A ‣ Dressing for work

Many students, both male and female, would agree that they often look scruffy¹ in their T-shirts and jeans. However, those who go into the world of business have to make a rapid transition and learn about dress codes² in the workplace. Business attire³ needs to project a professional image, and clothing that reveals⁴ too much cleavage⁵ (for women), or your back, your chest or your midriff⁶ is not appropriate, even in a casual business setting. For women, see-through fabrics⁷ should be avoided, and skirts should not be too tight or too short, though nobody wants to look frumpy⁸. For men, trousers should not be too tight, or shirts too open. Women often need a good choice of outfits⁹ and men find a good range of suits¹⁰, ties and casual trousers and jackets invaluable¹¹. Accessories¹², e.g. jewellery, shoes and cufflinks¹³, can also enhance the professional look. Some offices have dress-down days¹⁴, often Fridays, when staff can wear more casual clothes. In other jobs, of course, people are required to wear uniforms, or protective clothing such as overalls¹⁵ and safety helmets¹⁶.

¹ untidy [noun: scruff = person who dresses in an untidy way]
² accepted way of dressing in a particular social group
³ clothing; formal
⁴ shows
⁵ space between a woman’s breasts
⁶ part of the body between the chest and the waist
⁷ materials
⁸ old-fashioned and boring
⁹ set of clothes for a particular occasion
¹⁰ jacket and trousers in the same material
¹¹ extremely useful
¹² extra items added to clothing for useful or decorative purposes
¹³ decorative objects used to fasten the cuffs on men’s shirts
¹⁴ days when people wear less formal clothes
¹⁵ (plural noun) piece of clothing covering all the body, usually worn over other clothing to protect it when working
¹⁶hat to protect the head

B ‣ Words and expressions about clothes

Clothes can be described as revealing¹, skimpy², baggy³, clingy⁴, or chic⁵. Sometimes an invitation to a more formal party will ask people to dress in smart-casual⁶ clothes. To be dolled (up) / dressed up / done up to the nines means to be dressed in a very fashionable or very formal way. Some people choose to buy designer (label) clothes but most people prefer to buy clothes more cheaply on the High Street⁷. People who can afford to sometimes have clothes made-to-measure⁸, but more often people buy their clothes off the peg/rack⁹.

¹ showing a lot of flesh
² short, using little material
³ loose, e.g. a sweater
⁴ close-fitting
⁵ /ʃiːk/ modern, stylish
⁶ clothes that are informal
⁷ from ordinary, much less expensive shops
⁸ made especially for them
⁹ ready-made but clean, tidy and stylish

C ‣ Being in fashion

These jackets are all the rage. [very fashionable]

The woman was dressed in the very latest fashion. [an extremely fashionable way]

Dresses like this are the height of fashion. [very fashionable]

The magazine has up-to-the-minute fashion articles. [dealing with the most recent trends]

The film has set a new trend for the silk top the star wore. [started a new fashion]

A trend-setter is a person whose style is followed by others.

High heels are on trend this year. [fashionable]

Large handbags are this year’s must-have item. [thing that everyone wants]

If a fashion/trend catches on, it becomes popular.

A slave to fashion is someone who is strongly influenced by fashion. [used in a disapproving way]

Your new outfit really suits you. [looks good on you]

D ‣ Clothes in metaphors

to speak off the cuff [without having prepared anything]

to be hand in glove with someone [to have a close working relationship with someone]

to do something on a shoestring [spending as little as possible]

no frills [simple and plain]

to put someone in a straitjacket [restrict someone’s freedom]

to draw a veil over something [not to talk about something]

to have something up your sleeve [to have a secret plan or idea]