Wardrobe dilemma 面对衣橱的困惑

随身英语 Wardrobe dilemma 面对衣橱的困惑  

Play audio file 你是不是也有这样的经历：要出门去参加重要活动，可是拿不定主意穿什么衣服最合适？香奈儿和范思哲等著名服装设计师们对时尚规则又有什么样的说道？ 答案就在本期《随身英语》里。

课文内容 词汇: fashion 时尚

"I have nothing to wear!" You might have said to yourself, feeling slightly distressed, wardrobe door wide open, hours before going to a party or important event. Casual or formal? Is this too flamboyant? Should I look more demure?

How strictly should we follow fashion rules?  'Never mix patterns' is one of them. Clashing prints might make Coco Chanel spin in her grave but gets the seal of approval of some stylists nowadays.

"It's edgy," says Martine Alexander, adviser to British TV actresses. "Matching everything makes you look like you've tried too hard. Style should look effortless."

Well, just be careful not to make people's eyes go funny when they look at you, I say.

Men have the issue of white socks. "Unless you're exercising there is absolutely no appropriate moment to wear white socks," says Alex Bilmes, editor of the men's magazine Esquire. And he adds: "These types of rules exist to make sure fashion innocents don't make such a bad mistake."

We all know that white socks are usually bulky and may look cheap. But there's a long British tradition of men wearing socks with sandals so… Maybe critics should put a sock in it and let us wear what we are comfortable with.

When you look a particular way you are sending a message about yourself. It's not a good idea to go to a job interview wearing shorts or showing too much cleavage. Or going to the market in your pyjamas. But, whatever you wear, do it with confidence.

Designer Gianni Versace said it all: "Don't be into trends. Don't make fashion own you, but you decide what you are, and what you want to express, by the way you dress and the way you live."

词汇表 casual  休闲的

formal  正式的

flamboyant  艳丽的

demure  端庄的

pattern  图案，格调

print  印花布

to spin in her grave  震惊

the seal of approval  赞许

edgy  前卫的，时尚的

effortless  毫不费力的

to go funny  发出奇怪的眼神

bulky  （袜子）肥厚的

to put a sock in it  （不礼貌地）闭上嘴

cleavage  （乳）沟

pyjamas  睡衣

trends  （时尚）潮流，趋势

测验与练习 1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. True or false? Coco Chanel is famous for disliking matching patterns.

2.  According to stylist Martine Alexander, what's the key thing about having style?  

3.  Who is the editor of the men's magazine Esquire referring to when he says "fashion innocents"?

4.  Does the author think people should wear white socks whenever they like?

5. What did Gianni Versace mean when he said: "Don't make fashion own you"? 

2.  请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处 。

1. Go and change, my son. Your granny's funeral is not the place for wearing __________ clothes. 

formal     edgy     casual     bulky

2. I shouldn't have eaten yesterday's leftovers. My stomach is __________. 

spinning in its grave     going funny     effortless     trying too hard

3. Your hat looks like... a lobster. That's a very __________ hat!

demure     formal     casual     flamboyant

4. When going for a job interview you should choose formal clothes. Why don't you wear __________?

your pyjamas     a suit     white socks     cleavage

5. My coat doesn't fit. This sweater is very __________. 

bulky     edgy     cheap     traditional

答案 1.  阅读课文并回答问题。

1. True or false? Coco Chanel is famous for disliking matching patterns.

False. According to the article, the late French designer disliked clashing prints.

2. According to stylist Martine Alexander, what's the key thing about having style?

The British stylist says it has to look effortless.

3. Who is the editor of the men's magazine Esquire referring to when he says "fashion innocents"?

He is referring to people he thinks are too naive and ignorant when it comes to what is fashionable and wear things the editor finds unfashionable.

4. Does the author think people should wear white socks whenever they like?

Yes. The author suggests that people who criticise those who like to wear white socks, even when not exercising, should be quiet.

5. What did Gianni Versace mean when he said: "Don't make fashion own you"?

The late Italian designer meant that people should not feel obliged to follow fashion trends. They should wear what they like.

2.  请你在不参考课文的情况下完成下列练习。选择一个意思合适的单词填入句子的空格处 。

1. Go and change, my son. Your granny's funeral is not the place for wearing casual clothes.

2. I shouldn't have eaten yesterday's leftovers. My stomach is going funny.

3. Your hat looks like... a lobster. That's a very flamboyant hat!

4. When going for a job interview you should choose formal clothes. Why don't you wear a suit?

5. My coat doesn't fit. This sweater is very bulky.