Tuesday, October 20, 2009

TOEFL essay

It is important to keep up with the latest fashions.

There are a lot of people who point out that fashion is a way of communicating with others and, to some extent, a nonverbal symbolism of external expression. They act like fashion industry agents, which use all possible methods to convince us that it is important to keep up with the latest fashion. In my opinion, we should not follow the latest trends in fashion and spend our time and money satisfying the greedy interests of the fashion industry.

First, if we all try to keep up with the latest fashion trends it creates a situation in which everyone is wearing the clothing of the same style and color. We may lose our individuality when trying to fit in with the crowd. The latest fashion threatens our creativity and personality. The latest trends simply stifle our way of thinking. Moreover, we should all bear in mind that the very aim of the fashion industry is not to teach us style, but to trick us into buying “fashionable” things--things that may not make you beautiful, but will definitely add some unnecessary expense to your budget.

Secondly, the fashion industry often relies on leather, fur, and other animal products. Many people prefer clothes made from these natural materials. However, they should not forget that they become accomplices in killing of animals when buying a leather jacket, a fur coat, or a pearl necklace. When you purchase such products you also create demand for them and thus encourage the murder of rare and helpless animals.

In conclusion, we should not succumb to temptation to keep up with the latest fashion trends. It does not make sense to abandon your own style and follow a trend just because everyone around you keeps saying you must do it. We should be aware of the fact that the fashion industry is a danger to the environment. You should wear clothes that look good on you and that suit you best. You should keep away from the latest fashion and preserve your own uniqueness.