This is my IELTS writing task 2 sample answer essay from the new Cambridge 20 book on the topic of global fashion trends.

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IELTS Cambridge 20 Essay: Global Fashion Trends

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?

In recent decades, global fashion trends have become a dominant force shaping how individuals dress across diverse cultures. The widespread influence of international styles can be attributed to the rise of social media. This development is negative overall as it raises concerns about cultural erosion and environmental degradation.

One primary reason global fashion has such a strong hold on people’s clothing choices is the unprecedented accessibility of digital platforms. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have turned ordinary individuals into influencers whose outfits often mirror the latest looks from Paris, Milan, or Seoul. For instance, after the K-pop group BTS wore pastel-colored suits during a televised performance, similar styles surged in popularity globally, including in non-Asian markets like North and South America. This digital exposure transcends geographic barriers and enables trends to spread virally within days.

While some see this as a celebration of interconnectedness, the dominance of Western and corporate fashion often marginalizes local textile industries and traditional forms of dress. In India, for example, the wearing of sarees among urban young people has declined as jeans and branded t-shirts become the norm. This shift not only threatens cultural heritages but also undermines livelihoods tied to traditional craftsmanship. Relatedly, the environmental cost of fast fashion, typically driven by global trends. is severe, with the industry producing millions of tons of textile waste annually, much of it in developing nations where discarded clothing is dumped in landfills.

In conclusion, global fashion exerts an increasingly powerful influence on how people dress due to digital media. This greatly contributes to cultural homogenization and environmental harm. On balance, this development is negative, especially when it displaces traditional cultures and promotes unsustainable consumption habits.

Analysis

1. In recent decades, global fashion trends have become a dominant force shaping how individuals dress across diverse cultures. 2. The widespread influence of international styles can be attributed to the rise of social media. This development is negative overall as it raises concerns about cultural erosion and environmental degradation.

1. Paraphrase the overall essay topic.
2. Write a clear opinion. Read more about introductions here.

1. One primary reason global fashion has such a strong hold on people’s clothing choices is the unprecedented accessibility of digital platforms. 2. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have turned ordinary individuals into influencers whose outfits often mirror the latest looks from Paris, Milan, or Seoul. 3. For instance, after the K-pop group BTS wore pastel-colored suits during a televised performance, similar styles surged in popularity globally, including in non-Asian markets like North and South America. 4. This digital exposure transcends geographic barriers and enables trends to spread virally within days.

1. Write a topic sentence with a clear main idea at the end.
2. Explain your main idea.
3. Develop it with specific or hypothetical examples.
4. Keep developing it fully.

1. While some see this as a celebration of interconnectedness, the dominance of Western and corporate fashion often marginalizes local textile industries and traditional forms of dress. 2. In India, for example, the wearing of sarees among urban young people has declined as jeans and branded t-shirts become the norm. 3. This shift not only threatens cultural heritages but also undermines livelihoods tied to traditional craftsmanship. 4. Relatedly, the environmental cost of fast fashion, typically driven by global trends. is severe, with the industry producing millions of tons of textile waste annually, much of it in developing nations where discarded clothing is dumped in landfills.

1. Write a new topic sentence with a new main idea at the end.
2. Explain your new main idea.
3. Include specific details and examples.
4. Add as much information as you can and make sure it links logically.

1. In conclusion, global fashion exerts an increasingly powerful influence on how people dress due to digital media. This greatly contributes to cultural homogenization and environmental harm. 2. On balance, this development is negative, especially when it displaces traditional cultures and promotes unsustainable consumption habits.

1. Summarise your main ideas.
2. Include a final thought. Read more about conclusions here.

Vocabulary

What do the words in bold below mean? Make some notes on paper to aid memory and then check below.

In recent decades, global fashion trends have become a dominant force shaping how individuals dress across diverse cultures. The widespread influence of international styles can be attributed to the rise of social media. This development is negative overall as it raises concerns about cultural erosion and environmental degradation.

One primary reason global fashion has such a strong hold on people’s clothing choices is the unprecedented accessibility of digital platforms. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have turned ordinary individuals into influencers whose outfits often mirror the latest looks from Paris, Milan, or Seoul. For instance, after the K-pop group BTS wore pastel-colored suits during a televised performance, similar styles surged in popularity globally, including in non-Asian markets like North and South America. This digital exposure transcends geographic barriers and enables trends to spread virally within days.

While some see this as a celebration of interconnectedness, the dominance of Western and corporate fashion often marginalizes local textile industries and traditional forms of dress. In India, for example, the wearing of sarees among urban young people has declined as jeans and branded t-shirts become the norm. This shift not only threatens cultural heritages but also undermines livelihoods tied to traditional craftsmanship. Relatedly, the environmental cost of fast fashion, typically driven by global trends. is severe, with the industry producing millions of tons of textile waste annually, much of it in developing nations where discarded clothing is dumped in landfills.

In conclusion, global fashion exerts an increasingly powerful influence on how people dress due to digital media. This greatly contributes to cultural homogenization and environmental harm. On balance, this development is negative, especially when it displaces traditional cultures and promotes unsustainable consumption habits.

Answers

For extra practice, write an antonym (opposite word) on a piece of paper to help you remember the new vocabulary:

In recent decades → Over the past few decades
global fashion trends → international clothing styles
dominant force shaping → key driver influencing
across diverse cultures → in a wide range of societies
The widespread influence of → The far-reaching impact of
international styles → global design aesthetics
can be attributed to → is largely due to
the rise of social media → the growth of digital networking platforms
This development is negative overall as → Overall, this trend has detrimental effects because it
raises concerns about → sparks worries regarding
cultural erosion → the decline of traditional cultural identity
environmental degradation → damage to the natural environment
One primary reason global fashion → A major factor behind the influence of global fashion
unprecedented accessibility of digital platforms → unmatched ease of access to online media
turned ordinary individuals into influencers → transformed everyday people into trendsetters
mirror the latest looks from → imitate the newest styles originating in
wore pastel-colored suits → dressed in light-toned formal wear
during a televised performance → while appearing on a broadcasted event
surged in popularity globally → experienced a worldwide increase in demand
in non-Asian markets → in countries outside of Asia
digital exposure transcends geographic barriers → online visibility overcomes physical borders
enables → makes it possible for
spread virally within days → circulate rapidly in a short time frame
a celebration of interconnectedness → an expression of global unity
corporate fashion → mass-produced commercial apparel
marginalizes local textile industries → pushes aside domestic fabric producers
traditional forms of dress → customary clothing practices
sarees → traditional Indian garments
declined → diminished in use
branded t-shirts become the norm → logo-emblazoned shirts dominate everyday wear
shift → change in preference
cultural heritages → ancestral customs and traditions
undermines livelihoods tied to traditional craftsmanship → jeopardizes income dependent on artisanal skills
Relatedly → In a similar vein
environmental cost → ecological toll
fast fashion → rapid-turnover clothing production
typically driven by global trends → usually fueled by international style movements
severe → serious and far-reaching
industry producing → sector generating
textile waste annually → tons of discarded fabric each year
developing nations → lower-income countries
discarded clothing is dumped → used garments are disposed of
landfills → waste disposal sites
exerts an increasingly powerful influence on → has a growing impact on
greatly contributes to → significantly adds to
cultural homogenization → loss of cultural diversity
environmental harm → ecological damage
On balance → All things considered
displaces traditional cultures → replaces age-old customs
promotes unsustainable consumption habits → encourages irresponsible buying behavior

Pronunciation

Practice saying the vocabulary below and use this tip about Google voice search:

ɪn ˈriːsᵊnt ˈdɛkeɪdz
ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˈfæʃᵊn trɛndz
ˈdɒmɪnənt fɔːs ˈʃeɪpɪŋ
əˈkrɒs daɪˈvɜːs ˈkʌlʧəz
ðə ˈwaɪdsprɛd ˈɪnfluəns ɒv
ˌɪntəˈnæʃᵊnᵊl staɪlz
kæn biː əˈtrɪbjuːtɪd tuː
ðə raɪz ɒv ˈsəʊʃᵊl ˈmiːdiə
ðɪs dɪˈvɛləpmənt ɪz ˈnɛɡətɪv ˌəʊvəˈrɔːl æz
ˈreɪzɪz kənˈsɜːnz əˈbaʊt
ˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ɪˈrəʊʒᵊn
ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl ˌdɛɡrəˈdeɪʃᵊn
wʌn ˈpraɪmᵊri ˈriːzᵊn ˈɡləʊbᵊl ˈfæʃᵊn
ʌnˈprɛsɪdɛntɪd əkˌsɛsəˈbɪləti ɒv ˈdɪʤɪtᵊl ˈplætfɔːmz
tɜːnd ˈɔːdᵊnᵊri ˌɪndɪˈvɪʤuəlz ˈɪntuː ˈɪnfluənsəz
ˈmɪrə ðə ˈleɪtɪst lʊks frɒm
wɔː ˈpæstᵊl-ˈkʌləd suːts
ˈdjʊərɪŋ ə ˈtɛlɪvaɪzd pəˈfɔːməns
sɜːʤd ɪn ˌpɒpjəˈlærəti ˈɡləʊbᵊli
ɪn nɒn-ˈeɪʒᵊn ˈmɑːkɪts
ˈdɪʤɪtᵊl ɪkˈspəʊʒə trænˈsɛndz ˌʤiəˈɡræfɪk ˈbæriəz
ɪˈneɪbᵊlz
sprɛd ˈvaɪərᵊli wɪˈðɪn deɪz
ə ˌsɛləˈbreɪʃᵊn ɒv ˌɪntəkəˈnɛktɪdnəs
ˈkɔːpᵊrət ˈfæʃᵊn
ˈmɑːʤɪnᵊlaɪzɪz ˈləʊkᵊl ˈtɛkstaɪl ˈɪndəstriz
trəˈdɪʃᵊnᵊl fɔːmz ɒv drɛs
sarees
dɪˈklaɪnd
ˈbrændɪd ˈtiːʃɜːts bɪˈkʌm ðə nɔːm
ʃɪft
ˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl ˈhɛrɪtɪʤɪz
ˌʌndəˈmaɪnz ˈlaɪvlɪhʊdz taɪd tuː trəˈdɪʃᵊnᵊl ˈkrɑːftsmənʃɪp
rɪˈleɪtɪdli
ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl kɒst
fɑːst ˈfæʃᵊn
ˈtɪpɪkᵊli ˈdrɪvᵊn baɪ ˈɡləʊbᵊl trɛndz
sɪˈvɪə
ˈɪndəstri prəˈdjuːsɪŋ
ˈtɛkstaɪl weɪst ˈænjuəli
dɪˈvɛləpɪŋ ˈneɪʃᵊnz
dɪˈskɑːdɪd ˈkləʊðɪŋ ɪz dʌmpt
ˈlændfɪlz
ɪɡˈzɜːts ən ɪnˈkriːsɪŋli ˈpaʊəfᵊl ˈɪnfluəns ɒn
ˈɡreɪtli kənˈtrɪbjuːts tuː
ˈkʌlʧᵊrᵊl homogenization
ɪnˌvaɪrᵊnˈmɛntᵊl hɑːm
ɒn ˈbælᵊns
dɪˈspleɪsɪz trəˈdɪʃᵊnᵊl ˈkʌlʧəz
prəˈməʊts ˌʌnsəˈsteɪnəbᵊl kənˈsʌmpʃᵊn ˈhæbɪts

Vocabulary Practice

I recommend getting a pencil and piece of paper because that aids memory. Then write down the missing vocabulary from my sample answer in your notebook:

In __________ decades, global ___________ trends have become a dominant ______________ shaping how individuals dress across ________ cultures. The ______________________ of international ________s can ______________ to the ____________ media. This ______________________________ as it raises ___________________ erosion and environmental _______________n.

One _____________ fashion has such a strong hold on people’s clothing choices is the unprecedented __________________ platforms. Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube have turned ________________ influencers whose outfits often mirror __________________ from Paris, Milan, or Seoul. For instance, after the K-pop group BTS wore _________________________ performance, similar styles surged ______________ globally, including in ______________ markets like North and South America. This digital ___________________________ barriers and e________s trends to spread ______________ days.

While some see this as a ____________ interconnectedness, the dominance of Western and corporate ____________n often marginalizes ________________ industries and traditional ___________ dress. In India, for example, the wearing of s_________s among urban young people has d__________d as jeans and branded ______________________ norm. This s_____t not only threatens cultural _________s but also undermines livelihoods tied ____________________ craftsmanship. R_____y, the environmental ______t of fast _________n, typically __________________ trends. is s______e, with the industry _________g millions of tons of textile _____________annually, much of it in developing ________s where discarded __________ dumped in l____________s.

In conclusion, global fashion exerts ______________________________ on how people dress due to digital media. This g______________________________o c_______________________________n and e______________________m. O_________________e, this development is negative, especially when it d_______________________________ and p________________________________s.

Listening Practice

Learn more about this topic by watching from YouTube below and practice with these activities:

Reading Practice

Read more about this topic and use these ideas to practice:

https://www.vogue.co.uk/article/spring-summer-2025-fashion-trends

Speaking Practice

Practice with the following speaking questions from the real IELTS speaking exam:

Shops (IELTS Speaking Part 3)

Question 1: Do you think shopping centers and malls are still popular these days? 

Question 2: How often do you go shopping for clothes? 

Question 3: What is your opinion about online shopping? Do you think it is better than going to a store? Why or why not?

Question 4: Do you think shopping can be addictive? 

Question 5: How do you think shopping habits have changed in recent years?

Question 6: Do you think shopping can be a waste of time and money?

Writing Practice

Practice with the related IELTS essay topic:

Many young people today spend too much time following the latest fashion trends in areas such as clothing and technology.

To what extent do you agree or disagree?

IELTS Essay: Fashion Trends