In fashion - Module 7B
B2 First · Gapped Text · First Expert Student's Resource Book, Pearson Education
You are going to read an article about personal appearance. Six sentences have been removed from the article. Choose from the sentences (A-G) the one that fits each gap (1–6). There is one extra sentence which you do not need to use.
Make your image work for you
Our appearance conveys a message to everyone we come into contact with. Maybe it's time to pay a bit more attention to it.
Look at these items and ask yourself what they have in common.
A better idea is to stand in front of a full-length mirror and be honest with yourself about what you see.
Sometimes we buy these ill-fitting clothes without thinking.
But once you've got used to this change, it will be easier to make those difficult decisions.
It may be fun to cross these sometimes but do take care not to go too far all at once.
However, there's no need to abandon your individual taste completely.
You'll look better and you'll feel a better person all round.
When we meet people for the first time, we often make decisions about them based entirely on how they look. And of course, we too are being judged on our appearance. Undoubtedly, it's what's inside that's important but sometimes we can send out the wrong signals and so get a negative reaction, simply by wearing inappropriate clothing. For example, people often make the mistake of trying to look like someone else – perhaps someone they've seen in a magazine – but this is usually a disaster as we all have our own characteristics.
There's no need to dwell on your faults when you do this – we all have good points and bad points – think instead about the best way to emphasise the good ones. When selecting your clothes each day, think about who you're likely to meet, where you're going to be spending most of your time and what tasks you're likely to perform. Clearly, on a practical level, some outfits will be more appropriate to different sorts of activity and this will dictate your choice to an extent.
After all, if you dress to please somebody else's idea of what looks good, you may end up feeling uncomfortable and not quite yourself. But to know your own mind, you have to get to know yourself. What do you truly feel good in? There are probably a few favourite clothes that you wear a lot – most people wear 20 percent of their wardrobe 80 percent of the time.
Are they neat and tidy, loose and flowing? Then look at the things hanging in your wardrobe that you don't wear and ask yourself why. Go through a few magazines and catalogues and mark the things that catch your eye. Is there a common theme? Some colours bring your natural colouring to life and others can give us a washed-out appearance. Try out new ones by all means, but remember that dressing in bright colours when you really like subtle neutral tones or vice versa will make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. You know deep down where your own taste boundaries lie.
So, you've chosen an outfit that matches your style, your personality, your shape and your colouring. But is it really the right size? If something is too tight or too loose, you won't achieve the desired effect and no matter what other qualities it has, it won't improve your appearance or your confidence.
For example, some people who dislike shopping grab the first thing they see or prefer to use mail-order or the internet. In all cases, if it doesn't fit perfectly, don't buy it because the finer details are just as important as the overall style. Reappraising your image isn't selfish because everyone who comes into contact with you will benefit.
And if in doubt, you only need to read Professor Albert Mehrabian's book Silent Messages to remind yourself how important outward appearances are. His research showed that the impact we make on each other depends 55 percent on how we look and behave, 38 percent on how we speak and only seven percent on what we actually say.
When we meet people for the first time, we often make decisions about them based entirely on how they look. And of course, we too are being judged on our appearance. Undoubtedly, it's what's inside that's important but sometimes we can send out the wrong signals and so get a negative reaction, simply by wearing inappropriate clothing. For example, people often make the mistake of trying to look like someone else – perhaps someone they've seen in a magazine – but this is usually a disaster as we all have our own characteristics. ___ There's no need to dwell on your faults when you do this – we all have good points and bad points – think instead about the best way to emphasise the good ones. When selecting your clothes each day, think about who you're likely to meet, where you're going to be spending most of your time and what tasks you're likely to perform. Clearly, on a practical level, some outfits will be more appropriate to different sorts of activity and this will dictate your choice to an extent. ___ After all, if you dress to please somebody else's idea of what looks good, you may end up feeling uncomfortable and not quite yourself. But to know your own mind, you have to get to know yourself. What do you truly feel good in? There are probably a few favourite clothes that you wear a lot – most people wear 20 percent of their wardrobe 80 percent of the time. ___ Are they neat and tidy, loose and flowing? Then look at the things hanging in your wardrobe that you don't wear and ask yourself why. Go through a few magazines and catalogues and mark the things that catch your eye. Is there a common theme? Some colours bring your natural colouring to life and others can give us a washed-out appearance. Try out new ones by all means, but remember that dressing in bright colours when you really like subtle neutral tones or vice versa will make you feel self-conscious and uncomfortable. You know deep down where your own taste boundaries lie. ___ So, you've chosen an outfit that matches your style, your personality, your shape and your colouring. But is it really the right size? If something is too tight or too loose, you won't achieve the desired effect and no matter what other qualities it has, it won't improve your appearance or your confidence. ___ For example, some people who dislike shopping grab the first thing they see or prefer to use mail-order or the internet. In all cases, if it doesn't fit perfectly, don't buy it because the finer details are just as important as the overall style. Reappraising your image isn't selfish because everyone who comes into contact with you will benefit. ___ And if in doubt, you only need to read Professor Albert Mehrabian's book Silent Messages to remind yourself how important outward appearances are. His research showed that the impact we make on each other depends 55 percent on how we look and behave, 38 percent on how we speak and only seven percent on what we actually say.
Available as a free printable PDF worksheet with an optional answer key.