IELTS Speaking · Part 2 Cue Card
Describe a piece of clothing you like to wear
A complete preparation guide: the cue card itself, a 60-second prep framework, a band 7.5 sample answer, topic vocabulary, and likely Part 3 follow-up questions.
Cue card
Describe a piece of clothing you particularly like to wear.
You should say:
- •What it is
- •When you got it
- •How often you wear it
- •And explain why you like it
How to use your 1 minute of prep time
Specific to this cue card — not generic advice.
- 1Pick a single piece, not 'my style'.
- 2Use specific clothing vocabulary: cut, fabric, lining, hem, fit.
- 3Tie it to occasions or weather where you wear it.
- 4Don't focus on price; focus on fit, story, or feeling.
Sample answer (band 7.5)
Read it once for shape, then aloud for rhythm. Don't memorise it — examiners can tell.
The piece of clothing I most enjoy wearing is an oversized navy linen shirt I bought on holiday in Vietnam about five years ago. It's lightweight, slightly wrinkled, and has wooden buttons rather than plastic ones, which is one of the reasons I picked it. I bought it from a small tailor in Hoi An who altered the cut on the spot to make it slightly looser at the waist. I wear it about twice a week in the warmer months, usually with jeans or shorts, and almost always when I want to feel pulled together without trying too hard. In winter I sometimes layer it under a heavier jacket, which gives a colour break at the collar. The reason I like it isn't fashion — I'm honestly not very fashion-conscious. It's that the fabric has aged well; linen gets softer the more you wash it, and after five years it feels almost like I've broken it in properly. There's also the holiday association. Every time I put it on I get a small flicker of that week in Hoi An, walking around the old town in the evenings with the lanterns lit. Most of my clothes are utilitarian; this one carries memory.
Topic vocabulary & collocations
Phrases used in the sample answer that lift fluency naturally.
altered the cut
adjusted the shape of the garment
on the spot
right then and there
pulled together
looking neat and intentional
broken it in
worn it until it fits perfectly
small flicker of
brief sense or memory of
carries memory
evokes a past experience
Likely Part 3 follow-up questions
The examiner will move from your story (Part 2) to broader, abstract questions (Part 3). Prepare answers for these.
- How does the way people dress vary by region in your country?
- Why has fast fashion become so popular?
- Should companies have stricter rules about what employees wear?
- Has the way young people dress changed in recent years?
- Should schools require uniforms?
Common pitfalls on this card
- ⚠Choosing a brand you barely wear, just because it sounds impressive.
- ⚠Generic 'I love jeans because they're comfortable'.
- ⚠Skipping the 'how often you wear it' bullet entirely.