TEOFL iBT Writing for an Academic Discussion Is fashion and clothing important? (Revised)

Some people argue that investing effort and money in dressing fashionably and attractively is important. Others believe that spending resources on clothes is unnecessary and that money and effort should be better utilized elsewhere. Given these perspectives, do you think fashion and clothing are important, and why?

 

 

 

☆Let’s Think

Which do you spend more of your discretionary money, pocket money, on, dressing fashionable and attractively or other activities like hanging out with your friends or buying books? Why?

 

 

☆Hints for Points

The first view (fashion)

1.       We communicate partly by how we dress, and to dress yourself fashionably is to show others your good will and to get a good impression about you from others.

 

2.       In capitalism, fancy attire means wealth, which is supposed to earn respect. In this materialistic mindset, people judge you by your appearance, especially how you embellish yourself with clothing and other materials.

 

3.       Enjoying fashion is enjoying life. You have to respect and take care of yourself, and naturally you will be conscious of fashion. You have to make a decision on what to wear seriously and try to enjoy embellishing yourself as part of this philosophy.

 

4.       How you dress shows your identity. The choice gives you a sense of belonging to a certain group of people who enjoy the same type of fashion. Thus, you have to take it seriously to spend some amount of money on clothes.

 

The second view (other things)

1.       As the saying goes, you cannot judge a book by its cover. What counts more is one’s personality, not what he or she wears. Money and energy should be spent on self-improvement. A good appearance will follow later naturally with or without fancy outfit. 

 

2.       Fashion seems to be just another factor to make life colorful like art and music that is not necessarily the priority in individual lives.

 

3.       Fashion is not eternal. Its trend changes every year. You should be focused more on something that lasts forever such as arts, science, or political actions.

 

4.       Fashion is part of the industry or the economic activity. Advertisements make many of us buy more than what we need. Spending much money on fashion is a result of brainwashing of consumerism.

 

 

☆Sample Response

【Thesis】Although I know the sentiment relating to being dressed well and high spirit it arouses in you that Emma points out, I agree with Tim in terms of the importance of expanding your horizon.

【Supporting Details】As far as I know, knowledge of fashion is inversely proportional to how interesting the person is. Most people who are dressed extremely well and utter various brand names talk about little else. On the other hand, people who never make others bored with their talks full of knowledge and experiences are often dressed plainly, some in a very cool way even though they wear no brand names.

【Counterargument-treatment】Of course, fashion is part of culture, even regarded as an art, and so there are pandits who are also dressed gorgeously. However, fashion is merely a part of their education, a result of spending their resources on learning other more significant things like history, literature, music, and fine art. They have never prioritized fashion in their lives. To do so is to put the cart before the horse.

【Conclusion】Therefore, I believe that to invest resources in improving your inner self is more important than to pathologically pursue fashion trends. (192 words)