Influence of Global Fashion Trends on Modern Dress

Many aspects of the way people dress today are influenced by global fashion trends. How has global fashion become such a strong influence on people's lives? Do you think this is a positive or negative development?

Annotated response

4 correction notes

Showing 4 correction notes.

In the modern era, people’s clothing choices are increasingly shaped by global fashion trends that spread rapidly across countries. The reasons behind the widespread influence of international fashion are clear, and I believe the overall impact is largely positive.

To begin with, global fashion has become a powerful influence on people’s lives for two main reasons. First, the rise of fast-fashion brands has made trend-driven clothing more accessible than ever. These companies operate on a global scale and manufacture affordable items that reflect the latest styles, allowing individuals from various socioeconomic backgrounds to dress fashionably . As a result, contemporary fashion trends have become more universal and far-reaching. For example, brands like Zara and H&M release new collections every few weeks, young consumers in both developed and developing countries to keep up with global trends at a low cost. Second, the dominance of social media and celebrity culture has significantly amplified . To be specific, platforms such as Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube continually promote new looks, while influencers and celebrities showcase their outfits to millions of followers. Daily exposure to such content shapes people’s perceptions of what is stylish and desirable.

From my perspective, this global fashion movement is largely a positive development. One obvious benefit is that exposure to diverse styles from around the world encourages individuals to experiment with their appearance, fostering a stronger sense of personal identity. Rather than adhering to rigid dress norms, people now have the freedom to express themselves through clothing in ways that feel authentic. For instance, many young people now mix traditional elements, such as Vietnamese

In conclusion, global fashion trends have gained influence mainly due to the accessibility of fast-fashion and the powerful reach of social media, and I think their impact, particularly in boosting creativity and cultural exchange, is generally positive. Therefore, individuals and companies should continue embracing global fashion while promoting sustainable practices, ensuring that creativity and cultural diversity can flourish.

Overall assessment

Why this response received Band 7.5

The response presents a clear position and develops both causes and evaluation with relevant, specific support such as fast-fashion brands and social media. The main limitation is that the essay breaks off mid-sentence, leaving one supporting example incomplete, which slightly weakens overall development despite otherwise fluent and precise language.

IELTS criteria

How each score was decided

Task Response

7.0

The response addresses both parts of the question with a clear positive position and relevant, developed support, though the mid-sentence break means one example is incomplete.

Coherence and Cohesion

7.0

Ideas are logically organised with clear progression and effective use of cohesive devices, although the abrupt truncation interrupts the flow of the second body paragraph.

Lexical Resource

7.5

Vocabulary is flexible and precise, with natural collocations such as trend-driven clothing, amplified fashion's impact, and adhering to rigid dress norms.

Grammatical Range and Accuracy

7.5

A wide range of complex structures is used with good control, including accurate relative clauses and participial phrases, with only minor slips such as subject-verb agreement in 'which enable'.