AEE 2342: Connect Over Fashion Revivals: What is Hanfu?

Summary

All Ears English Podcast: Episode 2342 Summary Title: Connect Over Fashion Revivals: What is Hanfu? Release Date: January 20, 2025 Hosts: Aubrey Carter and Lindsay McMahon

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Introduction

In Episode 2342 of the All Ears English Podcast, hosts Aubrey Carter and Lindsay McMahon delve into the fascinating world of fashion revivals, with a special focus on the traditional Chinese attire known as Hanfu. Released on January 20, 2025, this episode explores how historical fashion trends resurface in modern times and offers English learners valuable vocabulary and conversational strategies to discuss these topics fluently.

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Current Fashion Revivals

The episode begins with the hosts discussing contemporary fashion trends making a comeback. Lindsay observes the resurgence of wide leg jeans, a style predominant in the mid-1990s, noting its popularity among younger generations.

Lindsay (01:50): "Oh, for sure. Specifically, I think about the wide leg jeans. You know, when I see people in very wide leg jeans, maybe at the mall or anywhere. I think 1995, 1994, you know, totally right."

Aubrey reminisces about the transition from skinny jeans to the current baggy styles, highlighting the generational shift in fashion preferences.

Aubrey (02:36): "I feel like this comes up a ton in conversation with my parents, coworkers, friends because it's surprising when we see something come back that we expected to be gone forever."

The hosts also touch upon the unexpected revival of Crocs, questioning their enduring popularity among teenagers and young kids.

Aubrey (02:16): "And also Crocs. Did you ever wear Crocs? That's never all kids wear. Now they're like these rubber shoes, plastic."

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Generational Perspectives on Fashion Trends

A significant portion of the discussion centers around how fashion trends span across different generations. Aubrey shares her experiences of discussing these trends with her parents and coworkers, emphasizing the surprise and nostalgia that often accompany such conversations.

Aubrey (03:06): "They'll sometimes there'll be a trend. I'm like, really? I did not expect that to come back. So it's such a fun conversation."

Lindsay expresses her personal preference for skinny jeans, despite their current lack of popularity, illustrating how individual style choices can differ from prevailing trends.

Lindsay (03:18): "I just don't find them very flattering on my body. You know, I'm not very tall and I just need like tighter fitting clothing, you know, so it's so tricky."

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Hanfu: Traditional Chinese Clothing Revival

The conversation transitions to a deeper exploration of Hanfu, a traditional Chinese garment experiencing a modern revival. Aubrey introduces Hanfu as a beautiful, flowing robe that signifies respect for cultural traditions.

Aubrey (04:51): "Young people are actively embracing and wearing traditional Hanfu clothing in China. And this is awesome. I saw some pictures of them. They're beautiful. These really beautiful flowing robes."

Lindsay elaborates on the significance of Hanfu, highlighting its intricate designs and historical importance spanning over three millennia.

Lindsay (05:28): "I love that idea. To really respect history and show a love for it."

The hosts emphasize the importance of understanding and describing traditional clothing in English, introducing key vocabulary to facilitate such discussions.

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Key Vocabulary and Phrases

To enhance listeners' ability to discuss fashion revivals in English, Aubrey and Lindsay introduce and explain several essential terms and phrases:

1. Back in Style (09:44)

   • Definition: Refers to something that was once popular but had fallen out of trend and is now fashionable again.
   • Example: "Crocs are back in style. I see them everywhere."

2. All the Rage (10:04)

   • Definition: Extremely trendy or popular.
   • Example: "Plaid button-up shirts are all the rage among high school students."

3. Go Full Circle (13:23)

   • Definition: Returning to the original position or condition after a series of changes.
   • Example: "Hairstyles have really gone full circle; everything from my youth is trendy again."

4. Bring Back (14:25)

   • Definition: To make something popular again.
   • Example: "I hope designers bring back neon colors. They’re so fun."

Additionally, the hosts introduce the adjective "elaborate" to describe complex and intricate designs, particularly in traditional clothing.

Aubrey (06:23): "Elaborate means fancy, intricate."

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Role Play Demonstration

To provide practical application of the introduced vocabulary, Aubrey and Lindsay engage in a role-play scenario where they discuss current fashion trends using the new phrases.

Aubrey: "Do you think these shoes are out of fashion? They're so comfortable, but maybe a bit outdated."
Lindsay: "Oh, no, I think those are back in style. It's hard to keep up these days, but I feel like shoes always go full circle."

This demonstration not only reinforces the vocabulary but also models natural conversational flow for learners.

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Conclusion and Takeaways

The episode concludes with Aubrey and Lindsay highlighting the importance of connecting through shared interests in fashion. Discussing fashion revivals serves as an excellent way to engage in meaningful conversations, share cultural insights, and practice English fluency.

Aubrey (18:24): "It's about that connection moment. Anytime you find a moment where people are experiencing the same thing as you, whether it's fashion or lifestyle trends, things like that go into that."

Key Takeaways:

• Understanding and using phrases like "back in style," "all the rage," "go full circle," and "bring back" can enhance your ability to discuss fashion trends naturally in English.
• Fashion revivals offer a bridge between generations, providing opportunities to connect and share cultural experiences.
• Embracing both historical and modern trends enriches cultural appreciation and language proficiency.

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Final Thoughts

Episode 2342 of the All Ears English Podcast offers listeners an engaging exploration of fashion revivals, enriched with practical English language lessons. By focusing on cultural trends like Hanfu and contemporary styles, hosts Aubrey and Lindsay provide valuable insights and conversational tools for English learners aiming to discuss fashion with confidence and fluency.

For more episodes and resources, visit AllEarsEnglish.com.

Transcript

[A]

This is an allers English podcast. Episode 2342. Connect over fashion revivals. What is Han Fu?

[B]

Welcome to the All Ears English podcast, downloaded more than 200 million times. Are you feeling stuck with your English? We'll show you how to become fearless and fluent by focusing on connection, not perfection. With your American host, Aubrey Carter, the Ielts whiz and Lindsey McMahon, the English adventurer, coming to you from Arizona and Colorado, usa. And to get your transcripts delivered by email every week, go to allearsenglish.com subscribe Are you seeing the latest fashion revivals happening? The 90s are back. Listen in today to get one example of a fashion trend in China that's coming back and learn how to talk about these revivals in English.

[C]

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[B]

Hey there, Aubry. How's everything going today?

[A]

I am great, Lindsay. I have a question for you.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

We are talking about fashion trends today. Have you noticed any, anything that's coming back around fashion wise right now?

[B]

Oh, for sure. Specifically, I think about the wide leg jeans. You know, when I see people in very wide leg jeans, maybe at the mall or anywhere. I think 1995, 1994, you know, totally right.

[A]

For a long time we wore skinny jeans or at least straight leg. And now they're like big baggy jeans. Like I remember those from high school. And now that's what my kids want to wear.

[B]

I know, it's so funny. What about you? Have you noticed anything else that's coming back?

[A]

Those for sure. And also Crocs. Did you ever wear Crocs? That's never all kids wear. Now they're like these rubber shoes, plastic. What are crocs even made of? But. And they're all with the croc pins. I'm curious, you guys out there listening if crocs are super popular where you live? I feel like that's all teenagers and young kids want to wear right now.

[B]

Yeah. And this is something that comes up a lot. It comes up sometimes across generations. Do you have that conversation with your kids? Like when your kids are like, look at these cool wide leg jeans. They're so new. And then you're like, they're not new.

[A]

Absolutely. I feel like this comes up a ton in conversation with my parents, co workers, friends because it's surprising when we see something come back that we expected to be gone forever. Right. They'll. Sometimes there'll be a trend. I'm like, really? I did not expect that to come back. So it's such a fun conversation.

[B]

Yeah. Personally, I'm holding out for skinny jeans to come back soon because I'm not planning on getting rid of my skinny jeans. I think we, I think we talked about this recently on the show, but I just, I'm a slow adopter. A lag.

[A]

I have switched to like straight leg jeans, but I can't do super baggy. I don't like the mom jeans look. I would love for skinny jeans to come back too. Yeah.

[B]

I just don't find them very flattering on my body. You know, I'm not very tall and I just need like tighter fitting clothing, you know, so it's so tricky.

[A]

Like I want the trends that are best for my body type. Can we just do that, please?

[B]

I know, it's weird. It's weird. So anyways, this is such a key connection topic. Whether it's cross generational with your kids, with your parents, whether it's with your peers, your friends, your co workers, we can start a conversation very quickly and easily about these changing fashion trends.

[A]

Everyone will have something to say, everyone's interested, everyone's noticed some trend that has come back. So this is a great way to connect in English and it's also a great way to share your culture. If you're talking to someone from a different culture, they probably have very different trends that they knew when they were younger. And so it's fun to find out about your friends cultures. Right.

[B]

Because sometimes fashion can be based on history as well. We're going to get into an interesting example in just a minute, but first, Aubrey, we got to hit that follow follow button. Why should we hit follow on allers English?

[A]

Absolutely. If you don't hit follow, you might be missing great episodes. We publish five episodes every week and if you hit follow, they'll drop right into your queue so that you have them and don't miss any of our amazing content.

[B]

Yeah. Especially because we're in January now and we really want to make sure we set up the right habits. Learning is all about habits. So let us be part of your morning or evening habit. Hit that follow button and we'll bring you five episodes a week. All right. Pretty good.

[A]

Awesome. So, yes, we're excited to dive into a really interesting example about a fashion trend coming back. Right. Young people are actively embracing and wearing traditional honu clothing in China. And this is awesome. I saw some pictures of the. They're beautiful. These really beautiful flowing robes.

[B]

Yeah. Amazing. I. I wish that our culture had such respect for the past. You know, I feel like many cultures, older cultures around the world, older, you know, civilizations do have more respect and tend to bring things from the past more.

[A]

Agree. I feel like when something like this hu. Comes back, it really does show respect for traditions for, you know, maybe what you have a picture of your grandmother wearing. I love that idea. To really respect history and. And show a love for it.

[B]

Yes. And so it would be good to be able to describe, you know, aspects of traditional clothing in English. And this is not just for specifically Han fu, but for anyone that wants to describe fabrics and the way fabrics look, feel. These are key vocabulary words that we're going to learn today, right?

[A]

Yes. Because if you want to talk about this and someone says, oh, you know, I'm unfamiliar. What. What is that? What is Hanfu clothing? Then you would need some vocab. You could say that it's a very flowing fabric, lightweight, flowing fabrics and a wraparound robe. So that means a fabric that wraps all the way around and often attaches.

[B]

Yes. And I love this word, elaborate. So we can say it includes elaborate headpieces. Elaborate means what, Aubry?

[A]

Yeah. So fancy, intricate. It definitely is going to be there maybe multiple pieces or lots of different fabrics or, you know, maybe feathers. I imagine I. I could see someone calling headpieces from the 20s in the US elaborate. Right?

[B]

Yeah, sure.

[A]

You wear them to a party and there's big feathers. They're beautiful and really impressive. Yeah. Elaborate's a great adjective.

[B]

The twenties would have been a very cool time to be around. It would have been my top. One of my top three choices. Really interesting time, you know, kind of right before the Great Depression hit and people were just loving life, you know.

[A]

Right. That's why I want to see that flapper look come back like kung fu clothing has. Right. Because this is interesting when you see something experience like a fashion revival like this, especially among young people, like you said, Lindsay, not only is it in embracing our history, but it's going to dictate what trends become popular from there on out. Right. Everything is sort of like a ripple, and then. And then what is popular in 10, 20 years will be Affected. So that's kind of cool. When we see these trends come back.

[B]

Yeah. We can call this kind of a fashion revival. Right. And often there's a new flare on the old piece of clothing. Right. Often it's not just wearing the exact same thing. There are changes that are happening that. That, you know, designers are putting to kind of a spin off a little bit.

[A]

Absolutely. Their own take on it. Right. To make it a little unique, which is always fun to see these little changes. Yeah.

[B]

I love it.

[A]

You know, our country is a lot younger than China. Obviously, we don't have such a rich. We don't have anything as old as Hanfu. This because Hanfu comprises all traditional clothing classifications of the Han Chinese. Okay. With a. I mean, they have a recorded history of what, more than three millennia? So for us, it's like something came back from the 1980s, the 1990s, and we're thinking of this as a trend coming back. It's almost mind blowing to think that a fashion trend could come back from so long ago.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. I love. But is there anything that we can speak of in terms of revival? We talked to the top of the show about the baggy je. Look. Yo. The 90s was all about baggy jeans, the skaters, and other ways of wearing your clothing loose. I remember I used to cut. I'm sure you probably did this too, Aubrey. I used to cut my jeans at the bottom and try to fray them.

[A]

Even though they were brand new. Yes. Or peg. You remember pegging pants where you would like, because before they were skinny jeans, we would turn them into skinny jeans by, like.

[B]

Right.

[A]

Folding them up.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

So funny. I haven't seen that come back. But we have had some fashion revivals, for sure. We've seen a lot of these 90s trends coming back. Eight trends. Sometimes I'll see someone wearing neon, like a neon on a T shirt. I'm like, oh, 80s are coming back.

[B]

Yeah. Oh, gosh. That's why I love skiing these days. These days, the neon ski suit, Aubrey, is back in style, and it is awesome.

[A]

That's amazing. I actually love that I need to go skiing just to see some neon.

[B]

It is great entertainment. You'll see a woman in, like, all neon pink. The whole thing is neon pink or neon yellow. It's just great. So funny. So I mean, this is the connection skill for today. Right. Each of us has a different culture and a. We're having fashion revivals from different eras. But how do we talk about it? So those are. This is going to be our Key takeaway and our key skill we're going to learn in the episode.

[A]

Yes. And we are going to share four terms that you will need for these conversations. Right. To talk about fashion revivals, trends that are coming back. And our first one is to say something is back in style. Right? This talks. It's describing something that was popular but then was not trendy for a while and now it's back.

[B]

Yeah. For example, it seems like Crocs are back in style. I see them everywhere.

[A]

Accurate.

[B]

Yeah, yeah.

[A]

Or plaid button up shirts are back in style. I think they were all the rage when I was in high school. And this is a fun bonus. All the rage, which means extremely trendy, extremely popular.

[B]

Yes. Write that down, listeners. Great bonus for today. All the rage. People love it. Then, of course, things go out of fashion. They become no longer trendy. Like skinny jeans are out of fashion, but I still wear them and I'm the same way.

[A]

Totally.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Right, Chris, it's funny how teenagers, right, they're wanting to be very trendy, at least in the U.S. but old, you know, once you're 30, 40, you don't care quite as much about being some people, like myself, you know, so we might still wear skinny jeans even though they're out of fashion, and we might just admit it and wear it as a badge of pride.

[B]

As long as you don't mind your kids coming home and saying, mom, why are you wearing those jeans? Right.

[A]

Yeah, they might, right. I don't know. Kids, I think, expect their parents to be out of style, out of fashion, right? They're like, they, they want to be trendy, but they don't care if their parents one.

[B]

No, I, I feel the same way. When I was a kid, I didn't expect or really want my mom to be in fashion. That would be kind of strange.

[A]

In my head, I would almost prefer her to look out of fashion.

[B]

Oh, that's so funny. What else? Another, another sample sentence.

[A]

Yeah. You might say, you know, if you're trying on a dress, you might say, do you like this dress? Or do you think it's out of fashion? Especially if you're pulling it from your closet, right? You've got decades of clothing. Maybe you're like, ooh, is this out of fashion? Or can I still get away with wearing it? It.

[B]

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[A]

Way. Yes, this one's much more flexible, right? It's go full circle. So it's like after a long series of events or changes, then you're back to the same situation you started with. So you could definitely use it with fashion and say, or. Or hairstyles. You could say, we've really gone full circle with hairstyles. Everything that was popular when my mom was young is trendy again. Yeah, but I love that you mentioned that, Lindsay. It's not just about fashion, right?

[B]

Well, I actually think we should do another episode just on this concept of full circle and explain all the scenarios that native speakers do say this. Because we say it quite a bit and it's like you connect the dots and then you say this and maybe there's a little laughter and recognition of what you've said. You've been on a journey, right?

[A]

Absolutely. And yeah, we use this a lot in Business English as well. So be sure that you're following here and also on business English, because that might be an episode we planned for the Business English podcast.

[B]

All right, you. So open your search bar, everyone, and type in Business English and hit the full button over there so you don't miss that episode. All right, good Good. Number four. What's the fourth? Aubry, Bring back.

[A]

So this is a way of saying make trendy again. Like I could say, I hope they bring back neon colors. I think they're so fun. It sounds like they are bringing back neon colors on the ski slopes.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Sometimes I wonder who's they? I mean, I guess obviously it's fashion designers of the world, you know, the New York Fashion Week. But how do they. Who just wakes up one day and says, I want the 90s back. Right. And then everyone follows. Who is they? Right.

[A]

Yeah. Often I feel with slang, I feel like they as teenagers. Right. Adopting lingo, but with trends. Yeah, It's a lot of. It is probably the fashion world dictating what's trendy.

[B]

Yeah. Interesting. Okay, and then another sample sentence. Teenagers are bringing back 90s trends. Okay, Aubry, should we dive right into a role play?

[A]

Let's do it. You and I are discussing current fashion trends in this. I'll start us out.

[B]

Okay.

[A]

Do you think these shoes are out of fashion? They're so comfortable, but maybe a bit outdated.

[B]

Oh, no, I think those are back in style. It's hard to keep up these days, but I feel like shoes always go full circle.

[A]

I think you're right. Well, if they're not trendy, I say bring them back.

[B]

I don't usually pay attention to trends that are all the rage. I just want to be comfortable.

[A]

That's so me. I'm like, I don't care. I just want to be comfortable.

[B]

Yeah. Or I think for me, I tend. Oh, I actually bought a core, you know. Do you know Queer Eye? The show Queer Eyes? So you know Tan on Queer Eyes? He's my favorite. He's fantastic. I love him so much. I bought one of his courses. I think it was on Coursera or one of the other course platforms on fashion, actually.

[A]

Oh, that's awesome.

[B]

One of the things that he teaches in this course is get your. Your. Your stable pieces, your classics, and build your. Your whole wardrobe around your classic. So a good leather jacket, a really nice high end pair of jeans that are so comfortable. White shirts. Like, like the classics. Right.

[A]

That's good advice. Right. And then you can build from there if you want to accessorize. Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah. Yeah. Anyways, I recommend tan's fashion advice. He's fantastic.

[A]

So he definitely knows more than we do.

[B]

Oh, he's great. All right. So should we go back through this?

[A]

Yes. I started with, do you think these shoes are out of fashion? So I've pulled a pair of shoes from My closet. I'm like, you think I could still wear these, or are they too outdated?

[B]

Yeah, that was good. And then I said, no, I think those are back in style. It's hard to keep up these days, but I feel like shoes always go full circle. One of the many things that always goes full circle.

[A]

It's so true, right? Some things, like Converse, I feel like never went out of style, but some shoes do and then come back like Doc Martens or Crocs. So, yeah, back in style definitely implies that they were out of style for a while. They weren't trendy, but now they're back.

[B]

Yeah. And the worst is when there's a trend and you want to be able to wear it because you think it's cute, but you just can't, for whatever reason, fit your body into it. I used to love Converse. I used to want so badly to wear Converse when I lived in New York. And I tried, but I created lots of problems with my feet because they're so narrow. Converse are super narrow.

[A]

Your feet are too wide.

[B]

I just couldn't wear Converse after that. But I was heartbroken.

[A]

Converse are really narrow. That's true.

[B]

Yeah, it's true. All right. And then you said, aubrey, I think you're right. Well, if they're not trendy, I say bring them back. Yes.

[A]

Yeah. So this is kind of funny, right? This is. Who's they? Who's them? Whoever they are, I want them to bring this back.

[B]

Yeah, for sure. What else? What else?

[A]

And then you said, I usually don't pay attention to trends that are all the rage. This was our bonus. Meaning extremely popular and trendy would say it's all the rage.

[B]

Yeah. But if we just come away with just that phrase today, we will have really gained some natural native English to use right away. Right, Aubrey?

[A]

Absolutely right. This is so vital. It's such a great connection, skill sharing and teaching others about, you know, your culture and trends that have come and gone. What a fun way to connect in English.

[B]

Yeah. What's our takeaway? Any. Anything else? I mean, that's really it, right, Aubry? It's. It's about that connection moment. And anytime you find a moment where people are experiencing the same thing as you, whether it's fashion or lifestyle trends, things like that go into that, right?

[A]

Absolutely.

[B]

Yeah.

[A]

Spark a conversation, chat about it. It's interesting. Everyone's interested about these trends that are coming and going, and if you. Whoever you're talking to, if you come from a different. Right. Maybe you are interested in Hanfu clothing or you've worn it before. Whoever you're talking to will be interested in these cultural differences. So use it to connect.

[B]

I love it. Good stuff, Aubry. Well, you have a nice day. I'll talk to you soon.

[A]

Awesome. You too. Bye Bye.

[B]

Bye bye. Thanks for listening. To all ears English. Would you like to know your English level? Take our two minute quiz. Go to allearsenglish.com forward/fluency score. And if you believe in connection, not perfection, then hit subscribe now to make sure you don't miss anything. See you next time.