Inquiring About Fabric and Care
The customer is interested in the material of the clothing and asks the sales associate about its fabric composition and care instructions.
Dialogue
Listen and follow along with the conversation
Vocabulary
Essential words and phrases from the dialogue
blend
A mix of different materials, like fabrics. In clothing, it means combining two or more types of fibers for better quality, such as 'a cotton blend'. Useful when asking about clothing materials.
silk
A soft, smooth natural fabric made from silkworm threads. It's luxurious but delicate, so special care is needed. Common in dresses and shirts; say 'silk blouse' for a silk top.
modal
A soft, breathable fabric made from beech tree fibers, similar to cotton but more absorbent. It's often blended with other materials for comfort in clothes like t-shirts or dresses.
care instructions
Guidelines on how to clean and maintain clothing, like washing or drying methods. Always check the label; useful phrase: 'What are the care instructions?' when shopping.
machine washable
Can be washed in a washing machine safely. Opposite of delicate items needing hand wash. Ask 'Is it machine washable?' to know if it's easy to care for at home.
hand wash
Washing clothes by hand gently in a basin, not in a machine. Recommended for delicate fabrics to avoid damage. Say 'It requires hand wash' to explain care needs.
dry-cleaned
Professionally cleaned with chemicals at a dry cleaner, not water. Used for suits or silks. Phrase: 'Can it be dry-cleaned?' for items that can't be washed normally.
shrink
When fabric gets smaller after washing or heat, often ruining the fit. Common with cotton or wool. Warn: 'High heat can make it shrink' to advise on drying.
Key Sentences
Important phrases to remember and practice
What's it made of?
A casual way to ask about the material of something, like clothes. Useful in stores to learn fabric composition. 'It' refers to the item; replace with 'this shirt' for specificity. Simple question structure: What + be + subject + made of?
It's a blend of 80% natural silk and 20% modal.
Explains the fabric mix with percentages. 'Blend of' means combination; useful for describing materials. Percentages show proportions. Use this to inform customers about quality and feel.
It feels really soft, doesn't it?
Describes texture and seeks agreement with a tag question 'doesn't it?'. 'Feels' uses sense verb for touch. Useful in sales to engage; tag questions make conversation friendly and confirm opinion.
What are the care instructions for silk and modal?
Asks for washing and care guidelines. 'Care instructions' is key phrase. For specific fabrics, add 'for silk and modal'. Practical for buying delicate clothes to avoid mistakes at home.
Is it machine washable?
Yes/no question about if it can go in a washing machine. 'Machine washable' is a common term on labels. Use this to check ease of care; follow with alternatives if no.
No, it's best to hand wash this one in cold water with a mild detergent.
Gives advice with 'it's best to' for recommendation. 'Hand wash' vs. machine; 'cold water' and 'mild detergent' specify method. Useful response to explain why and how for delicate items.
Lay it flat to dry, away from direct sunlight.
Imperative instruction for drying method. 'Lay it flat' means place horizontally; 'away from' avoids damage. Practical for preventing shrinking; use in care advice for natural fabrics.
Thanks for all the detailed information. That's very helpful!
Polite way to thank and show appreciation. 'Detailed information' means thorough details. Useful at end of shopping talk; builds good customer service rapport.