A long, long time ago (2013, to be exact), H from TheWritersHelpers and C from WriteWorld (inactive) got together for a collaboration on how to write and describe clothing. This is the fruits of their labor.**
Anonymous asked: Any tips on describing clothing?
The Writer’s Helpers and WriteWorld have teamed up to create a series on clothing and fashion. These articles were primarily written in the context of how to write about clothing.
Clothing is a term that is used to describe items worn by humans (and recently other animals, like tiny dogs), either for practical reasons or for reasons of style. Since humans have been wearing clothing for tens of thousands of years, it’s probably best to narrow down the timeframe for the clothing you’re describing to a particular era, year, season, etc. With that in mind, let’s talk about fashion!
Fashion (n): A popular trend, esp. in styles of dress, ornament, or behavior.
We’ll be discussing the dress and ornament portion of this definition. Now, there are a few ways that fashion might affect your description of clothing: Your character might be fashionable, ahead of the times, behind the times, or apart from fashion entirely. All of this is going to make a difference not only in what the clothing actually is, but also in what there is to describe about said clothing. Let’s have a look at these different positions for your character on the fashion scale:
1. Fashionable. Fashionable characters are insiders. They are usually very in tune with what is hip with the kids. Fashionable characters (for an example, read the booksThe Devil Wears Prada,,The Princess Diaries, and Confessions of a Shopaholic) can usually have a backstory where they once were not fashionable- perhaps the unpopular nerd- and with a little help or luck, improve their fashion sense. Magazines such as Vogue, Seventeen, or GQ can act as guides for your fashionista characters in present day. For more on eras, check out the “Links to Look At” section at the end of this article.
If you’re writing a fashionable character, you might use clothing labels to describe your character’s clothes as opposed to just describing the color, size, etc. You might also want to thread themes through the character’s style, such as the season or a trademark for the character (think always wears yellow or channels Audrey Hepburn on the red carpet).
Materials vary often in fashion, but fashionable characters are more likely to wear expensive fabrics and jewelry. After all, they have a reputation to uphold.
2. Ahead of the times. These are the trendsetters, the fashion pioneers, the people who pave the way for others and push the boundaries in all the right ways. Trends come and go, but the fashion forward never look back.
Characters wearing forward-thinking fashion (or couture) might find themselves in fur and duct tape and think nothing of it. Descriptions of their clothing might tend toward the bizarre and using eclectic words may help drive home the eccentricities of their style. For example:
Her aluminum coat sparked like Tesla coils in the firelight.
Weird descriptors aren’t a problem for fashion-forward characters. The weirder, the better.
3. Behind the times. There are those unfortunate souls who do not keep up with the fashion popular at the time your story takes place. Whether it’s the 1580’s or the 1980’s, not all fashions are universal. Styles come and go, but if your character’s whole wardrobe was procured twenty years before the story begins, they’re probably not up with the latest fashions. This might arise from monetary constraints or because of isolation, but the simple fact is: not everything is retro-chic.
Retro-Chic (adj): pertaining to the fashionableness of the nostalgic revival of a style.
Characters who are behind the times might have old clothes that aren’t in the best condition. They may not have the vocabulary to describe the clothes they wear or that others wear with any degree of accuracy. This most especially applies to clothing labels or technical terms for the design of clothes as the character is not up on the popular designers and the newest fashions.
Apart from fashion altogether. There are many reasons why a character might be apart from fashion. Fashion is essentially self-expression, and some people don’t care. Take into consideration religious preferences (monk attire is pretty standard), strict parental figures (if your character is a youngster), or time travel (we’re lookin’ at you, Doctor Who).
Characters who stand apart from fashion may also be unaware of the terminology to accurately describe clothing popular at the time and in the place of your story. These characters might not, for example, know the word “silk” and so must describe around the word. They might not have any concept for manufactured material and therefore have trouble describing nylon or faux leather.
Let’s look at detail. What sort of descriptors could you use, how could you use them, and why?
Try not to go overboard with the description, but make your descriptive words count. Let’s look at an example of a simple description of the two largest articles of clothing on an example character:
She wore a top and a skirt.
That’s pretty basic. “Top”, for example, isn’t very descriptive. After all, women’s fashion is complicated! So, let’s use specific terminology:
She wore a blouse and a skirt.
You might add color:
She wore a black blouse and a gray skirt.
You might add fabric descriptions (Remember, the color describes the fabric now, so it goes before the descriptive word for whatever material the clothing is made of):
She wore a black silk blouse and a gray tweed skirt.
There are other descriptors worth mentioning such as how the clothing drapes or hangs, its age and general condition, its size and length, and the overall feeling toward it from the narrator.
How it drapes: The dress was slinky; it clung to her curves and pooled like water at her feet.
Its age/condition: His jeans were faded and ratty at the seams, especially on the back pockets where there were inch-wide holes.
Its size/length: Her boyfriend’s XXL shirt nearly swallowed her up and fell to her knees like a shapeless potato sack.
Narrator feeling: It was an ugly gray uniform.
With all of these descriptors around, the business of relaying useful information to the the reader about a character’s clothing can get pretty muddled. No one wants to read a description like:
She wore a boring black silk blouse that was over-large, a few years old, and hung blandly from the crest of her breasts. Her shin-length gray tweed pencil skirt was also old and too small for her hips.
There is just way too much going on there. Too many descriptors. Cut out the adjectives and adverbs that aren’t absolutely necessary, the ones that don’t really add anything essential to character or the look and feel of the scene.
You may think that the above example is so obviously bloated that it’s too easy for me to state offhand that you must hack away at its descriptors and leave only the bare essentials. Well, I agree, but it is possible to have a decent bit of description and still overshare. For instance, it might be way too detailed to embroider the blouse and skirt example thusly:
She wore a black silk blouse that shone in the flourescent light of the waiting room. It had loose sleeves that gathered at the crook of her elbows with a little bow and buttons covered in the same sleek material as the blouse. Her skirt was made of gray tweed and slightly out of fashion. The waist cut uncomfortably into her stomach just below her navel and the hem rode up past her knees when she sat. She couldn’t cross her legs in the skirt; it was too tight.
Now, if the “loose sleeves that gathered at her elbows” are described for a purpose--maybe she has an injury or blemish she’s trying to conceal or she’s very modest--then details of this kind are great to have. Unless the details of the clothes are important to develop the character or the plot or the setting, you need not distract the reader with unnecessary description.
There are a few methods to consider when describing clothing.
Blocks. Block style moves from the biggest, most noticeable articles of clothing to the smallest. It describes in a similar order to what the eye sees. Since the largest piece of clothing at around eye-level will be covering the upper body, block style usually starts there with a shirt or jacket or the bodice of a dress. Layers in an outfit are described from the outermost clothing item to the innermost item, then go back to catch the accent items.
For example:
He wears a jacket, vest, and crisp white shirt with a checkered tie and matching blue pocket handkerchief.
Another fun tip: If items match, you only need to describe one with the corresponding details. Notice that I was able to omit the color of the tie because I said the blue handkerchief matched it and that I didn’t mention the pattern on the handkerchief because we knew that it at least looked good with a checkered tie.
In the instance of a dress, however, it is more likely that block style will point out the most noticeable (i.e. largest) part of the dress first. If the dress has a poofy skirt, you can bet block style will point that out. Regardless, if the article of clothing covering the upper body is separate from the article covering the lower body, block style usually describes the top first then moves to the bottom then to details like shoes, belts, and jewelry.
Colors. A large part of clothing is color. The color of what a person wears often depicts their mood without them realizing. It has a lot to do with color psychology (x), which describes how different colors affect a person’s mood.
The human eye is also attracted to bright colors (some of which even cause headaches and irritation, such as bright yellow or red), though the average eye can see around seven million colors. For more information on color theory, click here.
More likely than not, a person wearing orange might be noticed before a person wearing gray. The eye is drawn to the orange because it is bright and demanding. Weather also affects what colors a character would wear. For example, in winter months, many people wear darker colors such as black, navy, grays, and browns (termed neutrals) because the lack of Vitamin-D in the human body doesn’t allow for endorphins to be produced as largely, causing a decline in mood. It is commonly believed that darker colors represent darker or depressing moods. And in summer months, your character might be wearing brighter colors such as yellows, pinks, and greens because sunlight elevates a person’s mood.
It is also important to remember the cultures of your characters. Say a character is getting married and is of Irish descent. Assuming she’s traditional, she would wear a blue wedding dress because in ancient times, blue represented purity and was the prefered color for brides. In many cultures, such as in Sweden and China, the color white represents mourning or death. It is essential to research the culture of your characters. Otherwise, you may end up with a white wedding that feels like a heck-of-a-lot more like a funeral. For more on what brides wear around the world, click here. For more on color symbolism, try here and here.
Describing colors can be difficult and you don’t want to be put into the category of really cliche fan fiction descriptions. His green orbs watered and he blinked to keep the tears from spilling over... Not happening here. Generally, you’ll need another word to help describe the color of something (for a list, click here). For example:
His shirt was pastel blue.
Placing “pastel” in front of “blue” indicates that the blue that he was wearing was lighter, or closer to a neutral color than if he were to be wearing a dark blue shirt.
Her jeans were covered in patches fabric with flamboyant pink bunnies.
What do you think when you see the word flamboyant? You think bright; you think colorful; you think brightly colored and decorated. It adds more than just saying “Her jeans had patches in them”. Don’t be afraid to dip into the Crayola Crayon color dictionary and use names of colors like “Mac n’ Cheese Orange” or “Sahara Desert”. Used in the right context, these colors can add another dimension to your regular oranges and browns. Though these fun words are great alternatives to your average colors, be careful not to overuse them. No one wants to read one incredibly-detailed clothing item after another.
Fun fact: If you put a group of women in a room, those who are wearing red are most likely on their period.
Reverse Order of Dress. This is a weird one. When in doubt, describe in the order that you put on your clothes--backwards. Obviously, you’d want to start with the visible items and work your way closer and closer to the body. So, if you put on your shirt then your pants then your cardigan then your shoes, describe in that order.
** This is not to say that H will not continue this series later on. However, this is the extent of their collaboration.
This bit was written while listening to Windmills Of Your Mind:
Time.
Trapped and unable to do anything but wait and watch. To think of his failures and little cruelties. Thoughtless words and careless actions, all of which he’d take back if he could. The other had been retreating from him for decades - and there was nothing that he had done that had reached Nightmare.
No. No, that had been centuries ago. He’d been running from the very moment that the stone had crumbled. Were Nightmares eye lights always that haunting shade of blue?
~
This ficlet was written while listening to Early Morning Rain:
The clouds are dark grey, and Dream shivers as he pulls his cape in closer. Despite the chill, Blue is running through the rain, laughing and giddy, stars in his eye lights as the water hits him.
Ink leaned against a nearby tree, smirking a little bit at Blue’s earnest delight of the early morning rain. They would need to get moving soon, as they had
~
This ficlet was written while listening to For The Longest Time:
Ink couldn’t describe how his life had changed, since Dream had suddenly burst onto the scene, in an explosion of brightest gold and sweetest blue. The other’s very presence made him feel happy and nearly giddy. Fighting and living so along for so long… He had never thought about what it would be like to have a permanent companion, but this was so much better.
Dream was mysterious, keeping his past and his home timeline a secret. Ink cared not for the potential consequences of that. The… Everything felt so much better and brighter with Dream by his side.
The other’s sweet voice and bright smile made his heart flutter and his cheeks warm. Dream’s presence encouraged him to continue onwards when, in a moment of uncertainty and profound loneliness, he’d been thinking of stopping and sleeping.
Ink had been wary of Dream at first, but his warm and kind personality had shone through. Come what may, he would be happy to have the other at his side for the rest of eternity.
~
This ficlet was written while listening to I Gave You All:
Warnings: violence
Dream had found Nightmare crying at the base of their tree, and rushed over to the other’s side. He held the other in close, rocking him back and forth, pressing gentle kisses to his forehead. Dream tended to the other’s injuries. The villagers - some - came, but Dream just sent them away with a patient smile. They left and Dream whispers more loving words to Nightmare, trying to console him.
-
On his knees, Nightmare’s tendrils wrapped around his throat, and the other’s hands on his soul
~
This ficlet was written while listening to I Will Wait:
Ink could tell that Dream had been badly hurt in the past. The wide-eyed skittishness sand the wary watchfulness. Darting from place to place. Dream had been badly hurt, and Ink was content to wait as long as it took for his dear friend to heal and to trust him with whatever had caused him to be so skittish and jumpy in the first place.
Ink was content to wait to learn the other’s secrets at Dream’s pace, and when the other was ready, Ink would be happy to hold and hug Dream when the other allowed him so close. The warm skeleton was radiant and stunning… And Ink was certain that the other’s affection and attention was worth the wait that it would take to earn his trust.
~
This ficlet was written while looking at this picture prompt by writeworld:
Dream’s eye lights widen and he stills for a moment as he sees the tiny, fluffy owl sitting on a wooden fence post. The bird turns it’s head a little bit, the warm light of dawn causing it’s feathers to glow in the warm sunshine. The white spots are bright against the dark feathers. The owl stares at him for what feels like forever, before gliding towards him on silent wings It alights on Dream’s left shoulder and lets out a small, squeaky sound that warms his heart, and prompts a smile to appear on his face.
This ficlet was written while looking at this picture prompt by writeworld:
“Come on, it’s not much further, I promise!” Ink says with a grin as he urges Dream to follow. The sun has almost fully set, and the night sky is a brilliant green hue, with hundreds of stars shining brightly down on them.
“But where are we-” Dream begins to ask, before stopping dead, staring at the rushing waterfall that appears before him. The pool of water beneath is a brilliant azure and reflects the stars above. The steady rushing war of the water is stunning as it falls from the moss-covered brown cliff face. “Oh… Oh wow…”
“I know, right? Isn’t this place beautiful?” Ink prompts with a grin.
Dream makes his way to the water’s edge, carefully stepping over damp stones. “It is… Thank you for bringing me here.”
~
This ficlet was written while looking at this picture prompt by writeworld:
The fog has begun to roll in, but Blue doesn’t mind. He holds a flickering torch in hand, which paints the brown leaves in bright coppers and golds. Perhaps to someone else, the dark fog would be ominous and off-putting, but he is not. The cold night air is beginning to chill his bones, but Blue continues onwards.
He has a long journey ahead of him, and there is an inn not too far from where he can rest for the night. A slight breeze rustles the tree branches and, for a moment Blue swears that he could hear something whispering around him. Dark secertes, or hushed promises… Just quiet enough to not be fully understood.
~
This ficlet was written while listening to Dance Me To The End Of Love:
The music swells around the both of them, and Dream finds him dancing with Nightmare, unsure as to just when the other had appeared, nor where they were. One of his hands is on the darker spirit’s waist, the other laced in one of Nightmare’s.
The two of them dance and spin through the crowd, and he finds himself singing along to the rather maudlin song, gazing at Nightmare as he sings “Dance me to the end of love…”
The two of them continued to twirl and spin together, their steps perfectly matched.
~
This ficlet was written while listening to A Thousand Kisses Deep:
Nightmare smirks a little bit as he reads the reports on potential threats. This Ink has been a very annoying threat so far. The other has managed to rally several timelines from him - but the description of the other’s gilded companion… He’s found Dream. After centuries of searching and chasing he’s finally found Dream once again.
It was a balmy evening, and the sky was a foggy, dark violet-grey. He hummed softly, reminded of simpler times. Dream’s warm smiles and sweet kisses… They linger in his mind.
Dream had kept the golden cape and circlet, despite the fact that Nightmare would be able to find the other. The cape had been a gift, once upon a time.. But the fact that Dream had kept it meant something…
Nightmare had noted that Dream had been a tremulous help in Ink’s recent victories. Their little winning streak would be broken soon, as he intended to directly fact the both of them. And yet… What lingered most in his mind, were the many kisses that he and Dream shared so long ago…
~
This ficlet was written while listening to Who Knows Where The Time Goes:
Dream leans against the trunk of The Tree, a small smile appearing on his face as he watches the birds fly overhead. WInter was coming. His leans a little bit closer to Nightmare, a contented hum leaving him. The days all blended together, one into the next. So long as Nightmare is at his side, Dream didn’t care for the time that continued to march on. Let the mortals worry about such things.
With his beloved at his side, he had nothing to truly worry about.
~
This ficlet was written while listening to Minstrel Of The Dawn:
Warnings: severe injury, hopelessness
Dream smiles warmly as he sings, the guitar in his hands beautifully playing in his hands. He sung of joy and hope, of light and positivity The fire crackles warmly as the others gather around. Blue is stirring the stew in the pot that is set over the flickering flames It’s dark and they’re on the run - fleeing from those who would harm them if they could.
Dream keeps the sorrow he feels out of his voice and off of his face as he tries to encourage the others. Things will get better. Their misfortune is brief, and together, they will find peace and happiness.
~
This ficlet was written while listening to Knocking on Heaven’s Door:
Dream sinks down to his knees, a wet cough rattling his chest, his vision darkening, his magic spent. His bow had tumbled frown his hands, and all Dream wanted was a moment of peace. He… He couldn’t be a guardian any longer… If only someone could take the burden from him.
~
This ficlet was written while listening to Everybody Knows:
Everybody knows that something has changed. Darkness and despair has flooded, and light and warmth in the multiverse seems to all but vanished. Ink says that everything is fine, that this is just temporary… But everyone knows that he’s lying.
The creative guardian has no idea what has happened either. THe good timelines are much better, and the darker times have gotten so much worse, and no one knows why.
Error growls and snaps, and everyone knows the Destroyer’s temper an insanity has gotten worse, everyone knows this. He is hunting and vicious, and his fights with Ink have gotten worse.
“You always smile like you’re about to cry,” I say, staring at you. “Your face scrunches up in an unnatural way and your eyes glisten with unshed tears. When you try talking, your voice comes out almost strangled. You can just tell something’s wrong, something’s off whenever you smile.”
I sigh, looking down. I shake my head. “I reckon that’s because you never smile for real. Someone looks your way and you plaster on a fake smile, but as soon as they turn back the smile is replaced with a sorrowful face. A frown so deep it looks endless. How long has it been since you really smiled? When was the last time you actually laughed and felt joy?”
I slam my hand down on the counter in front of me. My voice is a crescendo of fury. “WHAT HAPPENED? WHAT HAPPENED TO THAT GIRL WHO LAUGHED AT EVERYTHING? THE ONE FELT FREE AND GAVE OUT GENUINE SMILES AS IF SHE HAD AN ENDLESS SUPPLY OF THEM?” My voice breaks, the tears are dripping down my face at this point. My hands grip the edge of the counter as I look up, broken with despair. “What happened to that girl? Where did she go? Who… who stole her from you?” I sob, my face scrunched up in pain, my reflection going blurry in front of me. “Why did you become this?”
