Style Through the Ages

A B2+ ESL Lesson

Inspired by fashion journalism from The Guardian and Business of Fashion

Grammar Warm-Up: Tense and Conditional Review

Answer the questions using the correct tense or conditional form. Be ready to explain your choice.

1. Have you ever regretted buying something expensive?

2. What were you doing this time last weekend?
3. What will you do if it rains all weekend?
4. If you could live in any decade for its fashion, which would you choose and why?
5. How would your life have changed if you had studied something different at university?

Warm-Up Questions: Topic-Based

1. How would you describe your personal style?
2. Do you think fashion reflects a person’s personality? Why or why not?
3. How has your style changed over the last ten years?
 4. Do you follow fashion trends or prefer to create your own look?
5. Can clothing influence how confident someone feels?
6. Which decade do you think had the most iconic fashion?
7. What impact do you think social media has had on fashion trends?

Vocabulary Matching Activity

Word Definition
silhouette c) The outline or general shape of a person or object, especially in fashion
trendsetter f) A person who starts or popularises new styles or ideas
sustainable fashion e) Clothing that is environmentally friendly and ethically made
revival a) The process of becoming popular again after a period of decline
couture g) High-end, custom-fitted clothing typically made by designers
staple b) A basic or essential item used regularly
aesthetic d) A set of principles underlying the artistic style of something
Vocabulary Discussion Questions:
1. Which clothing staples do you wear most often?
2. Would you describe your current wardrobe as part of any particular aesthetic?
3. Can you think of any recent trend revivals in fashion?
4. Do you believe sustainable fashion can become mainstream?
5. Who do you think are modern-day trendsetters?

Reading Text: Style Through the Ages

Fashion has always been more than fabric. It reflects our values, social movements, and historical
context. From the elaborate silhouettes of the Victorian era to the minimalism of the 1990s, each
decade tells a story through what people wore. As society shifts, fashion follows—and sometimes
leads.
In the 1920s, flapper dresses symbolised female empowerment and rebellion. These garments
allowed women to move more freely and reject previous restrictions. It wasn’t just about the cut of
a dress—it was about identity. Every few decades, we see a revival of these attitudes in modern
form, whether in hemlines, makeup trends or accessories.
Today, fashion is increasingly digital and global. Influencers on Instagram or TikTok often become
trendsetters, shaping what millions wear across different cultures. While magazines still play a
role, the voice of the consumer has grown louder. More and more, people choose brands that match
their aesthetic, not just their budget.
Another shift is the rise of sustainable fashion. With growing awareness of the climate crisis,
shoppers are paying closer attention to how their clothes are made. Brands that once ignored ethical
sourcing now highlight it in marketing. Consumers demand transparency, even from couture
houses once known only for exclusivity.
Yet, paradoxically, fast fashion continues to dominate many wardrobes. The allure of affordable
new styles every week makes it difficult for sustainable alternatives to gain a foothold. Still, many
designers are trying to create collections that include eco-friendly staples—pieces that last longer
and go out of style less quickly.
Ultimately, fashion continues to walk the line between art, commerce, and identity. As our priorities
evolve, so too will the clothes we wear. Whether looking back or stepping forward, what we put on
our bodies remains one of the most immediate forms of self-expression.
Sources:
The Guardian – “Fashion Through the Ages: What Our Clothes Say About Us” (2023)
Business of Fashion – “The Future of Sustainable Couture” (2022)

Debate / Discussion Questions

1. Is fashion more about self-expression or fitting in?
2. Should fast fashion be regulated more strictly to support sustainable alternatives?
3. Do fashion trends reinforce or challenge social norms?
4. How much influence should celebrities and influencers have on public fashion choices?
5. Would you be willing to pay more for clothes that are ethically produced? Why or why not?

Idioms and Phrasal Verbs Section

1. Dress to the nines
Definition: To dress very elegantly or stylishly
Example: She dressed to the nines for the award ceremony.
Question: On what occasions do people usually dress to the nines?
2. Pull something off
Definition: To succeed in doing something difficult or unexpected
Example: He pulled off wearing a bright yellow suit—somehow it worked!
Question: Can you think of a time you pulled something off successfully?
3. Go out of style
Definition: To stop being fashionable or popular
Example: Bell-bottom jeans went out of style in the early 2000s.
Question: What’s something that has gone out of style in your country?
4. Mix and match
Definition: To combine different items to create a unique outfit or result
Example: I like to mix and match old clothes with new pieces.
Question: Do you prefer matching outfits or mixing styles?
 5. Off the rack
Definition: Ready-made clothing, not custom-tailored
Example: Most of what I wear is off the rack from high-street stores.
Question: Have you ever bought something custom-made instead of off the rack?
6. Step out in
Definition: To go out wearing something special or noticeable
Example: She stepped out in a vintage leather jacket.
Question: What’s the last thing you stepped out in that made you feel confident?

Homework Quizzes
Vocabulary Quiz
Part A: Fill in the blanks
1. Many fashion brands are shifting towards __________ fashion to reduce their environmental
impact.
2. A white shirt is a __________ in almost every wardrobe.
3. That brand has a very minimalist __________, with clean lines and neutral colours.
4. In recent years, there’s been a __________ of 1970s fashion.
5. He’s known as a __________—what he wears today, others wear tomorrow.
6. The designer is famous for creating luxurious, custom-made __________ pieces.
7. The __________ of the 1950s often featured cinched waists and full skirts.
Part B: Match the vocabulary to a synonym

Vocabulary Synonym
silhouette a) influencer
staple b) outline
trendsetter c) ethical clothing
revival d) essential
sustainable fashion e) comeback
Idioms/Phrasal Verbs Quiz
Part A: Fill in the blanks
1. She really __________ that bold red dress at the wedding.
2. People rarely __________ in formal suits these days—it’s all business casual.
3. I love clothes that you can __________ easily for different occasions.
4. Some styles never really __________, like denim jackets.
Part B: Define any 2 idioms/phrasal verbs in your own words
1.
 2.

Answer Key
Vocabulary Quiz – Part A:
1. sustainable
2. staple
3. aesthetic
4. revival
5. trendsetter
6. couture
7. silhouette
Vocabulary Quiz – Part B:
• silhouette → b) outline
• staple → d) essential
• trendsetter → a) influencer
• revival → e) comeback
• sustainable fashion → c) ethical clothing
Idioms/Phrasal Verbs Quiz – Part A:
1. pulled off
2. dress to the nines
3. mix and match
4. go out of style
Idioms/Phrasal Verbs Quiz – Part B:
(Open-ended; acceptable answers will paraphrase meanings accurately)