ESL Clothes Conversation

Being able to talk is an important, and these ESL clothes conversations will give you examples of how natural communication happens. They are also exercises for you to do to practice having conservations about clothes.

There are two example conversations on this page and the 3 exercises. Both of the conversations have been turned into short cartoons for you to watch if you prefer that. If there is any vocabulary that you do not understand you can go to the ESL clothes vocabulary page to find the meanings of many vocabulary items related to clothes.

The 3 ESL clothes conversation exercises are as follows:

• Fill in the blanks in a conversation.
• Write a conversation of your own.
• Conversation topics to use with your friends.

Conversation 1

Situation: Lucy, Tui and Jane are out shopping for a new dress.

Lucy: Come over here Jane and have a look at this dress.
Jane: Oh, yes! It looks lovely. Why don’t you try it on in the fitting room?
Tui: It looks like it will fit you.
Lucy: I better try it on. Last time I bought a dress it was baggy and did not fit properly.
Tui: Let me hold the hanger while you try it on.
Lucy: Thanks, Tui.
Jane: If you need a different size just ask and I will get it for you.
Lucy: What do you think, does it look good?
Tui: Perfect! It fits you and you look very pretty in it.
Jane: I agree, it really suits you, Lucy!
Tui: Why do you want to buy a dress anyway, Lucy?
Lucy: I’m going to my brother’s 30th birthday party and I want to look my best!
Jane: There are some designer dresses over there that look nice as well.
Lucy: I think I will buy this one. Is this dress in the sale?
Tui: Yes, the label says it is 30% off.
Lucy: Great. Let’s go to pay for it, come on.

Conversation 2

Situation: Bob and Andrew are getting ready for a wedding.

Andrew: Are you going to wear a suit, Bob?
Bob: Yes, I am. Why?
Andrew: I’m thinking what outfit I should wear to the wedding ceremony.
Bob: I think a waistcoat looks very smart for attending a wedding. Do you have one?
Andrew: Yes, I do. I also have a matching tie. Look, here it is.
Bob: That looks very smart. I think you should wear that outfit.
Andrew: This shirt needs cufflinks. Do you have some I can borrow?
Bob: Yes I do. Here you go.
Andrew: Thanks Bob. 
Bob: No problem. Don’t forget to wear a coat as it’s supposed to rain today.
Andrew: Yes I know. I will probably take a jumper as well. It is quite cold.
Bob: Are you taking a change of clothes for the party on the evening?
Andrew: Yes, I’ve packed some smart casual clothes for the evening.
Bob: Me, too. Are you ready to go?
Andrew: Just about ready. Thanks for your help. Let’s go to the church.
Bob: You’re welcome, Andrew. Let’s go.

ESL Clothes Conversation Exercises

Once you have understood the conversations and know all the clothes vocabulary you should try to do the following 3 ESL clothes conversation exercises that will help you learn how to have a conversation.

Exercise 1 – Fill in the Blanks

In this ESL clothes conversation exercise you need to fill in the gaps in the following conversation by choosing the correct option (A-D) from the 5 questions. When you have finished, click the get score button to see how well you did.

Situation: Patrick is shopping for some new trainers and a jumper.

Assistant: Good morning. What are you looking to buy?
Patrick: I need____(1)_____, a pair of jeans and some underwear.
Assistant: Ok, sir. ________(2)________.
Patrick: I’m not sure in UK size, I think size 9.
Assistant: Try these on to see if they fit you.
Patrick: They fit perfectly thank you.
Assistant: Ok, you are size 9.
Patrick: Do you have many jeans in stock?
Assistant: Yes, all the jeans are at the back of the store. ________(3)_________.
Patrick: Yes. I am a 32 inch waist and I usually buy boot cut jeans.
Assistant: All the boot cut jeans are in the left corner of the shop.
Patrick: Thank you. You have been very helpful.
Assistant: Not a problem. Is there anything else I can assist you with?
Patrick: Oh, there is one thing. ________(4)______________.
Assistant: Yes, we have a small designer section. It’s next to the shoe department.
Patrick: Thanks. You’ve been very helpful.
Assistant: _____(5)_______

ESL Clothes Conversation

Choose the best option (A-D) in the following five questions to fill in the blanks in the clothes conversation given above.

1) Which option is the best to fill in the first blank?

    A) A new hat
    B) Some new trainers
    C) A new pair of socks
    D) A new shirt

2) Which option is the best to fill in the second blank?

    A) What type of shoe do you need?
    B) What size shoes do you take?
    C) Do you need a new pair of shoes?
    D) How many pairs of jeans do you want?

3) Which option is the best to fill in the third blank?

    A) Sorry, we don’t sell jeans.
    B) We only have trousers.
    C) We don’t have many in stock.
    D) Do you know your waist size?

4) Which option is the best to fill in the fourth blank?

    A) Do you have section with designer clothes?
    B) Do you have a swimwear section?
    C) Can I pay by credit card?
    D) Can I keep the hangers?

5) Which option is the best to fill in the fifth blank?

    A) I will try my best to help.
    B) How can I help?
    C) Do you need help with anything else?
    D) You are welcome.

Score =

Correct answers:

Exercise 2 – Write a Conversation

In this ESL clothes conversation exercise you need to write a conversation yourself. It should be similar to the examples above. You need to decide who the participants will be, where it is set and what the people will say to each other. Once you have finished you should find a friend, or several friends, so you can perform the conversation.

Exercise 3 – Conversation Topics

This exercise has two sets of 5 questions about clothes. You should use them to have a conversation with someone. One person takes set A and the other person takes set B, then you take turns asking each other questions. Once you have finished you can swap the questions and have the conversation again. Give long answers and reasons for your choices; the more you speak the better you will get.

You can also download the questions on conversation cards by clicking the following picture.

There are lots more conversation questions in my ‘80 ESL Conversation Cards’ ebook for you to download.

Question set A

• Do you think the clothes someone wears are important?
• What are your favourite clothes to wear?
• How many clothes do you have?
• Do you like to wear bright or dark clothes?
• Do you spend a lot of money buying clothes?

Question set B

• Do you prefer to wear smart or casual clothes?
• Would you like to work in a clothes shop, why?
• How often do you change the clothes you wear?
• What are the most comfortable clothes to wear?
• Do the clothes you wear change how you feel?

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