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. 2012 - Or at least they know what century theyre in. Thanks Benjamin! Theyre the kind of thing that often happen organically, but you can actually make use of character secrets to make your stories better. As with body armor, great efforts were made with the designs of helmets. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 'There is a blog for every aspect of the writing journey.' Note that with the camouflage patterns it's best to use this style, but make them less randomized to avoid the military look, unless that's what you're going for of course. This is less important for non-visual arts as clothing isn't always described in writing, but it can still be incredibly helpful to have a fully detailed character in your head or written down somewhere for reference and just to make everything feel more real and alive. Maybe a bit of both. Its all in the craft.Its good that youre here to learn how to describe clothing in writing, because its a powerful tool. In the historical fiction books Ive read, none of the heroes took off their helmets unless they were knocked off, or bashed in. Love this topic!! Its because concrete details are incredibly effective in communicating abstract concepts. Its okay if Todds checks his designer watch three pages after you mention his silk tie. Most picture the knight when we talk about plated armorrigid tin men that can withstand all manner of blows. Affordable . I'm talking about the jagged, triangular shapes you find on some stealth planes or the digital camouflage patterns. Figurative language . By playing around with this you quickly create very subtle, but more unique fantasy-themed items. The padded material could absorb blows from blunt weapons and provided some protection from cuts, but against well-forged weapons they were useless. Chain mail is a great piece of fantasy armor to use in your stories purely because of its flexibility. Richie also runs The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a podcast devoted to helping writers improve their craft. Stylish. This is mostly something to keep in mind when designing for characters living in the future, but it could work for alternative historic universes as well. It took leaving the Midwest to recognize it. What would you think about a wealthy character who looked as though he shopped at thrift stores? - "Digital look". 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. The reader does not need the full outfit in one go. Other clothing pieces could be various types of hats and scarves, (trench) coats and even something as simple as pockets or buttons used for fastening rather than as decoration to name just a few. 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. Thus his plain dress is, ironically, indicative of higher status. 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. Again, I don't mean make your character walk around naked, but add elements of covering up or exposing certain areas of the body. (Would people living in this area have access to leather goods? Or it could be that they want to be charmed by their own image when they look in the mirror. You can quickly convey a number of things about your characters based on the clothing they wear. Select the most striking details and move on. The jacket has a narrow, rectangular neckline which reveals part of the fancy shirt worn below it and is worn with a light rope belt, which is held together by a simple knot. The tragedy of Azincourt, for example, occurred because of a poorly-chosen battleground that had flooded. The appearance of armor was a big deal for knights. You dont need it to sign up. There is simply more characterization, not only of Gem but the other characters, too. Lets delve further into these ideas about describing characters dress: Think of your characters clothing like an actors costume in a play. Meanwhile, the character who works two jobs while going to school full-time might scour the Goodwill rack for a designer tag to help them fit in at the same party. Baggy. Both can lose clout simply by the way their peers respond to their wardrobe choices. Because like all other character details, its not enough to paint a picture. Heres a cool video on making leather fantasy armor by YouTuber, Prince Armory. This article was very helpfulcan you post some examples of showing versus telling when describing clothing? That decorative belt? What exactly are you trying to communicate about the character, setting, or situation? And of course, location provides a clue for what it takes to be comfortable in the world of your story. - Mix cultures. Good for the mobile knight. A simple t-shirt could be cut diagonally in the front, give both shoulder parts a different style from the arms, elongate one side and so on. Also, don't feel like you have to include every point I've made. The description will describe a lot of clothing pieces, some of which you may not need depending on where your character lives. Clothes that are suitable for everyday wear rather than formal occasions. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. Finally there's all the little things that can make an outfit look more futuristic. If done right you could even use these elements alone with clothing of today to sell a futuristic look. Why this arguably works better is the details of getting dressed tell us multiple details about Gem. ), Your character and communitys financial resources. One character might demonstrate their power by showing up to prom in a designer gown. stylish, expensive clothing, yet not specific to a certain time or place. What the description shows is that many of the inviteesplay at status through fancy dress. Pingback: A fantasy writers guide to weaponry Richie Billing. How do they change, and how does their clothing reflect that change? And medieval warfare was a bloody affair. Chausses / Chauces (15th century) Pantaloons; padded hosen for the legs, often worn under chainmail or plate armor. Mantel describes the cardinals vestments: They bring out the cardinals vestments, his copes. Only the most powerful strikes could pierce such armor. Finally there's the aspect of fashion to take into account. Much of the clothing we wear today were either rare or completely nonexistent a hundred years ago. It's what we're slowly doing today. You can use visual description to make a character more vivid in the readers minds eye. Its about building a life and a world, and that is something you can do. An owl, a real owl! One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. Use fashion and clothing history archives if necessary. Maybe your character is snuggled up in their fleece pajamas while the blizzard rages outside. To add to the previous mosaic part stealth technology can provide great patterns. Trendy: Modern, fashionable, and up-to-date outfits. We'll also take a look at female fantasy armor and those used by knights, potential designs, and ways to help you find inspiration for creating your own. You could even move the buttons to the side and have it close diagonally instead. And here are some great concepts for female fantasy armor. Pingback: Fantasy Weapons - Medieval, Magic And Other Types - Richie Billing, Helping writers on their journey and readers find their next favourite story.. Your character might also have a job or hobby that requires protective clothing. Your main character just put on some makeup and changed into a fancy dress, complete with heels and a tiny handbag. 04. When you use clothing to define who your character is, remember that it can also clarify how they feel about themselves and how they fit into the world around them. No problem! Using this site means trees will be planted. One does not refer to "a garb". The clothes a person wears tellsus many things: their status in life, for example, or their cultural affiliation or identity. Give your wealthy character a pair of Louboutins and dress your non-wealthy characters in hand-me-downs. Characters can also comment on or react to one anothers clothing, as long as the exchange reveals something about the world or relationship. Fashion trends come and go and they often return later, albeit in a slightly different form. Improve this answer. ^.^ Theyre probably less concerned with how they look (unless they want to look intimidating) and more concerned with things like survival or victory. Youre more than welcome to join us and wed love to have you on board. Lets take a look at some individual pieces of armor. If all else fails use Google images and find some visual aids and inspiration sources, they can work wonders. We naturally link clothing and identity, which is why wardrobe is such an effective tool for building a vivid character. It's something we have today as well, but they're oddly uncommon and work great for more futuristic looks. Blunt, Once quenched, the steel was re-heated to make it more resilient. Clothing is one of the easiest and most immediate ways to establish an historical setting. Military service was always well-rewarded and violence applauded. Thanks, Sana. Besides, these are all just guidelines meant to spark some inspiration in you. The eye slits were narrow to prevent all sizes of arrowheads from finding their way through. One very important aspect of describing attire well is understanding why youre describing it in the first place. From lowly serfs to great warriors, all could wear and fight effectively in chainmail. These detail could suggest that your character is miserly or down-to-earth despite their wealth. For example, the corset wasn't popular until the 16th century and while earlier versions can be found incredibly early they weren't common place. Lets take a look at how clothing description indicates your characters identity, goals, and culture. What would high stakes clothing look like in your story? 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A scarf for example might be too hot for some areas, but it's obviously easy to leave those out. Smart: Neat and tidy clothes but not necessarily formal. Further reading How To Write Fight Scenes. 2023 NOW NOVEL CC. Dr. Urbino in Marquezs example above fits the latter category. Are the characters of your dystopian novel forced to make do with burlap and mud? Really like your article. Well come to this below. Once blue, it is quenched a second time, permanently fixing its hardness. It gives you an idea of the capabilities that armor can have. I like the way you wrote this information. Katerina is affronted by Amalias fine dress because it is new and shows pride. What are the rules of your characters world? Once quenched, the steel was re-heated to make it more resilient. Is this purely for cinematic effect or would some leaders remove their helmets to show their faces to their soldiers? Here are a few different types: We mentioned gambesons above. Also bear in mind that not all clothing descriptions have to be presented as She put on x or He was wearing y. You can draw your readers attention to an item of clothing by having your character draw on their jeans or fiddle with their collar. You walk down the usual street and suddenly some old memory hits you. What backstory or character motivations could combinations of appearance and reality suggest? Have fun with it. Youre working essential details into the narrative at the moment when they are most relevant. Leather could be stitched into coats, or added to mail to provide added protection. Think the previously mentioned Fifth Element and Hunger Games clothing versus Star Trek, Star Wars and so on clothing. In Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment, the poor, Tuberculosis-stricken Katerina Ivanovnas husband is trampled to death by a horse-drawn cart. First and foremost, remember that clothing description is still storytelling. If you look at popular works of fiction you'll find two trends, one is the simplistic and often tight-fit look and the other is the more over the top and extravagant look. So why not join the gang? Ideas are forever being shared and discussed. What your character wears can tell us a lot about how they feel or how they want to feel. Well also take a look at female fantasy armor and those used by, Mail was particularly effective against glancing blows. They could withstand high-velocity strikes from a javelin or lance, driven home by somebody charging forwards on horseback. Knights were, indeed, hard to defeat in battle. 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. For more information, please see our These are usually a little trickier to do well as they can look familiar quickly, but it's a usually a good element to have at your disposal. Adding these other bits of lesser-known fantasy armor to your stories can really add extra depth to your worldbuilding. 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.. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. (Huh.). At a quarter to six, Gem pulled off the low-cut top Emma had wolf-whistled and clappedat when theyd met for their usual weekend catch-up. Adorable. I'll make a separate point for sci-fi/futuristic clothing and fantasy/historic clothing. The novels protagonist Rodion gives Katerina the last of his money to host a funeral. For example, think about a wealthy person and how that person might dress. 28 First of all, beautiful dress and mask! As far as guidelines go this is the first to be broken though, consider this one more of a starting point rather than something to necessarily end on. If sturdy is a top consideration, your character might be expecting trouble or adventure. The reason we fuss over physical descriptions is not because its so important that the readers imagination gets it right. Any suggestions on how to properly do this? This can be a very effective way if your universe is based on an existing culture. Characters wear more than just clothes. It was pretty easy to make, though laborious, and easy to repair. Maybe a bracelet represents a character's relationship to her mother. That's why it's valuable to learn these terms. Not really. They also wear talismans, jewelry, and other objects. Only when youre keeping secrets in fiction, you can make them even darker and deeper than any you might ever have in real life. With historical fiction one interesting aspect is to bring back the reader to that time period. The front part of helmets, or the visors, were there to raise or open so the wearer could breathe during taxing hand-to-hand combat or scan around the battlefield. 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. Blunt weapons were effective, causing haemorrhaging and concussion, so padded garments known as a doublet or gambeson were worn underneath to provide added protection. Or one who was forever wearing poorly-fitted clothing that appeared to be handed down from friends? If you tell your readers about Nanettes light pink cardigan and string of pearls, you dont have to say much about the shoes and skirt and silk blouse. This is often enough to make something look more futuristic, especially if used on something that looks glossy, shiny and/or smooth. See how Dickens contrasts the fact-obsessed, overbearingteacher Thomas Gradgrind and his wifes personalities through (among other details) their clothing description. (Has denim been invented yet? It really doesnt take much. Thanks, Teresa, and for sharing that great example from the stage. The final design with all its layers will often hide elements of the clothing that a client may want to see later. Does your character need to hide? To navigate your way through this guide, just click the links below. Something like this: As you can see, a knights armor is made up of a lot of different pieces. It illustrates brilliantly the differences between fantasy armor and the boring armor of reality, in this case, Gothic armor. Consider this example from Hard Times. Continued successes could see knights rise higher up the ranks. Heres a video showing the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of leather armor against arrows. Shoes made with bendable displays already exist, allowing you to change your shoe's design on the fly. A self-conscious kid tries to disappear inside their oversized sweatshirt. It can be as simple as making a dress shorter, a jacket longer or sleeves wider and longer. Read these tips on how (and why) to describe clothes with examples from well-known novels: 1: Use clothing to show status and position 2: Build (or thwart) character expectations with clothing descriptions 3: Describe clothing to contrast characters' personalities 4: Show clothing to avoid over-relying on telling - Taboos and nudity. A self-conscious kid tries to disappear inside their oversized sweatshirt. Never hose for men and probably never puffy breeches. There are some elements which are common among most works of fiction when it comes to clothing, with these elements in mind it becomes a lot easier to turn the clothing we wear today or wore throughout history into a futuristic or more fantasy oriented equivalent. Is your character trying to attract positive attention? Glasses, headsets, lenses, jewelry, belts and so on can all help sell the futuristic look. I love the way clothes can describe a character. is because we get stuck on what things look like. Sure, it helps your reader to know how you picture a character. In battle, you are trying to strike a moving target, so mail was sufficient as most blows were glancing ones. Sweaters or jumpers? clothed and we should definitely be using them to portray our characters personalities. Now, if you write historical fiction, its important to research the clothing of your chosen era. I never thought of there being a uniform for Midwestern ladyness. Maybe their goal is to entice a mate. A knight, by definition, was a lord. Clean, powerful strikes were needed to disable a foe wearing mail. Leonidas in 300, for instance, almost certainly wore a helmet in the battle with the Persians! Id be willing to bet each of these items immediately brought to mind a semi-clear character. Richard the Lionheart, for instance, was celebrated amongst his peers for his ability to chop his enemys skulls down to the teeth. Are they overalls or coveralls? So this really reaffirmed that approach for me. Its a bit OCD of me. His pants are simple and narrow and reach down to his hard leather shoes. A band t-shirt. So its unsurprising to see soldiers wielding swords and axes and shooting bows. Stockings, long gloves, scarves or separate layers of clothing make a huge difference. The time period of your story. 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. Sometimes the simplest changes are enough to create something completely new and ideal for a particular universe. 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. It's your creation, your imagination and your time you use and spend, so make sure you use and spend it on something you enjoy. To navigate your way through this guide, just click the links below. Armor, therefore, wasnt that heavya full suit weighed approximately 50 pounds, which is around 3 to 4 stone. Impoverished with children to care for, she uses her last money to give her husband a dignified funeral. 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. As the battle continued through the day, a rumor grew that Harold had died or fled the field, I forget which. 1. 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. But it can also be fun to play with the confidence and ease that comes with wealth. Am I trying to blow the interview? But they werent administrators. Ready to sketch vivid characters for your novel? I can only imagine the pain of the chafing! For example, a shy person will often wear 'regular' clothing, clothing that isn't too bright or outgoing in both design and colors. The more people that join this thriving group the better it becomes. Thank you for reading our blog! And well dip back in time to look at medieval armor and how it was used and crafted. The aim is to arm you with what you need to enrich your tales with brilliant detail. Heating to the perfect temperature was key. But Ive also noticed that artful clothing description does make a character, a setting, and even a moment more engaging. Non-visual senses are big, too. We even have the technology to create clothing without seems. Not quite. Some wore a trapper a covering of full chain mailand down the line, some horses even had their own plated armor. My story feels like its set more in medieval times, but I don't want my characters running around in full out tunics and. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts 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. Which brings me to my next point. I saw Jesus Christ Superstar a long time ago and Jesus was in a sharp black suit. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. As well see below, medieval armor developed through necessitypeople needed to protect themselves from those wicked blades and needle-sharp darts. But for writers like me who get stuck in the white socks, green dress rut, heres a quick reminder: Details about fabric, fit, quality, and color are super effective when it comes to creating a sense of character, place, or moment. 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. What matters more to them: fashion or function? Get an image of a blank shirt and simply draw the lines on it, it'll form a great base to work with. I didnt even know how to begin describing this piece of clothing. Sneak around? To discover more awesome ideas, head over to Pinterest and just search for female fantasy armor. That cloth ribbon tied around their waist? If you want futuristic fantasy simply follow the sci-fi/futuristic tips more or mix and match both sides. Separate and enlarge it, turn down the Opacity of the layer . Think of other interesting combinations: A teacher who dresses provocatively; a beggar with an innate sense of style. "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.". The landladys dress highlights, by contrast, the downward spiral of Katerinas fortunes, and she responds to the landladys prideful clothing with her own wounded pride: Look at her, shes making round eyes, she feels that we are talking about her and cant understand. 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. They're the ones who are always there to lend a helping hand, crack a joke, or provide some much-needed emotional relief.And let's be real, sometimes they dont go unsung. All of these advancements will become more and more common as time goes on, so it'd make sense for them to be part of our clothing in the future. In one single piece of clothing description (a pink-eyed bundle of shawls), Dickens conveys how timid and ailing Mrs. Gradgrind is in contrast to her bullish, overbearing husband.
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