IELTS Speaking Part 3: Clothes and fashion
1. Can we learn about someone’s personality based on the clothes they wear?
In my opinion, I fervently believe that style is a way to say who you are without having to speak. Therefore, the way people choose their outfits and accessories could partly tell about their characters. If they are meticulous and decent, you may see from the way those individuals pay attention to little details in their outfits such as wrinkles in the collar or small stains at the edge of the shirt. In contrast, regarding those who are careless, their clothes might not be relatively decent and sometimes they might not be well-groomed.
2. What is the difference between clothes that young people and old people like to wear?
From what I’ve seen, it’s safe to say that the fashion style of youngsters is in stark contrast to that of senior people. In terms of the latter, here in Vietnam, the elderly used to experience the war, when our country was torn apart by bombs and bullets and in dire need of support, people literally wore anything that could keep them warm and protect them from the heat. Therefore, the mindset of having enough clothes to wear as a privilege has been rooted in older people’s minds. They generally lean toward simple, plain, and not pricey clothes. Having said that, the younger generation arguably considers clothes to be part of their identity, a way to show their personality. They mostly are keen on trendy, fashionable clothes with fancy bells and whistles.
3. Do you agree that expensive clothes are always better quality than cheap clothes?
In my opinion, I reckon that clothes which are relatively pricey are not necessarily superior in quality to their cheaper counterparts. Because the market is becoming saturated with more and more homogenous products, raising brand awareness is of the essence. Therefore, many luxury brands have allocated a considerable percentage of their budget on promoting their products such as commercial ads or celebrity endorsements. From that point, the price of an expensive shirt might also include the money for other expenses, which leads to a more expensive price.
4. Why do people change the style of their clothes as they grow older?
Although I cannot speak for everyone, I suppose that as we gradually become adults, we must look the part in the workplace, wearing casual clothes at business meetings or formal workplace would be forbidden and inappropriate. In addition, clothes are of paramount importance in adult life, because the outfits you choose are heavily associated with your personality, which is proven to be a way of judging people. Therefore, those are the reasons why adults change their fashion style as they grow up.
5. Are there any traditional clothes that people wear in your country?
I believe that most countries and cultures have their own traditional garments that people still wear on special occasions. And my country is no exception, with “Ao dai” being our national dress. It is considered one of our country’s most striking symbols of beauty. Over hundreds of years, the Ao dai has evolved alongside Vietnam, going from regal to practical, humble to high fashion, and back again. The Vietnamese Ao dai is appreciated by the young and old alike, and its elegant lines flatter both men and women.
6. When do people in your country wear traditional clothes?
Although I can’t speak for everyone, from what I have seen, it’s safe to say that Vietnamese women love wearing áo dài for photoshoots in beautiful settings. Golden Autumn days in Hanoi call for photo sessions around Hoàn Kiếm Lake. During Tết (Lunar New Year) you’ll see the dress in all its glory as women wear it to visit friends and family, and pay tribute at temples and shrines. Additionally, a wedding and engagement ceremony are the perfect time to dress in the national costume. In Vietnam, the bride and groom and the wedding entourage will wear elaborate áo dài at the traditional ceremony, then guests will show up for the reception in simpler but equally colorful designs.
