How to use this lesson

A Core Vocabulary in Action

Select the word that accurately completes each everyday clothing context.

1. This light cotton ____ is perfect for hot summer days because it breathes easily.

2. The suit trousers were slightly too loose around my waist, so I had to pay someone to ____ them.

3. Instead of throwing away this wool sweater with a torn sleeve, my grandmother helped me ____ it with needle and thread.

4. Cheap synthetic tops are often treated as ____ items, worn once or twice before being thrown out.

5. Every single ____ sold in that boutique is handmade by local craftspeople.

B Collocations Matching

Match each natural word pairing to its everyday meaning.

D Fashion Industry Trivia

Test your background knowledge on global clothing consumption trends.

Fact 1: Clothing Utilization Drop

According to research by the Ellen MacArthur Foundation, how much did clothing utilisation (the number of times an item is worn before being thrown away) drop compared to 15 years earlier?

Fact 2: Garment Production in 2000

Approximately how many garment units were sold globally in the year 2000?

Describe a piece of clothing that is important to you.

You should say:

• what it is
• when and where you got it
• how often you wear it
• and explain why it is important to you.

Press record when you are ready to speak for 1.5 to 2 minutes:

[Bài tập luyện nói]

Well, to be completely honest, I'm not really someone who obsesses over fashion, but there's this one dark navy winter coat that I really cherish. I got it about four years ago during a chilly family trip to Da Lat. My grandmother spotted it in a little shop and insisted on buying it for me because my jacket at the time wasn't warm enough.

It's made from a heavy wool blend with deep pockets and sturdy wooden buttons. When I first got it, the sleeves were slightly too long, so I actually had it altered at a local tailor down my street so it would fit properly.

I don't wear it every day, of course, but I tend to wear it whenever the temperature drops or on long weekend trips. What makes it special isn't the price tag—it certainly isn't a designer label. Rather, it has lasted really well, and it still looks great. Every time I put it on, it immediately reminds me of my grandmother's warmth and care.

I think there are two reasons, really. Some people want to make a statement. You know, a famous logo gives them a real boost in confidence when they're out with friends or at work. It shows a certain status. Others care about quality. They'd rather pay more for clothes that won't fall apart after two washes. They see it as a smart choice. A well-made jacket will last for years, which actually saves money in the long run.

Well, the biggest change is online shopping. People used to spend whole weekends in department stores. Now? They just order on a whim with a few taps on their phone. Social media makes it worse, you know, because everyone follows the latest fad. You see a short video of a cool outfit, and you buy it instantly. It's super convenient. But it also means we end up buying stuff we don't really need. That is, unless we actively hunt for bargains on second-hand apps.

Honestly, yes. Cheap brands have, you know, created a throwaway culture. People buy a top for next to nothing, wear it once and let it gather dust. It's cheap, so they don't bother to have them mended. It's a huge shift from older generations. They used to repair everything.

I believe both sides can help. Shops could offer repair services, or take back old clothes to recycle. That'd make a huge difference. And, well, customers need to be more careful. We should buy fewer things and opt for durable materials. We can also get clothes altered instead of just dumping them. If we stop treating clothes like they're disposable, we can really cut down on waste. It's much better than sending everything to landfills.