English Vocabulary in Use Pre-intermediate and Intermediate » Unit 22: Fashion and buying clothes

Word List
  • atmosphere
  • changing room
  • clothes
  • designer label
  • dress v
  • dress in
  • fit v
  • go with sth
  • have got sth on
  • I’ll leave it
  • I’ll take it
  • I’m being served
  • I’m looking for …
  • in fashion
  • loose
  • match v
  • reasonable
  • serve v
  • shop v
  • shop assistant
  • size
  • suit v
  • that’s a pity
  • that’s a shame
  • tight
  • try sth on
  • wardrobe
Exercises

22.1 ‣ Are these pairs similar in meaning or different in meaning?

  1. in fashion and fashionable
    • similar
    • different
  2. wardrobe and changing room
    • similar
    • different
  3. I’ll take it and I’ll leave it
    • similar
    • different
  4. match something and go with something
    • similar
    • different
  5. tight and loose
    • similar
    • different
  6. fit someone and suit someone
    • similar
    • different
  7. that’s a shame and that’s a pity
    • similar
    • different

22.2 ‣ Rewrite the sentences starting with the words given. Keep a similar meaning.

  1. I often shop with my mother.
    I often go shopping .
  2. These watches are fashionable.
    These watches are in _____.
  3. Your top matches your skirt.
    Your top goes _____.
  4. I like what I’m wearing.
    I like what I’ve _____.
  5. Those trousers suit you.
    Those trousers look _____.
  6. Are they the right size?
    Do they _____?
  7. I’d like it to be quite loose.
    I don’t want it to be too _____.
  8. She always wears black.
    She always _____ in black.

22.3 ‣ Which words are being defined?

  1. be the right size
  2. not cheap, but not expensive _____
  3. a large cupboard for keeping clothes in _____
  4. popular with people at a particular time _____
  5. the place where you try on clothes in a shop _____
  6. Armani and Calvin Klein are examples of this _____
  7. a person who works in a shop _____
  8. look after customers and help them to buy things _____

22.4 ‣ Complete the dialogues.

SHOP ASSISTANT: Can I help you?
CUSTOMER1: I’m 1 a top. This one’s quite nice. I think I’ll 2_____ it on.
SHOP ASSISTANT: Of course. The 3_____ room is just over there.
SHOP ASSISTANT: Do you need any help?
CUSTOMER2: No, I’m being 4_____, thanks.
SHOP ASSISTANT: How was the top?
CUSTOMER1: I’m afraid it didn’t 5_____ very well. It was a bit 6_____ under the arms.
SHOP ASSISTANT: Oh, that’s a 7_____. Would you like a bigger size?
CUSTOMER1: No, I don’t think so. In actual fact, it wasn’t just the 8_____. I don’t think it 9_____ me, actually. I think it’s really for a younger person. I’ll 10_____ it, thanks.

22.5 ‣

Over to you

Look at the text at the top of the opposite page again. Which statements are true for you? If possible, compare your answers with someone else.

Answer Key
A ‣ Fashion

FASHION: WHICH ARE YOU?

  1. I usually shop1 with a friend.
  2. I always try on clothes2 before I buy them.
  3. I sometimes buy clothes that don’t suit me3, just because they’re fashionable4.
  4. If I buy trousers or a skirt, I buy a shirt or top to go with5 it at the same time.
  5. My wardrobe6 is full of clothes that I buy and hardly ever wear.
  6. I like to buy designer labels7, even though they’re more expensive.
  7. I like wearing fashionable clothes, but the price has to be reasonable8.
  8. I never buy clothes just because they’re in fashion9.
  9. I like to dress in10 clothes that are casual but still look quite fashionable.
  10. I’m always happy with what I’ve got on11.

1buy things in shops
2put clothes on in a shop to see what they are like
3look good on me
4popular at that particular time
5look good together
6a large cupboard for keeping clothes in
7clothes made by famous designers, e.g. Versace, Dolce & Gabbana
8not expensive
9fashionable
10wear a particular type, style or colour of clothes
11am wearing

Language help

If two things match, they are a similar colour or type. If two things go with each other, they look good together.

Catherine’s bag matches her coat. Catherine’s bag goes with her coat.

If something suits you, it looks good on you. If something fits you, it is the right size.

B ‣ In a clothes shop

A shop assistant [a person who works in a shop] is serving different customers [helping them to buy things].

Shop Assisstant: Can I help you?

Customer 1: No, I’m being served, thanks. [another shop assistant is already helping me]

Shop Assisstant: Do you need any help?

Customer 2: Yes, I’ve just tried on this jacket in a size 12, and it didn’t really fit me; it’s a bit tight [too small around the body; opp loose/big]. Have you got it in a bigger size?

Shop Assisstant: We have got a size 14, but not in pink, I’m afraid.

Customer 2: Oh, that’s a shame [that is disappointing; syn that’s a pity]. OK. I’ll leave it, thanks. [I have decided not to buy it; opp I’ll take it/them]

Shop Assisstant: OK. I’m sorry about that. … Can I help you?

Customer 3: Yes, I’m looking for a skirt and this looks nice. [I want to find a skirt] Can I try it on?

Shop Assisstant: Yes, of course. The changing rooms are down there. [the place where you can try on clothes]

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