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to be on trend: to be very fashionable

casual clothes: not formal

classic style: a simple, traditional style that is always fashionable

designer label: a well-known company that makes (often expensive) clothing

dressed to kill: wearing clothes that attract admirers

to dress for the occasion: to wear clothes suitable for a particular event

fashionable: in fashion

fashion house: a company that sells (usually expensive) new styles in clothes

fashion icon: a person who is famous for their sense of fashion

fashion show: an event where modals show off the latest in fashion designs

to get dressed up: to put on nice clothes, often to go out somewhere special

to go out of fashion: to not be in fashion any more

hand-me-downs: clothes that are passed down from older brothers or sisters to their younger siblings

to have an eye for (fashion): to be a good judge of

to have a sense of style: the ability to wear clothes that look stylish

the height of fashion: very fashionable

to keep up with the latest fashion: to wear the latest fashions

to look good in: to wear something that suits you

to mix and match: to wear different styles or items of clothing that aren’t part of a set outfit

must-have: something that is highly fashionable and therefore in demand

off the peg: clothing that is ready made

old fashioned: not in fashion any more

on the catwalk: the stage that modals walk along to show off the latest fashions

a slave to fashion: someone who always feel the need to wear the latest fashions

smart clothes: the kind of clothes worn for a formal event

to suit someone: to look good on someone

to take pride in one’s appearance: to pay attention to how one looks

timeless: something that doesn’t go out of fashion

vintage clothes: clothes from an earlier period

well-dressed: to be dressed attractively

Lesson 12: Personality

During the IELTS Speaking exam you may be asked to talk about someone’s personality or character. Read the following IELTS-style questions and answers below and pay attention to the phrases in bold. Use the ‘Definitions’ section at the bottom of the page to check the meaning of any phrases you don’t understand.
Part 1-style questions
Examiner: How would you describe yourself?
Paula: Everyone tells me I take after my mum as I’m quite laid-back … I think I’m good companybut you should ask my friends if they agree …
Examiner: In which ways are you similar to your friends?
Manuel: I seem to be attracted to introverts … not people who are painfully