That fancy Ming dynasty dress looks completely different with exposed shoulders and that medieval set of pants look completely different if you turn them into shorts with exposed legs. Let it hang diagonally across their chest and over their shoulder instead. So have fun with that. One does not refer to "a garb". Vision in such helmets was extremely limited, but this was the cost of added protection. Are they overalls or coveralls? But even regular elements can help with this. Well cover everything from helmets and plate armor to chainmail. First and foremost, remember that clothing description is still storytelling. How long do they need their clothes to last? Its all in the craft.Its good that youre here to learn how to describe clothing in writing, because its a powerful tool. Thats a good example of using clothing to reinforce the narrative of a characters arc. Achieving glory in battle was one way of earning a knighthood. Which brings me to my next point. Tell us how the wool of your protagonists sheath dress scratches the skin on the underside of her arm. Mention the familiar swooshing of the neighbors tracksuit as he runs by the house every morning or how the aunts jacket always smells like cold air and pine needles. Casual. Only when youre keeping secrets in fiction, you can make them even darker and deeper than any you might ever have in real life. Mantel creates a vivid sense of the wealth that the church amassed in these times. This is a fun one. )Secrets might not be something youve specifically thought about when youre drafting a story. Embarrassed by her own inability to dress in finery for the occasion (and by being upstaged), Katerina resorts to scathing mockery of Amalia. Such simple things, but the clothes really helped show Jesus plight. How were women treated in the Middle Ages? It really doesnt take much. Get an image of a blank shirt and simply draw the lines on it, it'll form a great base to work with. Make it mandatory to hold up a piece of clothing. Jeans and a tee it was. For example, fur usually wasn't used as a piece of decoration for clothing and if used at all was often worn around the neck and shoulders or underneath other (often hide) clothing to keep warm. With these two changes alone you already have an item that didn't exist in medieval times, but is familiar enough to work in a fantasy setting. ), The geographical location of your story. And right at the heart of it were the leaders of societythe medieval lords. You walk down the usual street and suddenly some old memory hits you. Using a squared, pixelated look or circuitry patterns usually works great too, which can even be combined with layered clothing to create the circuitry feel. Showing what your characters are wearing can be a great way to show your readers what they might be up to that day without having to actually narrate anything. Dragon scales, fiery furs and feathers and other elements can quickly turn a standard item into a fantasy one. The easy way to describe the setting is when the characters interact with it, e.g. 100 Words to Describe Clothes - grammarhow.com Select the most striking details and move on. Some materials are used more than others, some colors are more desirable than others and some accessories are more desirable than others and these all changed throughout time. Youre already obsessing over hat styles and what the undergarment situation was at the time of your story. A scarf for example might be too hot for some areas, but it's obviously easy to leave those out. Most picture the knight when we talk about plated armorrigid tin men that can withstand all manner of blows. Maybe a bracelet represents a character's relationship to her mother. What the description shows is that many of the inviteesplay at status through fancy dress. Thanks I will be following your blog from now one I just came across it today. Richard the Lionheart, for instance, was celebrated amongst his peers for his ability to chop his enemys skulls down to the teeth. An owl, a real owl! Your email address will not be published. I'll make a separate point for sci-fi/futuristic clothing and fantasy/historic clothing. Chain mail is a great piece of fantasy armor to use in your stories purely because of its flexibility. Military service was always well-rewarded and violence applauded. For example, headphones aren't really a piece of clothing, but they definitely affect our style. There is simply more characterization, not only of Gem but the other characters, too. The reader does not need the full outfit in one go. In a fantasy setting, you may be trying to conjure up a certain feel right off the bat based on how you describe a character's clothing (and the words you use to describe them). For fantasy stories to be more believable, we need to understand how it interacts with our characters, especially if theyre enchanted. But there is so much more to the experience of clothing than that. Some had pointed snouts, the purpose of which was to deflect arrows when walking into arrow storms. In both of these it was mostly the rich who had the extravagant clothing, which brings back the earlier point of how culture influences what a character might wear. To create a more futuristic looking style an easy way of doing it is to incorporate technology into the clothing itself. Your main character just put on some makeup and changed into a fancy dress, complete with heels and a tiny handbag. Lets talk about how to use clothing description as a storytelling tool, how to dress your character for their personality and setting, and how to make clothes interesting to anyone. Leather could be stitched into coats, or added to mail to provide added protection. Using this site means trees will be planted. Heating to the perfect temperature was key. We often express ourselves through our clothing, at least when we have the freedom to do so, so knowing who we're designing for is the first step in creating the perfect outfit for a character. We naturally link clothing and identity, which is why wardrobe is such an effective tool for building a vivid character. Consider whether your characters attire might serve as a symbol, highlight a theme, or represent a conflict. In this section, Ive included some more guides on creating fantasy armor designs that you may find useful. Look how she sits with her mouth open! 1. "Garb" or "dress" (without an article) is a rather drab abstract noun for what a person is wearing. (Huh.). Pfoo, the owl! Fully geared up, you were a walking fortress. No problem! One major element that makes creating more futuristic clothing easier is to make sure it doesn't look familiar, to make sure it doesn't look like something you'd come across today. Ive always wondered that too! And when Mother Nature gets involved, even the best suit of armor can have problems. For example, a shy person will often wear 'regular' clothing, clothing that isn't too bright or outgoing in both design and colors. Your email address will not be published. Dont worry, thats not a trick question. (Find out more). Share. A man's padded undercoat worn under a doublet and over a shirt; a woman's (often padded) under-tunic or the skirt of her riding habit. You could introduce magical enchantments or ability-granting traits. In some cases because they simply didn't have the technology for it, in others because it was too expensive and/or time consuming for the average person. Whereas a more confident or attention seeking person might seek out the edges of what's socially acceptable more or just wear more stylish and potentially more colorful or flamboyant clothing. His pants are simple and narrow and reach down to his hard leather shoes. The aim was not to cause any impediment to movement. I'm sort of into historical armor so would get a kick out of finding an excuse to talk about vambraces/rerebraces, spaulders, etc. Normally I dont dress characters with such complex clothing that takes more than a few sentences to describe but the vest was inspired by a picture I saw and it took at least a paragraph to describe. Creative Words to Describe Outfit & Clothing - INK Knights were, indeed, hard to defeat in battle. Not to mention the social status of a person. The line could be thin or thick, glowing, metallic-looking or just plain, padded or smooth, patterned, decorated or simply a seem. 160 Best Character description ideas | character description, fantasy What is a good way to do Show not tell in a first person POV state? You can continue to alter it to add cultural elements, like the previously mentioned elvish elements or you could stick with this and keep it simple. Only the most sophisticated, Dr. Urbino among them, wore their ordinary clothes. I saw Jesus Christ Superstar a long time ago and Jesus was in a sharp black suit. A self-conscious kid tries to disappear inside their oversized sweatshirt. So its unsurprising to see soldiers wielding swords and axes and shooting bows. Smart: Neat and tidy clothes but not necessarily formal. If done right you could even use these elements alone with clothing of today to sell a futuristic look. Like all forms of exposition, your goal is to deliver this information without pulling the reader out of the story. One reason clothing descriptions can start to feel like a tedious laundry list (see what I did there?) So let's delve deeper into the details of how to actually figure out what your character wears. Press J to jump to the feed. Heating to the perfect temperature was key. (Would people living in this area have access to leather goods? Follow edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:43. Borrowed armor wouldnt fit as well as a suit made for the wearer and wouldnt be as well balanced, so someone in borrowed armor would be more likely to have problems moving in his armor. Would the fashion designers in your fantasy novel make use of dragon scales? From lowly serfs to great warriors, all could wear and fight effectively in chainmail. This article has compiled 100 different words you can use to describe clothes, and below the main list of 100 words we've explained our reasoning for a lot of the top picks from that very list, for your personal enjoyment. What is the prevailing value in the society of your story? [Find more articles on character description in our complete guide to character creation.]. Lets talk about how to describe clothing in writing organically. Mail was lightweight and flexible. When describing clothing in writing, consider: You can also use this aspect of clothing description to paint a vivid picture of the world you imagined. Pingback: A fantasy writers guide to weaponry Richie Billing. A velvet scrunchie. Theyre just too important defensively. Compare this, then, to Dickens description of Gradgrinds wife in the following chapter (Gradgrinds wealthy but poverty-claiming friend has just told Mrs. Gradgrind he was born in a ditch): Mrs. Gradgrind, a little, thin, white, pink-eyed bundle of shawls, of surpassing feebleness, mental and bodily; who was always taking physic without any effect, and who, whenever she showed a symptom of coming to life, was invariably stunned by some weighty piece of fact tumbling on her; Mrs. Gradgrind hoped it was a dry ditch? Advertisements. Vividly describing the colors of your character's clothing can enliven ordinary writing. Thanks Chuck! Here are some classic characteristics you can draw out through clothing description. Technology goes beyond simply what kind of clothes could be made though, it also relates to how technology is incorporated into style in general. As I write this, I am wearing jeans that are too big, a gray t-shirt I inherited from a former roommate, and a pilled hoodie from a lighting vendor that works with my friends husbands company. In Gabriel Garcia Marquezs Love in the Time of Cholera (1985), we learn of a doctors status through his being the only person at an event who is not smartly dressed: Although it was not customary for invitations to request special attire, least of all for a luncheon in the country, the women wore evening gowns and precious jewels and most of the men were dressed in dinner jackets with black ties, and some even wore frock coats. The image you create has to play a role in the narrative.Consider the character arc. Help your readers feel the relaxed, organic cotton or the memory foam slipper, and theyll feel your characters priorities deep in their own souls. Instead of a nobleman being described as wearing red silk slippers, parachute pants, a bejeweled cloth belt, a flowing blouse and an ascot; you can simply describe him as wear very fancy and extravagant clothing befitting his high status in society. Also try searching cool fantasy armor, or epic fantasy armor. The tragedy of Azincourt, for example, occurred because of a poorly-chosen battleground that had flooded. It's part of culture, so it's definitely something to keep in mind since your fictional universes will have some form of culture as well. Not to pile on, but dont forget to make sure you know which materials wereand werentavailable in the world of your novel. But they could also dress in modest, inexpensive-looking clothes. Theyre probably less concerned with how they look (unless they want to look intimidating) and more concerned with things like survival or victory. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. The rope belt is solely decorative and a status symbol. But thats the case wherever you go. The only cloak in the world made with silk spun by the cat-sized spiders that live in the forbidden mountains. Well also take a look at female fantasy armor and those used by, Mail was particularly effective against glancing blows. Have fun with it. These images all go a lot further than white socks, green dress, and most of them dont require a lot of extra words. It took a while to get ready, with the help of somebody else needed, usually squires, who began with the feet and worked up from there. Nylon and polyester fabrics weren't invented until almost the mid 20th century for example. These were worn on their own by those wanting greater speed and flexibility, but also by those unable to afford stronger armor. Thanks, Teresa, and for sharing that great example from the stage. Which was, indeed, a little weird straight off! But as the show moved forward the suit got more ragged the jacket was open, then gone, the shirt cuffs undone, half the buttons undone and I think by the end when he was on the cross the shirt was gone. Who is your character at the beginning of the story, and how can you dress them to establish their normal? This usually involves dresses from some time pre-renaissance and a tunic or shirt paired with trousers for men and women who are doing warrior stuff. You can weave clothing description into your process when using our story planner for writers. If a knight fell from a horse, he could quite easily pick himself up, not stuck on the ground like a tortoise knocked on its shell. We all love a character with a cool set of fantasy armor: the baresark Rek from David Gemmells Legend with his enchanted coat of bronze, or Tomas from Raymond Feists Riftwar Cycle with his gleaming white dragon plate which gifted him incredible power. An owl in new ribbons, ha-ha-ha! Troubles with Clothing in Fantasy + Some Ideas - Brielle Andela What backstory or character motivations could combinations of appearance and reality suggest? We already have spray on clothing technology. You may have imagined a man in an expensive suit or a woman in designer clothes. From time to time we may use affiliate links to help with the costs of running the site. But the biggest challenge can sometimes be simply making something look futuristic or historic fantasy-ish, which is the main focus of this guide. Privacy Policy. A coat of mail was a complex web of metal rings, each locked with an iron rivet. How to Describe Clothing in a Story (with Examples) | Now Novel Youre more than welcome to join us and wed love to have you on board. https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e7bbcc198c936bc1af3fbda128514c44fcfc10f0513ea31cad7c21ae61ba0ab0.jpg. Think of the process like dressing a doll: start at the beginning and up build the layers. Well come to this below. Hi Paige, thank you (and thanks for your question). A possible source of conflict for a story, perhaps! Obviously clothing is extremely varied, especially dresses. - 'Stealth'. Dr. Urbino in Marquezs example above fits the latter category. To illustrate this let's take a standard men's suit as an example. Mantel describes the cardinals vestments: They bring out the cardinals vestments, his copes. This includes things like a pilots uniform, a tiara, or a Pink Ladies jacket. That's why it's valuable to learn these terms. The time period of your story. Hello, I am attempting to write my first fantasy novel (and my first novel), and I'm having difficulty visualizing what kind of clothes my characters should be wearing. I used to be under the mindset that describing attire was boring and it was better to let the reader fill in those details but especially with the novel Im working on now, I have used clothing to portray more about their character. Really like your article. One easy way of creating a more customized look is to simply use cultural elements in the standard clothing. Id be willing to bet each of these items immediately brought to mind a semi-clear character. Also, don't feel like you have to include every point I've made. 04. The padded material could absorb blows from blunt, A Guide To Writing Stories That Genuinely Helps, "Helped me land my first book deal" - Jack Shannon, Author, Get More Writing Support From Fellow Fantasy Writers, A complete guide to worldbuilding, with a template. Make it look very clean and smooth and it immediately feels more modern. "He was wearing a spandex tank top" is an improvement from just mentioning that your character's wearing a shirt; but consider adding the element of color: "He was wearing a black-and-yellow-striped spandex tank top.". But your reader is going to picture something whether you guide them or not. Its fun to play with power in clothing, because it's a relative concept. These were worn on their own by those wanting greater speed and flexibility, but also by those unable to afford stronger armor. ^.^ That also will help readers really experience things through their eyes. Each lesson breaks down the analysis of one component of a fashion collection, progressing from a consideration of the designer's technique and influences to the . All cultures have dress codes to some degree, some more so than others and some more stricter than others, but every culture has a range of styles that would be considered normal, 'out there' and unacceptable to most. - Use lines to break up a piece of clothing and create a kind of mosaic. This one is simple, right? The train hums and throbs in place as people rush to pile in.. Try some colour. Why this arguably works better is the details of getting dressed tell us multiple details about Gem. It can be as simple as making a dress shorter, a jacket longer or sleeves wider and longer. - Gadgets, hair styles and accessories. Arrows will bounce off steel crafted in such a wayunless from close range, as we discussed last week. In other words take what exists and apply it differently. (Hopefully, I dont really know your life, so maybe not. We see the contrast between the characters friends reaction and the advisory words of Gems aunt. Can you imagine tweaking this to make your own set of fantasy armor? That would depend on a few things. Knights werent as immobile as people assum, though I can imagine in a quagmire itd be tricky to get up. How to Describe Clothing in Writing Without Boring Everybody Ill add it to my to do list . Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts And its in designs that you can really go wild with your own fantasy armor. Think touchable fabrics and the light scent of lavender soap. Like say a vest with mirrored sequins and rhinestones, but they all go in a pattern and you feel the need to describe the pattern line by line? 2023 NOW NOVEL CC. Who doesnt like being comfortable when killing? You may have seen steelworkers doing this after forging the likes of blades and horseshoes. Separate and enlarge it, turn down the Opacity of the layer . Consider this example from Hard Times. I can only imagine the pain of the chafing! Using the work of Alexander McQueen, this unit guides students through the analysis of a fashion collection, introducing them to the critical language and methodologies needed to evaluate fashion design and runway presentation. And well dip back in time to look at medieval armor and how it was used and crafted. 2012 - In writing, the clothes kind of do make the (hu)man. Maybe your character heads out on the town wearing a daring leopard print jumpsuit, only to have their best friend immediately ask where they got the kitty costume.. Wearing a suit of armor was like being in your own private world. The same goes for other types of technology that could realistically be incorporated into the design of your character's clothing. As the battle continued through the day, a rumor grew that Harold had died or fled the field, I forget which. If there is one thing I hope you take from all of this, its that none of this is about describing what a character looks like. Someone jumps down from a boundary wall wearing dark clothes and clutching a bag, that's enough of a clue they're a burglar, and if the protagonist now has to chase them then a description of the form those clothes take down to the buckles on the shoes is going to break the flow. The first time I joined my family for our biannual Minnesota fishing trip after moving to L.A. from the Midwest, I found myself constantly losing my aunt and mother. The fact Gem goes with jeans and a tee could suggest that she trusts her aunts advice. They were warriors first and foremost. There's also the element of technology that has to be taken into account. Do they need a ghillie suit to blend into the natural environment? PsstDoes Your Character Have a Secret? How does their attire reflect what they want, what they fear, or where theyre going? Required fields are marked *. I sincerely hope youve found some inspiration for your fantasy medieval armor. See how Dickens contrasts the fact-obsessed, overbearingteacher Thomas Gradgrind and his wifes personalities through (among other details) their clothing description. Because it actually is possible. Figurative language . Stiff with embroidery, strewn with pearls, encrusted with gemstones, they seem to stand by themselves. Baggy. Discover an extensive list of terms you may want to know here. Maybe their goal is to entice a mate. With historical fiction one interesting aspect is to bring back the reader to that time period. And if you need a place to organize your complex responses, I recommend Dabbles Character Notes feature. Another might claim power by striding in wearing torn jeans and a tank top.