Clothing?
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Is it relevant to plot?
I mean if it doesn't matter if the person is wearing jeans, a tee shirt, or a suit, then why include it?
Sometimes I'll only describe some aspect of something I want to draw attention to.
I mean if it doesn't matter if the person is wearing jeans, a tee shirt, or a suit, then why include it?
Sometimes I'll only describe some aspect of something I want to draw attention to.
More necessary oin some genres than others, or some plots than others.
Does your character dress in a way that reveals something about him? Put it in.
Is he from a different culture ( esp in fantasy say) and so dresses in a way that looks odd to your POV's eyes? Or reveal some of the fantastical nature of your world? Put it in.
Is it a romance and the Hero is drooling over the dress she's wearing because he has a fetish for leather and studs - cool, pop it in.
If it doesn't either reveal character, culture or at least have a bearing on the plot ( she can't run cos of her Jimmy Choos and pencil skirt) leave it out.
Does your character dress in a way that reveals something about him? Put it in.
Is he from a different culture ( esp in fantasy say) and so dresses in a way that looks odd to your POV's eyes? Or reveal some of the fantastical nature of your world? Put it in.
Is it a romance and the Hero is drooling over the dress she's wearing because he has a fetish for leather and studs - cool, pop it in.
If it doesn't either reveal character, culture or at least have a bearing on the plot ( she can't run cos of her Jimmy Choos and pencil skirt) leave it out.
I get tired of clothing described in every scene -- I used to see this more with chick lit, the author feels a need to describe the heroine's clothes every time.
But sometimes it's more necessary--maybe your MC is wearing jeans and a T-shirt when everyone else is wearing a suit. Or he wears a suit when everyone else wears jeans. Stuff like that reveals character.
It's uncool when the author gets self-indulgent.
But sometimes it's more necessary--maybe your MC is wearing jeans and a T-shirt when everyone else is wearing a suit. Or he wears a suit when everyone else wears jeans. Stuff like that reveals character.
It's uncool when the author gets self-indulgent.
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Is it necessary? Relevant? Unique? I mean, if it's a scene with tons of military officers, I DO NOT want to read about their uniforms. If it's a geisha, I do not want to read about her kimono unless there's something unique and relevant to the plot. But if it's a military officer wearing a kimono during a flight exercise, then it could be very interesting.
Otherwise, don't bother me with descriptions of clothes.
Otherwise, don't bother me with descriptions of clothes.
I describe clothes sometimes. I'm writing romantic fantasy/horror so the entire ouvre (sure I misspelled that) is part of the world-building. However, I usually only describe it when someone's noticing it, even if it's the person wearing it. I have a huge cast of characters and sometimes color-coding helps the reader picture the scene and where everyone is simultaneously.
As others have said, though, genre and style dictate whether you describe the clothes, setting, etc.,.
Then again, I'm unpublished so my advice probably sucks and I'm no doubt doing it wrong anyway.
As others have said, though, genre and style dictate whether you describe the clothes, setting, etc.,.
Then again, I'm unpublished so my advice probably sucks and I'm no doubt doing it wrong anyway.
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IMO, I would only describe it if there was an action associated with it.
"So-and-so pulled at her sweater collar because the wool was making her neck itch."
I would never say "so-and-so was wearing _____"
The exception to this being if your character was, say, "fawning over the blond woman in the bright red dress"... and then approached said-blond woman because of said-red dress.
Badly worded examples, but you get the idea.
"So-and-so pulled at her sweater collar because the wool was making her neck itch."
I would never say "so-and-so was wearing _____"
The exception to this being if your character was, say, "fawning over the blond woman in the bright red dress"... and then approached said-blond woman because of said-red dress.
Badly worded examples, but you get the idea.
I describe clothes but only in a certain fashion.
He pulled his woodland cloak closer to his neck against the bitter chill of the mountain air. Something to that effect.
It helps describe the character's feeling cold, and also gives the reader some sense of what the character is wearing and they can add the brown pants, and green shirt, etc. Or,
He adjusted his sword belt higher on his waist as he began the climb. Added in decription like this makes it less glaring, IMO.
He pulled his woodland cloak closer to his neck against the bitter chill of the mountain air. Something to that effect.
It helps describe the character's feeling cold, and also gives the reader some sense of what the character is wearing and they can add the brown pants, and green shirt, etc. Or,
He adjusted his sword belt higher on his waist as he began the climb. Added in decription like this makes it less glaring, IMO.
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I think it depends on the story. I do have several clothing descriptions in mine--full, actual descriptions. But the descriptions are also appropriate for the kind of story it is. I even use it for humor at times. Next story? Probably won't have anything at all, except maybe a character slipping on a windbreaker, because it's not the same type of story.
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Depends on your characters and your tone. If your characters are very interested in fashion, they would always notice what people had on. If someone stands out because of their attire, that might matter too -- and even if you don't mention it throughout the book, you might describe your MC's clothing somewhere near the first introduction, if that provides a glimpse of what they're like. Also, some kinds of writing are more lush with their description, in which case every detail can potentially count. (I am thinking of Francesca Lia Block here, who gets every detail down to the shoes in almost every scene of her newest book, but it works for her because she creates such a rich, dreamlike world.)
However, if you are telling a story in a sparer style, and/or featuring characters who don't give a damn about clothes, I'd say skip the description.
However, if you are telling a story in a sparer style, and/or featuring characters who don't give a damn about clothes, I'd say skip the description.
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I once described at full length my MC's outfit and weaponry she was carrying, but the problem was (as someone pointed out) was that it slowed down the story and puts the reader to sleep before the cool stuff even began.
Obviously, describing clothing is going to vary based on genre and style, but one thing to stay away from is block paragraphs of describing clothing (or the character). It's better to break it up and sprinkle it throughout the scene/story.
Like what Ken Schneider did here (sorry, I'm stealing this
).
And then maybe in another scene you mention the boots covered in mud and, etc.
Obviously, describing clothing is going to vary based on genre and style, but one thing to stay away from is block paragraphs of describing clothing (or the character). It's better to break it up and sprinkle it throughout the scene/story.
Like what Ken Schneider did here (sorry, I'm stealing this
).And then maybe in another scene you mention the boots covered in mud and, etc.
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When it's done well, it's pretty cool. When it's done badly, it's really really really uncool.
I think a good rule of thumb is to show us what the character would notice. So if she's the kind of girl who'd be like, "Oh, my BFF looks nice today." and you can throw that down quickly, great. If she and her friends just throw on whatever, or she doesn't care, or something, it can get annoying fast.
I think a good rule of thumb is to show us what the character would notice. So if she's the kind of girl who'd be like, "Oh, my BFF looks nice today." and you can throw that down quickly, great. If she and her friends just throw on whatever, or she doesn't care, or something, it can get annoying fast.
I don't go in for description at all. I let the reader imagine the characters and locations unless there is something specific to tell. I describe what my MC is wearing in one scene in my third book just because it is necessary to show she dresses really well and gives the appearance of wealth. It is needed for the scene or I wouldn't have done it.
As a reader, I like it when the writer slips something in about a character's costume here and there. Especially if they are awesome costumes. Or funny ones. Or telling ones. So I do the same in my writing.
I hate it when there is too little detail on clothing. I have a harder time connecting to the characters/world. So I avoid this in my writing.
I hate it when there is too little detail on clothing. I have a harder time connecting to the characters/world. So I avoid this in my writing.
In some genres describing the clothing is the norm. It's not just a matter of what's cool and uncool, but also fulfilling reader expectations. You need to know your audience. If it's not the standard for your genre, then it needs to fulfill a purpose.
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In The Eight, I still remember the character Lily flaunting into the scene in her obnoxious furs and jewels and the small dog that was a constant accessory. The description of her clothing stuck with me more than the physical description and it served well in forming an image and opinion, which I think was the one Neville wished to convey.
In my fantasy WIP, I touch on basic styles of some of the characters, without more than a fleeting focus. One race does distinguish themselves greatly in their garments and it is related to the story, so they get a little more attention. Otherwise, it's notable only if they are adorned in an unusual outfit that would draw attention.
In my fantasy WIP, I touch on basic styles of some of the characters, without more than a fleeting focus. One race does distinguish themselves greatly in their garments and it is related to the story, so they get a little more attention. Otherwise, it's notable only if they are adorned in an unusual outfit that would draw attention.
Some writers find clothing very peculiar feature. Due to the cloth of characters we can learn a lot about them! There are writers, who devote a big passages to the description of characters' cloth.
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If I'm introducing a character for instance, through another characters eyes and I want the reader to draw a certain conclusion about this new person then I might mention what they are wearing. But generally no, not unless it's relevant.
I think a lot of times when I see this in YA, it's because it's written in the 1st person narrative of a teenage girl. Teenage girls notice this stuff. Otherwise, it drives me up the wall unless it has some plot relevance.
I'd say mention it once when your character is first presented, and never again unless it's really essential. The first time around though we're still learning about the character so it's suitable that we know what their wear, as it forms a part of their personality.
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