Fashion combines ideas about identity, culture, and global influence—all of which are common themes for Writing and Speaking.
The question below asks you to explain both why something is happening and whether it is positive or negative, so your structure needs to address both parts clearly.
Model IELTS Writing Task 2 Question
Many aspects of the way people dress today are influenced by global fashion trends.
How has global fashion become such a strong influence on people’s lives?
Do you think this is a positive or negative development?
Write at least 250 words.
Model Task 2 Answer
In today’s interconnected world, people’s clothing choices are often shaped by global fashion trends. This influence is largely due to digital communication, international branding, and the increasing visibility of celebrity culture. While there are some concerns about the loss of cultural identity, I believe this trend is mostly positive.
One reason global fashion has become so dominant is the rise of social media and online shopping. Platforms like Instagram and TikTok allow trends to spread worldwide in minutes, while global brands use influencers to promote a unified image of what is stylish. At the same time, fast fashion companies can reproduce new styles at high speed and low cost, making trendy clothing accessible to people everywhere. As a result, individuals from different countries often end up wearing similar styles, even if their traditional clothing is very different.
Although some people worry that this globalisation of fashion threatens cultural diversity, it can also promote creativity and self-expression. People are no longer limited by what is available in their local area—they can experiment with looks from around the world. In many cases, traditional designs are not lost but blended with modern elements, creating new hybrid styles. For example, young designers in Africa and Asia have begun to reinterpret local fabrics using global silhouettes.
In conclusion, global fashion has become influential through technology and marketing, and in my view, this is a mostly positive development. As long as people remain aware of their roots, global trends can enrich rather than erase cultural identity.
Word Count: 250
Approach to the Essay
Introduction:
The introduction sets out the reason behind the topic’s importance and gives a clear opinion: that global fashion is mostly positive.
Body Paragraph 1:
This paragraph explains why global fashion trends are so widespread today, using examples like social media and fast fashion.
Body Paragraph 2:
Here, the writer responds to concerns about cultural loss but argues that global fashion can actually support creativity and cultural blending.
Conclusion:
The conclusion reinforces the opinion that global trends are beneficial—as long as people stay connected to their roots.
Why This Structure Works
This 4-paragraph format gives a clear answer to both parts of the question: the cause of the trend and the writer’s opinion. Each paragraph sticks to one main idea, supported by relevant examples and vocabulary. This meets key IELTS criteria for Task Response, Coherence, and Lexical Resource.
IELTS Vocabulary Quiz: Global Fashion Trends
Multiple Choice — Choose the Best Meaning
- What are global fashion trends?
A. Clothes worn by traditional communities
B. Styles popular in only one country
C. Clothing styles seen across many countries - What does fast fashion refer to?
A. Expensive clothes made slowly
B. Cheap clothes made quickly to follow trends
C. Traditional clothing for formal events - If someone reinterprets a traditional fabric, they:
A. Throw it away
B. Use it in the same old way
C. Use it in a new or modern style - A person with strong cultural identity is:
A. Ashamed of their background
B. Clear and proud about their culture
C. Always changing their appearance - What is meant by self-expression in fashion?
A. Wearing clothes that show your personality
B. Wearing only what others tell you
C. Copying styles without change
Answer Key
- C
- B
- C
- B
- A
Glossary of High-Level Vocabulary
| Word/Phrase | Meaning (in simple terms) |
|---|---|
| interconnected world | a world where people and places are more connected than ever |
| global fashion trends | popular clothing styles that are seen in many countries |
| digital communication | using the internet and technology to share ideas or images |
| fast fashion | cheap clothes made quickly to follow new styles |
| celebrity culture | focus on the lives and choices of famous people |
| cultural identity | the way someone’s culture shows in their life and values |
| self-expression | showing your thoughts or personality through your actions |
| hybrid styles | fashion that mixes traditional and modern elements |
| reinterpret | to look at something in a new way |
| silhouettes | the overall shape or outline of a piece of clothing |
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