Many Aspects of the Way People Dress Today Are Influenced by Global Fashion Trends - IELTS Task 2 Sample Essay

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Model Essay 1

In contemporary society, the way people dress is increasingly shaped by global fashion movements rather than local traditions. This growing influence has emerged due to the power of mass media, digital connectivity, and multinational fashion industries. I strongly believe that although global fashion has some drawbacks, its overall impact is positive because it promotes cultural exchange and personal expression, while also democratising access to style. These factors will be explored in detail below.

One major reason global fashion has become so influential is the unprecedented reach of media and technology. Social media platforms, fashion weeks livestreamed worldwide, and celebrity culture allow trends to spread across borders almost instantly. A design worn by a pop star in Paris can be replicated by fast-fashion brands and appear in markets from Dhaka to Lagos within weeks. This constant exposure subtly reshapes consumer preferences, making global trends feel aspirational and socially rewarding. Moreover, multinational brands invest heavily in marketing narratives that associate fashion with success, confidence, and modernity. As a result, clothing choices are no longer purely functional but are tied to identity construction, social status, and belonging in a globalised world.

In my view, this development is largely positive, particularly in terms of inclusivity and cultural exchange. Global fashion enables individuals from diverse backgrounds to experiment with styles that were once inaccessible due to geography or class. For example, affordable international brands allow young people in developing countries to engage with contemporary aesthetics without prohibitive costs. Additionally, fashion today is increasingly hybrid, blending traditional elements with global designs, which can revitalise local crafts rather than erase them. While critics argue that global trends encourage uniformity, this overlooks how consumers actively adapt styles to reflect personal and cultural identities. Therefore, global fashion can empower creativity rather than suppress it, provided consumers remain thoughtful rather than blindly imitative.

In conclusion, global fashion has gained strength through digital media, celebrity influence, and powerful global brands that shape how people see themselves and others. Despite concerns about homogenisation, its benefits—greater access, cultural interaction, and enhanced self-expression—outweigh its limitations. Overall, global fashion represents a constructive force in modern life when embraced critically and creatively.

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Model Essay 2

In the modern world, personal dress choices are increasingly shaped by international fashion currents rather than by local customs or practical needs. This dominance has arisen mainly from globalised production systems and the psychological pressure to conform in a hyper-competitive social environment. I take the view that this is largely a negative development because it fuels excessive consumerism and weakens authentic cultural identity. These two concerns will be examined in the following discussion.

The primary reason global fashion exerts such a powerful influence is the structure of globalised manufacturing and retail itself. Clothing is no longer produced to meet local demand; instead, international brands design trends centrally and distribute them worldwide through tightly controlled supply chains. This means consumers are not choosing styles freely, but selecting from a narrow range of options pre-approved by global corporations. For instance, identical seasonal collections dominate shopping malls in vastly different countries, from Scandinavia to South Asia. Over time, this standardisation trains consumers to perceive these styles as “normal” or “modern,” marginalising alternatives. As a result, fashion becomes less a reflection of individual needs and more an outcome of economic systems designed to maximise scale, speed, and profit.

I believe this influence is harmful because it intensifies consumerism while eroding cultural authenticity. Fast-changing global trends encourage people to view clothing as disposable, leading to frequent purchases driven by fear of appearing outdated rather than genuine need. A teenager may replace perfectly functional clothes simply because last season’s cut is now socially undesirable. More critically, traditional dress is often reduced to ceremonial use, stripped of its everyday relevance. When global fashion defines what is stylish, local aesthetics risk being perceived as backward or unfashionable. This creates a subtle cultural hierarchy in which global trends dominate, and local identity survives only as a symbolic gesture rather than a living practice.

In conclusion, global fashion has gained its influence through centralised production and powerful economic incentives that shape consumer behaviour worldwide. However, this influence comes at a significant cost, promoting wasteful consumption and diluting cultural distinctiveness. On balance, its impact on people’s lives is more damaging than beneficial, as it prioritises uniformity and profit over sustainability and genuine self-expression.

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