Describe clothes you wear on special occasions: IELTS Speaking Part 2 & 3 Sample Answers

This article contains sample answers for the cue card topic – Describe clothes you wear on special occasions as well as Part 3 questions related to the topic – clothes.

In the Part 2 of the IELTS Speaking section, the most common question type is the cue card. The provided prompts will help you to formulate a response and speak on the given topic. You will have exactly one minute to prepare and speak on a specific topic.

In this cue card, you have an opportunity to share on clothes you wear on special occasions. Also, the sample answers given below will guide you to learn how to communicate clearly and successfully.

Check out the video below to learn about common grammatical errors that candidates make during IELTS Speaking and ways to avoid them!

Describe clothes you wear on special occasions.

Sample Answer 1

(What they are) 

Most of the time, I prefer to dress in comfortable clothes and feel at ease.  For the majority of special occasions, therefore, I like to wear smart but casual trousers, white blouses and sometimes a jacket. From time to time, when the social event I attend requires a higher level of formality, suits, and formal shoes would be indispensable items for my overall appearance.

(Where you buy them) 

Well, most of my casual clothes, even the smart ones, come from markets and common fashion brands, like Zara or H&M, because they are relatively affordable. However, I do set higher standards for my formal clothes, especially in terms of the materials. Therefore, I occasionally buy some quality white blouses from a first-class fashion brand. I have sometimes bought clothes online for special occasions, but I prefer to try them on and see the quality myself.  I have to admit that I also like the wide range of choice in the shops.

(Why you wear them) 

I prefer the combination of a blouse and formal trousers to wearing a dress or trying to keep up with the latest fashions, for several reasons, one of which is probably my character. Despite being a girl, I am more into comfortable clothes and find wearing dresses or skirts fairly uncomfortable. Besides, a white blouse is suitable for people of any age or gender and almost all occasions. Normally, formal clothes would make you look more mature, but a combination of a white blouse with trousers gives you a smart yet youthful look.

(And what people think about them) 

All of my family members like to see me wearing formal clothes, as the outfit adds a few years to my natural features. For others, I think this look is perfectly suitable because it shows my politeness and respect for the events I attend. However, I think that my friends prefer to see me in elegant, feminine dresses, as a girl in a white blouse may not impress others.

I prefer to dismiss these traditional ideas. Provided that I dress smartly for special occasions, I like to choose clothes to please myself, rather than wear the clothes that others would choose if they were me.

Sample Answer 2

India is a nation of customs and traditions. Therefore, the clothes we wear on special occasions are unique and different from the rest of the world. Mostly, if it is a traditional function, such as a wedding, pooja or a festival, we prefer wearing Indian attires, like suits and saris for females and kurta pyjama or three-piece suit for men.

Such traditional clothes can be purchased from anywhere. While there are massive showrooms in huge cities, in small towns and villages, one can find smaller shops or people selling clothes on the roadside. If needed, one can also shop branded traditional clothes from malls. I prefer shopping in small shops as they have an extensive range of options and are not too expensive either.

One of the reasons behind wearing such clothes is that it’s our Indian tradition and everybody, across the country, wears it. Moreover, I like such clothes more than western dresses.

Almost everybody has a positive perspective toward Indian dresses. However, the ones who are always on the verge of experimenting, try and bring a fusion with these clothes. Hence, don’t be shocked if you see people wearing Indo-western clothing as that’s in trend as well.

Vocabulary:

Here are the vocabularies for “Describe clothes you wear on special occasions ” with examples:

• to dismiss traditional ideas:

Meaning:  to decide that traditional ideas are not important and not worth considering anymore.

Eg:  We should not dismiss traditional ideas without considering them carefully.

• at ease [expression]:  relaxed and comfortable

Eg: From the moment that I entered the friendly atmosphere of the classroom, I felt completely at ease.

• from time to time [expression]: sometimes, but not regularly

Eg: Huy still thinks of his ex-girlfriend from time to time.

• indispensable [adjective]: something or someone that is indispensable is so good or important that you could not manage without it, him, or her:

 Eg: This book is an indispensable resource for researchers.

• brand [noun]: the name of a product produced or sold by a particular company

Eg: It was to become the leading brand of specialty coffee in North America.

• affordable [adjective]: not expensive

Eg: The shop in town always sells nice clothes at affordable prices.

• set (high/low) standards for sth [expression]: set a level of quality that people expect and generally accept as normal

Eg: Banks in Hong Kong and China are setting higher standards for customer service in call centres.

• keep up with the latest fashions [expression]: dress in the latest fashion

Eg: Jessica always keeps up with the latest fashions, which never disappoints her fans.

• suitable [adjective]: appropriate and fitting the occasion

Eg: This hotel has a large play area, so it is suitable for families with young children.

• youthful [adjective]: having the qualities that are typical of young people: tươi trẻ, trẻ trung

Eg: At the time I admired his youthful enthusiasm.

Part 3 Questions:

1 What factors do you think affect the clothes we choose to wear?

(Give a direct answer to the question) Well, I think circumstances and personal preferences largely decide our choices of clothes. (Explain your reason or reasons) On the one hand, you will dress either in formal or casual style, depending on the event you attend. Simultaneously, one’s sense of fashion or character also plays a huge role in the choices of outfits. (Give an example – often a personal example) For example, on occasions that require formality, I prefer white shirts and trousers to elegant dresses, as this style is smart and suits me the most.

2 Is it possible to look good without spending lots of money on clothes?

(Give a direct answer to the question) Yes, possible (Explain your reason or reasons) 

It is not extravagant items but rather a person’s sense of fashion that makes him or her truly attractive. (Give an example – often a personal example) From my experience, I have a lot of peers who know how to mix and match different clothing items that go well together. Surprisingly, many of their clothes are even secondhand or real bargains from cheap markets. (Explain the opposite or alternative) However, quality clothes do help improve one’s overall appearance, so they are certainly worth the money.

3 Do fashion shows have an impact on what we are wearing?

(Give a direct answer to the question) Yes, to certain individuals, especially to dedicated followers of fashion. (Explain your reason or reasons) Fashion shows never fail to introduce and promote the latest trends, from which people can learn and follow to look more trendy. (Give an example – often a personal example) Although I enjoy watching the latest fashion shows, clothes from these shows do not become my everyday wear, and they are more often than not too costly.

4 Do you think have fashion trends are constantly changing?

(Give a direct answer to the question) Yes, undoubtedly. (Explain your reason or reasons) The fashion industry is ever-changing because of a few external factors, including seasonal change and the influence of trendsetters, such as fashion designers and celebrities. Practically, a trend, by definition, doesn’t last. (Give an example – often a personal example) If you follow this industry carefully, you will understand it’s not only changing, sometimes old fashion trends also, e.g., crop top, boot-cut jeans, white eyeliner. (Explain the opposite or alternative) However, some kinds of clothes are always favoured, such as jeans or T-shirts. These classics are elegant staples and styles that rarely change and look good no matter what other “trends” are going on.

5 Are people’s ideas about fashion today the same as people’s ideas at previous times?

(Give a direct answer to the question) Probably no. (Explain your reason or reasons) In comparison, fashion is regarded more highly these days than it once was, and the definition of trends has also changed considerably. (Give an example – often a personal example). Ask your mother and your grandmother; their concept of fashion will certainly contrast with each other and that of your own, which shows that ideas about fashion vary from generation to generation.

Vocabulary:

• preference [noun]: the fact that you like something or someone more than another thing or person.

Eg: Her preference is for comfortable rather than stylish clothes.

• fashion sense [noun]: the characteristic of having good judgment of fashion.

Eg: Kath’s fashion sense is always highly regarded.

• extravagant [adjective]: extreme and unreasonable.

Eg: The product does not live up to the extravagant claims of the advertisers.

• to mix and match [expression]: to combine in a harmonious or interesting way, as articles of clothing in an ensemble.

Eg: Gary likes to mix and match clothes for different events.

• bargain [noun]: something on sale at a lower price than its true value.

Eg: This coat was half-price – a real bargain.

• to promote [verb]: to encourage people to like, buy, use, do, or support something.

Eg: Advertising companies are always having to think up new ways to promote products.

• more often than not [expression]: most of the time.

Eg: More often than not, a student will come up with the right answer.

• ever-changing [adjective]: constantly changing or developing.

Eg: The key to success is adapting to the ever-changing conditions.

• trendsetter [noun]: a person, organization, etc. that starts new fashions, especially in clothes.

Eg: They are not only the biggest fast food chain, but also the industry’s trendsetter.

• staple [noun]: a company or industry that manufactures and sells important products and services that people eat or use regularly.

Eg: So-called safe areas in the stock market continue to be consumer staples and drug companies.

• immaculately [adverb]:  extremely neatly and tidily; perfectly.

Eg:  The new manager arrived, dressed immaculately in a smart, new suit.

• in return [expression]: in exchange.

Eg: Some tenants get rent reductions in return for help managing the building.

• in comparison [expression]: when compared with.

Eg: I thought I was badly treated but my experiences pale in comparison with yours.

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