Character clothes description

[DeviousColony69]

Any of you guy know how to describe a character's clothing? I want to describe one for my character but I don't have any idea how to start one.

 

[RepresentingWrath]

Google types of "clothes name."

 

[Snowyflakes]

Google types of "clothes name."

I think he wanted to know how to actually describe a piece of clothing without boring the reader and conveying his exact mental image.

Any of you guy know how to describe a character's clothing? I want to describe one for my character but I don't have any idea how to start one.

Although, I don't have any idea. I hate clothing descriptions. I try to avoid them like diseases. Edit: However, maybe this would help:

How to Describe Clothing in a Story (with Examples) | Now Novel

Learn how to describe clothing in a story to add bold characterization and show characters' status, moods and more.

www.nownovel.com

 

[RepresentingWrath]

I think he wanted to know how to actually describe a piece of clothing without boring the reader and conveying his exact mental image.

Are you sure?

 

[Snowyflakes]

Are you sure?

I think, suppose, hope, wonder. Nothing is for sure .

 

[LilRora]

It can vary greatly depending on the effect you want to achieve, but in general you should do:

- impression, such as "punk look", "princess-like", "casual", or anything else that would give a general idea of how the clothes look. That should be skipped if there is little clothing to describe, such as a dress or a swimming suit, because in such case just writing "a regal dress emrodied with gold" gives the impression.

- parts catching attention or most important parts of the outfit, and how they are important. Something like "blue top hugging her slim figure." Don't focus on the clothes, but on the person wearing them.

You can use those two points in any order you like, or skip them entirely depending on the situation and your preference.

You should avoid describing the whole outfit and giving too detailed descriptions, because it matters only in specific cases, such as first date, trying new clothes while doing shopping with friends, or describing a detailed, static figure. And even then you should be careful not to overdo it.

I've said this on many other occasions, and I'm going to repeat myself: you should change the number of details dynamically during writing.

To give some examples:

1. Entering a venue:
There were a lot people dressed in formal clothing, mainly suits and fancy dresses.

2. Meeting an aquaintance:
I saw Elric walking in my direction across the street. He had his usual unkempt look to him, with ruffled hair, loose shirt hanging off his shoulders, and slightly torn trousers.

3. A first date:
She looked even more georgeous than usual. *insert appearance description and expressions of utter adoration* Her simple, deep blue dress revealing her knees only emphasized her already curvaceous body without catching too much attention, and the heels she wore made her height on par with mine, unlike usual. The little accesories, such as a pearl necklace around her neck and a crystal hairpin heeping her hair in a fancy bun, made her look even better.

If you pay attention, you will notice that in the 3rd point I actually described one piece of clothing, plus shoes and accessories. The way I wrote it gives very few details, but allows to build a fairly accurate image in your head that doesn't force readers to create an image of the character that will become completely irrelevant and forgotten three paragraphs later.

 

[WinterTimeCrime]

I usually just go on Pinterest and search for the look I want to go for, if it's a piece of fabric, dress, or style I have never seen before I search 'types of male/female clothing' and can usually find the name in some random article in a matter of seconds. - That's how I find clothing options.

However, for writing, you don't want to go overboard with detailing clothing such as collared shirts, slacks, jeans, etc. (basically, things we see on a daily basis) unless the specific wardrobe or appearance is unique to that person for a particular reason (tribal clothes, gang colors, etc.

Take this excerpt for instance:

Mensa rushes down the stairwell, now wearing a white-collared shirt with the outlines on his sleeves producing a light-blue beam and matching pants.

Riree followed shortly after, her ashen hair curled into two large pigtails at her back with a black crease swirling through the middle. Her outfit changed as well, now a gray sleeveless dress that exposed her narrow shoulders and lush long legs, with a white coat-like fabric wrapped around her top-hourglass body while concealing her lower arms and hands. Her feet were inclined by a swirling sphere heel that changed colors every time she took a step, while the rest of the shoe revealed her petite feet being wrapped in a glass-like fixture.

Notice how when describing about the male, everyone's seen a collared shirt and pants, so there's no need to overdo it. The only keen detail is his sleeves, and I made that detail because they live in high society and despite the simplicity of wardrobe, something about their appearance must make them stand out.

On the other hand, when I conveyed Riree's clothing it took a bit more time since she wore something quite grandiose and stunning, I could even have fun with the piece and talk about how the outfit fit her specific body type and other aspects that could help visualize her better.

To do this, honestly, you must practice practice practice. Keep learning about different clothing styles and outfits, and never stick to only one generic clothing type. Visual elements have superbly, so make sure if you have an idea for an outfit look it up to see examples so that you could then place your character in it and see it more clearly.

The better image you get, the more you'll be able to explain and entertain your readers. Some people don't want boring drab clothes on their characters, some want to be dazzled especially in civilizations and genres of Fantasy and Sci-Fi where our culture would be less plausible to exist.

 

[J_Chemist]

Use descriptive words.

 

[BigBadBoi]

go all in and write it "My Immortal" style.

 

[TheEldritchGod]

go all in and write it "My Immortal" style.

MY EYES! MY SWEET EYES! OH DEAR GOD WHAT THE FUCK IS THIS REAL? KILL ME! PLEASE! FOR THE LOVE OF ALL THAT IS UNHOLY CAST ME BACK INTO THE ABYSS FROM WHICH I SPAWNED AND MAY I NEVER AGAIN KNOW THE HORRIFYING TOUCH OF SENTIENCE!

 

[wingedcatgirl]

I hate clothing descriptions. I try to avoid them like diseases.

This is also my approach :p
Though the link you dropped might help

 

[Snowyflakes]

This is also my approach :p
Though the link you dropped might help

I hope, at least. I read it and thought it could be useful, given the fact that there are examples as well.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

Google types of "clothes name."

Make that an image search:

 

[WinterTimeCrime]

Make that an image search:

Thank you, my good man.

 

[RepresentingCaution]

man

It's spelled mom ?

 

[DeviousColony69]

It can vary greatly depending on the effect you want to achieve, but in general you should do:

- impression, such as "punk look", "princess-like", "casual", or anything else that would give a general idea of how the clothes look. That should be skipped if there is little clothing to describe, such as a dress or a swimming suit, because in such case just writing "a regal dress emrodied with gold" gives the impression.

- parts catching attention or most important parts of the outfit, and how they are important. Something like "blue top hugging her slim figure." Don't focus on the clothes, but on the person wearing them.

You can use those two points in any order you like, or skip them entirely depending on the situation and your preference.

You should avoid describing the whole outfit and giving too detailed descriptions, because it matters only in specific cases, such as first date, trying new clothes while doing shopping with friends, or describing a detailed, static figure. And even then you should be careful not to overdo it.

I've said this on many other occasions, and I'm going to repeat myself: you should change the number of details dynamically during writing.

To give some examples:

1. Entering a venue:
There were a lot people dressed in formal clothing, mainly suits and fancy dresses.

2. Meeting an aquaintance:
I saw Elric walking in my direction across the street. He had his usual unkempt look to him, with ruffled hair, loose shirt hanging off his shoulders, and slightly torn trousers.

3. A first date:
She looked even more georgeous than usual. *insert appearance description and expressions of utter adoration* Her simple, deep blue dress revealing her knees only emphasized her already curvaceous body without catching too much attention, and the heels she wore made her height on par with mine, unlike usual. The little accesories, such as a pearl necklace around her neck and a crystal hairpin heeping her hair in a fancy bun, made her look even better.

If you pay attention, you will notice that in the 3rd point I actually described one piece of clothing, plus shoes and accessories. The way I wrote it gives very few details, but allows to build a fairly accurate image in your head that doesn't force readers to create an image of the character that will become completely irrelevant and forgotten three paragraphs later.

Thank you for the very cool tip kind Sir

I usually just go on Pinterest and search for the look I want to go for, if it's a piece of fabric, dress, or style I have never seen before I search 'types of male/female clothing' and can usually find the name in some random article in a matter of seconds. - That's how I find clothing options.

However, for writing, you don't want to go overboard with detailing clothing such as collared shirts, slacks, jeans, etc. (basically, things we see on a daily basis) unless the specific wardrobe or appearance is unique to that person for a particular reason (tribal clothes, gang colors, etc.

Take this excerpt for instance:



Notice how when describing about the male, everyone's seen a collared shirt and pants, so there's no need to overdo it. The only keen detail is his sleeves, and I made that detail because they live in high society and despite the simplicity of wardrobe, something about their appearance must make them stand out.

On the other hand, when I conveyed Riree's clothing it took a bit more time since she wore something quite grandiose and stunning, I could even have fun with the piece and talk about how the outfit fit her specific body type and other aspects that could help visualize her better.

To do this, honestly, you must practice practice practice. Keep learning about different clothing styles and outfits, and never stick to only one generic clothing type. Visual elements have superbly, so make sure if you have an idea for an outfit look it up to see examples so that you could then place your character in it and see it more clearly.

The better image you get, the more you'll be able to explain and entertain your readers. Some people don't want boring drab clothes on their characters, some want to be dazzled especially in civilizations and genres of Fantasy and Sci-Fi where our culture would be less plausible to exist.

As long as it's not too detailed, it's alright. And more practice. Noted.

 

[edgy_chuuni]

Any of you guy know how to describe a character's clothing? I want to describe one for my character but I don't have any idea how to start one.

Just describe them?
If they're wearing a long coat just say:
"they're wearin a long coat"
Or if you want to be fancy you can say:
"She was wearing a long trench coat reaching almost to her knees. It's cream color complementing her hazel eyes"