Not to pile on, but dont forget to make sure you know which materials wereand werentavailable in the world of your novel. As knights became fully armored, so did their mounts. ), Your character and communitys financial resources. By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. Designing fantasy armor for your characters can be an awful lot of fun. 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. The pieces around the vital organsthe chest and headwere thicker and heavier than those on the arms and legs to try and reduce weight as much as possible. Arrows will bounce off steel crafted in such a wayunless from close range, as we discussed, We mentioned gambesons above. You can also check out some of my other guides too, like: If you have any questions about this guide on fantasy armor, please get in touch. Lets take a look at some individual pieces of armor. On the other hand you may wish to add layers for the same purpose. 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. Some had pointed snouts, the purpose of which was to deflect arrows when walking into arrow storms. In most cases simply copying the style of whichever era you've based your story on is enough, but it can be fun to create your own styles and in some cases it'd make sense to have your own styles as well. Is your central conflict a life-or-death situation? Here are a few different types: We mentioned gambesons above. Youre more than welcome to join us and wed love to have you on board. Clothing tells your reader a lot about your characters goals and motivations within a given scenario. What exactly are you trying to communicate about the character, setting, or situation? Never hose for men and probably never puffy breeches. They can be important too.If you want to breathe life into your stories, it's time to give tertiary characters a little love. The fact Gem goes with jeans and a tee could suggest that she trusts her aunts advice. I mentioned my online writing group at the beginning of this guide. The description will describe a lot of clothing pieces, some of which you may not need depending on where your character lives. She also writes for film and television with her brother and writing partner, Phil Wurdeman. PsstDoes Your Character Have a Secret? Think of the process like dressing a doll: start at the beginning and up build the layers. It's also an indirect way to describe their physical appearance by examining how the clothes fit them. This is a heavy generalization of course and entirely based on Western culture of today, but these rules may not apply at all in a fictional universe, no matter if it's futuristic or based on a historic setting. See more ideas about fantasy clothing, anime outfits, character outfits. Really like your article. But status can be communicated in more subtle ways, too. Like Borges would say, For fantasy stories to be more believable, we need to understand how it interacts with our characters, especially if theyre enchanted. There's also the element of technology that has to be taken into account. The answer can guide you towards certain fashion trends to inspire your characters wardrobe. See more ideas about character description, fantasy fashion, fantasy clothing. And when Mother Nature gets involved, even the best suit of armor can have problems. show how hard is to escape in a narrow street. With all that armor, its often assumed the medieval knight was immobile. Such coats were made from brass or iron, though steel was deemed best due to its toughness. Consider this example from Hard Times. I'm talking about the jagged, triangular shapes you find on some stealth planes or the digital camouflage patterns. Or is it really important for a reader to know the specific pattern? Mantel describes the cardinals vestments: They bring out the cardinals vestments, his copes. Clothes that are suitable for everyday wear rather than formal occasions. 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. Well, mostly. Youre not infodumping. Thanks, Sana. Most picture the knight when we talk about plated armorrigid tin men that can withstand all manner of blows. Now turn the edges a different color or make them light up and you immediately have a more futuristic looking suit. I'm sort of into historical armor so would get a kick out of finding an excuse to talk about vambraces/rerebraces, spaulders, etc. Sure, it helps your reader to know how you picture a character. The more people that join this thriving group the better it becomes. It can be as simple as making a dress shorter, a jacket longer or sleeves wider and longer. Lets take a look at how clothing description indicates your characters identity, goals, and culture. Improve this answer. Get free books, an invite to my exclusive writing group, writing tools and guides and much more when you join my community. However, you can tell your reader interesting things through a mismatch: A wealthy character might show off their expensive clothing. (Huh.). The last minute change suggests an indecisive nature. We therefore see in the fantasy genre characters equipped with grand helmets and beautiful pieces of plate armor. That was the theory. Our wardrobes are influenced by our age, geography, culture, hobbies, and a million other aspects of our worlds. Using this site means trees will be planted. These images all go a lot further than white socks, green dress, and most of them dont require a lot of extra words. Sometimes the simplest changes are enough to create something completely new and ideal for a particular universe. New comments cannot be posted and votes cannot be cast. So let's delve deeper into the details of how to actually figure out what your character wears. What is the prevailing value in the society of your story? Get it right, and you transport your readers to a vivid world. Casual. If you want futuristic fantasy simply follow the sci-fi/futuristic tips more or mix and match both sides. Now add a thick, layered scarf or attach a hood to this tunic and you're already well on your way to a customized look. Whats the respected uniform, and does your character wear it? Really, the topic of this article is not how to describe clothing in writing as much as it is how to tell a story with clothes. 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. They can tell us what era they live in, and even a persons current state of mind or intent. And right at the heart of it were the leaders of societythe medieval lords. Or one who was forever wearing poorly-fitted clothing that appeared to be handed down from friends? A scarlet pantsuit. 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. What is a good way to do Show not tell in a first person POV state? So its unsurprising to see soldiers wielding swords and axes and shooting bows. The easy way to describe the setting is when the characters interact with it, e.g. Adding them with intention can help increase tension, make twists hit that much harder, and keep your reader engaged., How to Describe Clothing in Writing Without Boring Everybody, Tertiary Characters: Giving Your Background Players Life, Sidekicks: The Loyal Companion Your Hero Needs. Strips of leather were boiled in water, though some sources record oil and wax being used, and even animal urine. The important thing to remember is to remain in the character's point of view. I can only imagine the pain of the chafing! Let your mind fill in the details, always checking back in with your adjectives to make sure the concept is moving in the right direction. 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. Then this is their category. Helpful links to blog posts, articles, videos and guides are shared every day. Like Dostoyevsky, think how something as small as a characters change of clothing can affecttheir own or others behaviour. A knight, by definition, was a lord. In the historical fiction books Ive read, none of the heroes took off their helmets unless they were knocked off, or bashed in. clothed and we should definitely be using them to portray our characters personalities. As the battle continued through the day, a rumor grew that Harold had died or fled the field, I forget which. Its okay if Todds checks his designer watch three pages after you mention his silk tie. You can even use different pieces of clothing to cover up body parts differently. Stylish. But they are a common element used in fantasy clothing in all sorts of works of fiction. Stealthy clothes bring to mind burglars clad in black outfits and soft-soled sneakers. Cookie Notice Nov 28, 2022 - Explore Anung V's board "Character description" on Pinterest. 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. Achieving glory in battle was one way of earning a knighthood. - Use lines to break up a piece of clothing and create a kind of mosaic. Or are you writing a spy character who dons Lululemon to infiltrate an upscale yoga studio? 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. This article was very helpfulcan you post some examples of showing versus telling when describing clothing? Fully geared up, you were a walking fortress. His writing offers a masterclass in how to describe clothing in stories. Heres a superb glossary, with pictures, of all types of armor. Im writing a little in the Epic Fantasy genre and there were quite a few useful notes I wasnt aware of here. But there is so much more to the experience of clothing than that. Only in certain situations is a description even needed. To create a more futuristic looking style an easy way of doing it is to incorporate technology into the clothing itself. 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. I thought if I did that at the beginning of a chapter it would be better but I worry it will turn readers off. These small but mighty players can add depth, complexity, and a fresh perspective to your plot. Thank you for sharing this valuable information. 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. Ready to sketch vivid characters for your novel? It may be apocryphal, but Harold Godwinson is said to have done just that at the battle of Hastings in 1066. 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. And what weve covered here today is only just the tip of the iceberg. Clothing reflects the resources available in a specific time and place. To illustrate this in a way we did with the futuristic shirt example let's take a standard medieval tunic and turn it into a fantasy-themed version. 70s-inspired. How do they change, and how does their clothing reflect that change? I never thought of there being a uniform for Midwestern ladyness. Fashionable: Clothes representing a current style in fashion. Which brings me to my next point. is because we get stuck on what things look like. 2012 - Creating new clothing styles for fictional worlds can be a daunting task, there's just so much out there already and so many elements to play around with to create a fun and unique style, no matter whether the art form is visual or not. When shes not writing, Abi is most likely hiking, reading, or texting her mother pictures of her houseplants to ask why they look like that. In pre-thermometer times this was difficult as you can imagine, so instead, armorers observed the colour of the heated steel. 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. In reality, a medieval lord could pretty much do what they liked. Figurative language . The answer to this question gives you a ton of clarity. - 'Stealth'. 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. Do not describe a character's clothing except as that point of view character would do so. Or theyll be living off soda crackers and peanut butter for the next week because they drained their checking account for a suit to impress at their job interview. If your character comes home and immediately sheds three layers of down and fleece, Im going to assume theyre not in San Antonio, Texas. Any suggestions on how to properly do this? Its about building a life and a world, and that is something you can do. An anxious college student buys a flower crown in the hopes of feeling young and free at Coachella. Each suit was tailored to the individual. Which is to say, if you write from the point of view of a character who thinks of clothing only in terms of the simplest descriptors, that's just fine. Hopefully, you now have more wardrobe ideas for your characters than just red shirt, blue pants. But what about the process of actually sharing these details in your novel? Consider whether your characters attire might serve as a symbol, highlight a theme, or represent a conflict. For a bigger image, just click on the link above. - Gadgets, hair styles and accessories. What would you think about a wealthy character who looked as though he shopped at thrift stores? Think touchable fabrics and the light scent of lavender soap. But the biggest challenge can sometimes be simply making something look futuristic or historic fantasy-ish, which is the main focus of this guide. Those outfits can become iconic. And above all, people share their writing, get feedback, build friendships and develop greater confidence not just in their writing, but in themselves too. Maybe a bit of both. But thats the case wherever you go. 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. Privacy Policy. Such simple things, but the clothes really helped show Jesus plight. And what does she put that cap on for? If you stopped to think about it, you may even notice yourself imagining things as specific as age, hobbies, and ambitions. We naturally link clothing and identity, which is why wardrobe is such an effective tool for building a vivid character. Hi Paige, thank you (and thanks for your question). Its all in the craft.Its good that youre here to learn how to describe clothing in writing, because its a powerful tool. But your reader is going to picture something whether you guide them or not. Great article. You can quickly convey a number of things about your characters based on the clothing they wear. 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. Who doesnt like being comfortable when killing? Use fashion and clothing history archives if necessary. I second the idea of describing the reactions of the characters to the city. 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. Richie also runs The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a podcast devoted to helping writers improve their craft. 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. Changes in characters clothing can help revealcharacter development. To navigate your way through this guide, just click the links below. Its a bit OCD of me. These elements are very important when taking into account the previous point. The time period of your story. 28 First of all, beautiful dress and mask! So as a way of trying to control them and their behaviour, the code of chivalry and honour was introduced. Impress someone with my indifference? Get an image of a blank shirt and simply draw the lines on it, it'll form a great base to work with. Similar to how pixelated designs tend to look more futuristic so do designs full of geometrical shapes. Stockings, long gloves, scarves or separate layers of clothing make a huge difference. Youre already obsessing over hat styles and what the undergarment situation was at the time of your story. A vintage polka dot dress with a sweetheart neckline. See how Dickens contrasts the fact-obsessed, overbearingteacher Thomas Gradgrind and his wifes personalities through (among other details) their clothing description. Allrightsreserved, create an authentic sense of time and place, Use fashion and clothing history archives, https://uploads.disquscdn.com/images/e7bbcc198c936bc1af3fbda128514c44fcfc10f0513ea31cad7c21ae61ba0ab0.jpg, 1: Use clothing to show status and position, 2: Build (or thwart) expectations using clothing descriptions, 3: Describe clothing to contrastcharacters personalities, 4: Show clothing to avoid over-relying on telling, 5: Change characters clothing to highlight character development, 6: Use clothing details to recreate authentic setting, Build (or thwart) expectations using clothing descriptions, Describe clothing to contrast character personalities, Show clothing to avoid over-relying on telling, Change clothing to highlight character development, Use clothing details to create authentic setting. Examples of the latter are The Fifth Element and The Hunger Games. - Use lines to break up a piece of clothing and create a kind of mosaic. Look at this picture, is it insane for an author to try to describe this on a character? And if you need a place to organize your complex responses, I recommend Dabbles Character Notes feature. 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. Play with the question of presentation and power! You suddenly know which details to include, which to leave out, and whether to call it a blood-red cloak or a goji berry wrap. Again, I don't mean make your character walk around naked, but add elements of covering up or exposing certain areas of the body. Were trying to avoid, Isabell gazed out the window, and by the way, she was wearing a white terry cloth robe.. Would the fashion designers in your fantasy novel make use of dragon scales? Sweaters or jumpers?

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