你是不是也有這樣的經歷：要出門去參加重要活動，可是拿不定主意穿什麼衣服最合適？香奈兒和範思哲等著名服裝設計師們對時尚規則又有什麼樣的說道？ 答案就在本期《隨身英語》裡。
詞彙: fashion 時尚
"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."
詞彙表
casual 休閒的
formal 正式的
flamboyant 豔麗的
demure 端莊的
pattern 圖案，格調
print 印花布
to spin in her grave 震驚
the seal of approval 讚許
edgy 前衛的，時尚的
effortless 毫不費力的
to go funny 發出奇怪的眼神
bulky （襪子）肥厚的
to put a sock in it （不禮貌地）閉上嘴
cleavage （乳）溝
pyjamas 睡衣
trends （時尚）潮流，趨勢
測驗與練習
1. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
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. 請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。
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. 閱讀課文並回答問題。
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. 請你在不參考課文的情況下完成下列練習。選擇一個意思合適的單詞填入句子的空格處。
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.