Fashion... Is it great?
I. Teacher: Hello! Today we are going to speak about fashion. Is it important for you to follow fashion? People like wearing different clothes. Some of them like to look like a film star or a pop star, the others prefer casual clothes. For different occasions people dress differently or they are supposed to dress differently. But times are changing and styles are changing. What do you know about clothes people wore in Britain in various periods of its history? What was in fashion in Tudor Times?
Student: The most successful men and women of that period showed off their wealth wearing silk, woolen and linen clothing. Children wore the same style of clothing as their parents.
Teacher: What was in fashion in the 18th century?
Student: Slim bodies, tight waists and pale appearance.
Teacher: What was in fashion in the mid-Victorian era?
Student: The whole nation was influenced by the standards set by Queen Victoria. In the mid-Victorian era, people who followed fashion were condemned. It was not only bad taste but also a sin to wear lace or frills.
Teacher: What was in fashion in the period after the first World War?
Student: In this period British women won the right to vote. Their sense of independence they showed off in wearing their hair short and wearing low-waisted and brief dresses. Young people drove fast cars and danced to wild new jazz music.
Teacher: And what is trendy and untrendy now?
Students answer the question using the following words: slim bodies, tight waists, pale appearance, tightly waisted clothes, (un)healthy appearance, lace, frills, silk/woollen/linen clothing, short hair, high/low-waisted dresses, brief/long dresses, extravagant outfits.
II. Now let’s revise our grammar material (Conditional Sentences). Translate and finish the sentences:
- Если бы я был богат…
- Если бы я был на твоём месте…
Answer the questions:
- What would you wear if you were invited to your friend’s birthday party?
- What would you wear if you were invited to a school meeting?
- What would you wear if you were invited to a concert of classical music?
- What would you wear if you were invited to the first date?
- What would you buy if you visited Scotland?
- What would you wear if you were a student of Eton?
III. Let’s speak about a very pleasant thing. Do you like compliments? What do you like best to give or to receive compliments? Look at these pictures.
What would you say if your friend wore such clothes?
And what do you prefer wearing?
Students speak using the following words and expressions:
Nice! Pretty! Brilliant! Super! Fantastic!
What a pretty shirt. It suits you.
You have a good sense of humour!
You have a beautiful smile!
That’s a very smart jacket. It matches your skirt. Etc.
IV. I think that adults or your parents used to give you advice. Do you often follow them? Read the following article and answer the questions.
Advice
Dress for the occasion. You’ll look silly if you turn up in a mini-dress and heels for a night in the Wimpy.
Wear something you feel comfortable in. Don’t wear an outfit just because you think he’ll like it. If you aren’t completely happy with it, then you’ll be too busy worrying about it to enjoy yourself.
Go easy on the make-up. Most boys aren’t actually fond of tons of junk.
Relax. He’ll probably be as nervous as you are, so just enjoy yourself.
1. Who are these pieces of advice addressed to?
to those who are going to a new school
to those who are going to a discotheque
to those who are going to the first date
2. Are they aimed at girls or boys? How do you know?
V. The next task is a group work. I’ll give you the photographs of you classmates but there are no faces on them. You should guess who this is. Discuss the style, the clothes and then guess the persons.
Students describe the pictures using the following words and expressions:
he/she is trendy, enjoys wearing stylish clothes, likes to look smart and attractive, hand-made or design clothes, really extravagant, an individual, a “chain” store, a car boot sale, casual things, home-made sweaters, something more stylish ,has cut his/her hair into strange shapes, has pierced ears, shows off his/her independence.
VI. You’ve worked hard today. We spoke about different periods, we made compliments, discussed your styles. And now, please, answer the question: Is fashion really great? Thank you.