Unit 23: Did you hear about...?
– Asking about trends
– Describing trends
Part 1
Vocabulary
Complete each sentence below with the name of a celebrity or someone you know personally.
- ____________________ follows the fads / is trendy.
- ____________________ shops a lot for clothes that are in / in style / stylish / up to date.
- ____________________ likes to wear vintage / retro clothing.
- ____________________ always looks fashionable / chic.
- ____________________ likes to wear modern clothes.
- ____________________ is a trendsetter.
- ____________________ never wears clothes that are out / out of style / outdated.
Example conversation
A: Lady Gaga likes to wear modern clothes. Her clothes almost look like they are from the future.
B: I agree. And Gwen Stefani wears a lot of vintage clothes. But she's also a trendsetter.
Part 2
Conversation
Listen and answer 2 questions.
1. What does Jodie say is in style?
2. What does she say is out of style?
Lynn & Jodie
Transcript
Lynn: Thanks for going shopping with me, Jodie. I really need new clothes, and you always look so fashionable.
Jodie: Oh, thanks, Lynn. It’s really no problem.
Lynn: Well, you are a trendsetter.
Lynn: What do you think of these pants?
Jodie: Well, these days, a lot of people are wearing really bright pants.
Lynn: Really?
Jodie: Yeah, but you shouldn’t follow a fad that you’re not comfortable with.
Lynn: How about skirts?
Jodie: The current trend is to wear shorter skirts.
Lynn: Are knee-length skirts out of style?
Jodie: Yeah. Knee-length skirts are outdated.
Lynn: Wow, I really do need help.
Example answer
- Jodie says really bright pants are in style right now. Shorter skirts are also in style.
- Jodie says knee-length skirts are out of style.
Practice the conversation with teacher
Find the best places to add the sentences below to the conversation and practice it again.
I have so many knee-length skirts.
I wouldn’t feel comfortable in bright pants.
I love to shop for clothes!
Do you think they would look good on me?
Lynn: Thanks for going shopping with me, Jodie. I really need new clothes, and you always look so fashionable.
Jodie: Oh, thanks, Lynn. It’s really no problem. ____________________.
Lynn: Well, you are a trendsetter.
Lynn: What do you think of these pants? ____________________.
Jodie: Well, these days, a lot of people are wearing really bright pants.
Lynn: Really? ____________________.
Jodie: Yeah, but you shouldn’t follow a fad that you’re not comfortable with.
Lynn: How about skirts?
Jodie: The current trend is to wear shorter skirts.
Lynn: Are knee-length skirts out of style?
Jodie: Yeah. Knee-length skirts are outdated.
Lynn: Wow, I really do need help. ____________________.
Answers
Lynn: Thanks for going shopping with me, Jodie. I really need new clothes, and you always look so fashionable.
Jodie: Oh, thanks, Lynn. It’s really no problem. I love to shop for clothes!
Lynn: Well, you are a trendsetter.
Lynn: What do you think of these pants? Do you think they would look good on me?
Jodie: Well, these days, a lot of people are wearing really bright pants.
Lynn: Really? I wouldn't feel comfortable in bright pants.
Jodie: Yeah, but you shouldn’t follow a fad that you’re not comfortable with.
Lynn: How about skirts?
Jodie: The current trend is to wear shorter skirts.
Lynn: Are knee-length skirts out of style?
Jodie: Yeah. Knee-length skirts are outdated.
Lynn: Wow, I really do need help. I have so many knee-lenght skirts.
Part 3
Language Booster
Notice the ways we express a lack of understanding and give opinions without offending someone.
Asking about trends
- What’s currently in style?
- What’s considered trendy right now?
- Is it out of style to wear (knee-length skirts)?
Describing trends
- These day, a lot of people are wearing (really bright pants).
- Nowdays, it’s trendy to wear / The current trend is to wear shorter skirts.
Student chooses a trend below and tell your teacher if you think which trend is in style.
- baggy pants
- oversized shirts
- big jewelry
- metallic-colored shoes
Example conversation
A: So, what do you think is currently in style? These days, not too many people are wearing baggy pants. I think they are out of fashion.
B: I agree. And oversized shirts aren’t in style, either.
Part 4
Listening
Listen. Allie is cleaning out her closet.
Write down the types of clothing mentioned in the conversation.
| Clothing | Allie wants to keep it | Allie wants to get rid of it |
Listen again. Check the answer for each type of clothing.
Transcript
A: Hi, Allie. What are you doing?
B: I’m going through my closet and getting rid of old, outdated clothes. Do you want to help me?
A: Sure. I love doing this kind of stuff.
B: Great. I’d really appreciate the help. You always know what’s stylish. OK, what do you think of this long black skirt? It goes all the way down to my feet. I’ve had it for a few years. Should I keep it?
A: Oh, I think you should keep it. Long skirts are always in style. These days, a lot of people are wearing long skirts. And it’s always good to have a black skirt.
B: All right. I’ll keep it. How about this red knee-length skirt? I bought this one about two years ago, and I’ve only worn it a couple of times.
A: Well, I don’t know. It’s a pretty color, and the current trend is to wear bright colors, but I think knee-length skirts are out of style now. I don’t think you should keep that one.
B: Yeah, you’re right. I’ll give this one away. I also have this short skirt in blue. I’ve had this one for a couple of years. Is it out of style to wear short skirts?
A: No, you should definitely keep that one. It’s still very stylish. I really like it.
B: OK. How about this gray jacket? It was my grandmother’s. She wore it a lot in the sixties and she gave it to me last year.
A: That’s really cute. It’s so retro, and it’s still in really good condition. Old clothes are made to last a long time. Don’t get rid of that one.
B: All right. Let’s see. What about this white sweater? It’s really big.
A: It looks comfortable, but it’s totally out of style. The current trend is to wear smaller sweaters.
B: Yeah, I know. But I really like it. I only wear it around the house, really. And it’s so warm.
A: Then I think you should keep it. All your clothes don’t have to be stylish. You should keep what you really like, even if it’s outdated.
B: I think so, too.
Answer
- Clothing Allie wants to keep: long black shirt, short blue shirt, gray jacket, white sweater.
- Clothing Allie wants to get rid of: red knee-length skirt.
Part 5
Speak with confidence
Make a list of clothing types that are currenly in style for men and women or both.
Style for men
________________________
________________________
Style for women
________________________
________________________
Which clothing style do you like or dislike?
Discuss these questions below
What kind of clothes do you think are popular now?
Do you think baggy pants are in style?
Are short skirts in style or out of style?
What colors do people like to wear these days?
Do you think oversized shirts are still trendy?
Are bright clothes in fashion or not?
What shoes do people wear a lot now?