Materials, sizes and things

Materials: cotton (from the cotton plant), wool (from sheep), silk (from silkworms), leather (from animal skin), flannel (a soft cloth made of wool or cotton) and polyester (an artificial fibre). In a description we put the words in this order: size, colour, material, noun: “a small red cotton T-shirt”, “a long blue silk dress”. Useful shop phrases: the assistant offers help (“Can I help you?”) and asks “What size do you take?” — “Size 38, I think.” You can ask “Can I try it on, please?” After trying it on say “It fits” (the size is right) or “It doesn’t suit me” (it does not look good on me). Fit means the size is right; suit means the colour or style looks good on you. Decision: “I’ll take it” or “I prefer that blue one.”