Of course! "Unusual clothes" is a fantastic and common topic for IELTS Speaking Part 2. It allows you to showcase your vocabulary, use descriptive language, and tell a good story.

Here is a comprehensive guide to help you tackle this topic, including a sample answer, key vocabulary, and useful structures.

Part 2: Cue Card

Describe an item of clothing that you consider to be unusual. You should say:

• What the clothing is
• When and where you saw it
• What it looks like
• And explain why you think it is unusual

Sample Answer

(A high-scoring, natural-sounding response)

"That's a really interesting question. I'd like to talk about a piece of clothing that I saw a few years ago, which I still find incredibly unique and unconventional. It wasn't something I owned, but rather a stunning outfit I saw at an avant-garde fashion show in Shanghai.

The clothing in question was a haute couture evening gown. It was designed by a very famous Chinese designer, Guo Pei, who is known for his theatrical and over-the-top creations. This particular gown was a masterpiece of craftsmanship. The base was a flowing, floor-length dress made from what looked like layers of shimmering, champagne-coloured silk. However, the truly unusual part was the embellishment. It was completely covered in what I can only describe as a mosaic of thousands of tiny, iridescent shells and mother-of-pearl pieces. They were sewn on by hand in intricate patterns that looked like celestial constellations or flowing water. The craftsmanship was just breathtaking; it must have taken hundreds of hours to create.

The reason I found it so unusual is twofold. First, the choice of material was completely unexpected. Using seashells on an evening gown is not something you see every day. It was incredibly heavy and gave the dress a completely different texture and weight compared to traditional fabrics like satin or velvet. It looked both delicate and robust at the same time. Second, the overall aesthetic was far removed from everyday fashion. It wasn't designed to be practical or comfortable; it was a pure work of art, meant to be on a runway and admired from a distance. It challenged my perception of what clothing could be. It wasn't just fabric and thread; it was a sculpture for the human body.

To be honest, I don't think I would ever have the courage to wear something like that in public, but I have immense respect for the creativity and artistry behind it. It really showed me that fashion can be a form of high art, and that's why I still remember it as the most unusual piece of clothing I've ever seen."

Why this answer is a good band 7+

• Fluency and Coherence: The answer flows naturally. It uses linking words like "That's a really interesting question," "First," "Second," and "To be honest" to structure the response logically.
• Lexical Resource (Vocabulary): It uses a wide range of topic-specific and advanced vocabulary:
  • avant-garde, haute couture, theatrical, over-the-top, masterpiece, craftsmanship, embellishment, iridescent, mother-of-pearl, intricate, celestial constellations, choice of material, aesthetic, pure work of art, craftsmanship.
• Grammar: A good mix of simple, compound, and complex sentences is used. For example: "It was designed to be... not..." and "It looked both delicate and robust at the same time."
• Pronunciation: (Assumed) The words are spoken clearly with appropriate stress and intonation, especially on key descriptive words like "breathtaking" and "unconventional."

Key Vocabulary & Phrases

You can mix and match these to build your own unique answer.

Describing the Clothing (Nouns & Adjectives)

• Nouns:
  • Outfit / Ensemble
  • Gown / Dress
  • Coat / Jacket
  • Costume (for a specific event/character)
  • Accessory (e.g., a hat, a piece of jewelry)
  • Haute Couture (high-end, custom-made fashion)
  • Avant-garde (experimental, ahead of its time)
• Adjectives:
  • Unconventional, non-traditional, outlandish, eccentric
  • Bizarre, strange, peculiar, odd
  • Elaborate, intricate, detailed, ornate
  • Bold, vibrant, flamboyant, eye-catching
  • Whimsical, quirky, kitsch
  • Theatrical, dramatic, over-the-top

Describing the Materials & Craftsmanship

• Materials: Sequins, feathers, shells, beads, lace, leather, unconventional fabrics, recycled materials, mesh, neoprene.
• Craftsmanship:
  • Embellishment / Embellished
  • Hand-sewn / Hand-crafted
  • Meticulous / Intricate detail
  • A masterpiece of craftsmanship
  • Impeccable tailoring
  • Woven / Knitted / Crocheted

Verbs & Phrases for Context

• When/Where you saw it:
  • "I came across it at..."
  • "I spotted it on a TV show..."
  • "It was worn by a celebrity at an awards ceremony."
  • "I saw it in a museum exhibition."
  • "It was on display in a shop window."
• Why it's unusual:
  • "The thing that makes it so unusual is the..."
  • "It stands out because of its..."
  • "What I find particularly strange is the..."
  • "It's not the kind of thing you'd see in everyday life."
  • "It's completely impractical for daily wear."
  • "It pushes the boundaries of fashion."
  • "It challenges conventional ideas about what clothing should be."

Part 3 Follow-up Questions

Be prepared for deeper questions about fashion and society.

Examiner: "Why do you think some people choose to wear unusual clothes?"

• Your Answer Idea: "Well, I believe people wear unusual clothes for various reasons. Some do it as a form of self-expression, to show their creativity and individuality. For others, it's about making a statement or challenging social norms. In certain subcultures, like punk or goth, distinctive clothing is a way to signal belonging to a particular group. And of course, some people simply enjoy the artistic process and see fashion as a canvas for their imagination."

Examiner: "Is fashion important in your country? Why?"

• Your Answer Idea: "Absolutely, fashion is quite significant, though perhaps in different ways. In big cities, it's a major part of the identity and culture. People follow global trends, but there's also a growing appreciation for local designers who blend traditional elements with modern styles. It's not just about looking good; it's about economic importance too, as the fashion industry creates many jobs, from design and manufacturing to retail and marketing."

Examiner: "Do you think it's important for people to follow fashion trends? Why or why not?"

• Your Answer Idea: "I don't think it's essential for everyone to follow trends. I believe in personal style over blind conformity. Following trends can be fun and help people feel connected to the current cultural moment, but it can also lead to a lack of individuality and unnecessary consumerism. Ultimately, I think it's more important for people to wear clothes that make them feel confident and comfortable, rather than just what's on the runway."

Good luck with your IELTS preparation! Remember to practice speaking these answers out loud.