloth. Then we visit a tailor or dressmaker. He asks
us what we want to get sewn. If we don’t know exactly, he can give us advice. He takes our
measures and he can start working. It takes a few days to sew them. Then we can come and try them
on. If everything is all right, we have to pay for them and then we can enjoy our new clothes.
Fashion is the way of dressing that is popular at a certain time. Fashion changes very fast
and sometimes it is quite difficult to say what is still trendy and what is already out of fashion.
People can follow new fashion trends in fashion magazines. Fashion is created by professionals
called fashion designers. They invent new styles, patterns and look for new, interesting
combinations. New models are presented at fashion shows and inspire many fashion-lovers. Besides
styles, materials and designs, length and width of clothes are the main indicators of changes in
fashion. Long skirts have been alternating with short ones, wide trousers with narrow ones. The
good thing about fashion is that we can always expect some comebacks. What is old-fashioned
today, may look trendy in a few years. However, fashion never repeats in the same way, there are
always some changes.
Fashion has become a big business nowadays. Fashion designers are world-famous
personalities who earn a lot of money. The most popular are Calvin Klein, Karl Lagerfeld, Vivien
Westwood, Kenzo or Donatella Versace. Their fashion shows have become important social events.
Their designs are presented in the mass media all over the world. However, they are very expensive
and not very practical.
People have different attitudes to fashion. It is said that “Fine feathers make fine birds” or
“Clothes make the man“. Clothes reveal people’s origin, religion and financial situation. They
indicate their status in society. Fashion is also a form of self-expression, especially for young
people. They can show their mood, interests, attitudes and status in society through styles, colours,
patterns, materials and accessories. Others feel the need to copy their role model by imitating
his/her appearance. The young often experiment with different combinations of colours and designs
to show their freedom, beliefs and feelings. The most popular type of clothes among young people
are jeans. Different styles and cuts have been worn by generation after generation. Nowadays, many
young people wear tattoos or piercing as their talisman. They wear piercing on ears, eyebrows,
nose, or lips.
Some people care a lot about themselves. Some people, especially women, are very choosy,
they are willing to spend a lot of money on brand name clothes. They want to be dressed according
to the latest fashion. They often buy clothes at boutiques, clothes shops or they follow fashion
magazines. On the other hand, some people are not interested in fashion at all, they don’t care what
they wear. They wear clothes according to their own taste and their own style. They prefer
comfortable clothes in which they feel good and it doesn’t matter if they are in fashion. They would
never pay a lot of money for clothes which would last only one season. Finally, there are people
who want to be in, but cannot afford to buy expensive and brand name clothes. Therefore, they buy
imitations or cheaper clothes in markets or in second-hand shops. Sometimes, it is worth waiting for
good sales which are often after Christmas and in summer. Some people have excellent taste in
dress, others are slovenly in dress. Some people want to be original, others try to imitate other
people or celebrities.
 QUESTIONS

1. Why are clothes important to people?

2. What is important in choosing one’s clothes?
3. What kind of clothes and accessories do people usually wear in different weather and climate
conditions?
4. What type of clothing is appropriate to wear:
- at home - during sports events
- at school - during celebrations or special occasions
5. When is it important to follow dress code?
6. Talk about the possible ways of getting clothes. Mention the possibilities in your town.
7. Why do people go to tailors and dressmakers?
8. What should we do to take care of clothes? Where can old clothes you do not need any longer end
up?
9. How would you characterize ‘fashion’? What does fashion reflect?
10. Talk about positives and negatives of being a model.
11. What kind of clothes, accessories, materials, patterns and colours are fashionable now? What are the
latest trends in clothing among the young?
12. Make comparison of people’s attitudes to fashion in the past and at present. Which of them applies to
you? Do fashions repeat themselves after a certain number of years?
13. What are your favourite clothes / favourite item of clothing? What do you like about it/them? Which
clothes would you never put on?
14. What type of clothing do you feel most comfortable in? What type of shoes do you like to wear?
15. Are there certain colours that suit you better than others? What colours do you dislike?
16. Are you a fashion-conscious person? What are some of the strangest fashions you have ever seen?
17. What do you think of unisex fashions?
18. Are you a person who likes changing your appearance quite often? Give some pros and cons of such
an attitude to fashion. What influences your choice of clothes?
19. What items of clothing would you consider provocative and eccentric? What do you think of people
who dye hair with unconventional colour, such as green or purple? What is your view of body
piercing and tattoos?
20. It is said that “Fine feathers make fine birds” or “Clothes make the man”. Explain the statements and
express your opinion.

ROLEPLAYS / SIMULATIONS

Your Thai friend is coming to stay in Slovakia for one year. He/she has asked you to give him/her some
advice on clothes. What would you recommend that he/she brings for each of the Slovak seasons? What
would you recommend from a fashion viewpoint? What casual outfits and clothes for special occasions
would you suggest?

Your mother got free theatre tickets and she wants you to wear a long dark dress and high-heeled shoes / a
black suit and a stylish shoes. You do not want to go because you prefer jeans and think they are good for
every occasion.

You have recently bought a new pair of jeans which you think look very good on you. However, your friend
is not keen on them because your jeans cost a fortune and look as if they have been worn many times and are
too tight for you. What would you do? Would you wear your new jeans or would you go back to the shop to
exchange them for a different style? Has anything similar ever happened to you? How did you react?
 PICTURES

1 Describe the people’s outfits and accessories. On what occasions do people wear these garments?
2 What do you think of people who like changing their appearance quite often? Give some pros and
cons of such an attitude to fashion. What influences your choice of clothes?
3 Express your opinion on modern trends in fashion. How important are brand-name products for you?
4 Talk about the impact of modern technology on the quality of clothing. Think about various areas of
life.