If you want futuristic fantasy simply follow the sci-fi/futuristic tips more or mix and match both sides. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 'There is a blog for every aspect of the writing journey.' Clean, powerful strikes were needed to disable a foe wearing mail. But it can also be fun to play with the confidence and ease that comes with wealth. Embarrassed by her own inability to dress in finery for the occasion (and by being upstaged), Katerina resorts to scathing mockery of Amalia. They're the Robin to your Batman, the Luigi to your Mario, the Samwise Gamgee to your Frodo Baggins. Clothing description is something I have to actively choose to create, too. Get an image of a blank shirt and simply draw the lines on it, it'll form a great base to work with. They are more common around the chest and torso in Asian cultures though, so keep that in mind when adding diagonal lines. - Gadgets, hair styles and accessories. Here are a few different types: We mentioned gambesons above. You can use visual description to make a character more vivid in the readers minds eye. - Taboos and nudity. With the major shapes in the thumbnails defined, choose the one that best exemplifies the feeling you're looking for. When heated, steel turns from yellow, to brown, to blue, to red. Some had pointed snouts, the purpose of which was to deflect arrows when walking into arrow storms. So here are some more ways to alter a design while sticking with familiarity and a more historic feel: 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. 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. Sweaters or jumpers? Mail was lightweight and flexible. Thus his plain dress is, ironically, indicative of higher status. 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. - Break up clothing into more separate pieces and give them their own styles. 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. It illustrates brilliantly the differences between fantasy armor and the boring armor of reality, in this case, Gothic armor. William the Conquerors society was shaped with war in mind. Think the previously mentioned Fifth Element and Hunger Games clothing versus Star Trek, Star Wars and so on clothing. First and foremost we need to know who we're designing for. 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. Thanks Chuck! Am I trying to blow the interview? What your character wears can tell us a lot about how they feel or how they want to feel. His writing offers a masterclass in how to describe clothing in stories. It gives you an idea of the capabilities that armor can have. A self-conscious kid tries to disappear inside their oversized sweatshirt. If it fits your universe it usually works, so don't be afraid of doing something different. Struggling with describing clothes for a fantasy setting. : r/DnD - reddit The train hums and throbs in place as people rush to pile in.. A vintage polka dot dress with a sweetheart neckline. Sure, it helps your reader to know how you picture a character. This pride, though justifiable, displeased Katerina Ivanovna for some reason. Theyre just too important defensively. 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. This is often enough to make something look more futuristic, especially if used on something that looks glossy, shiny and/or smooth. 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. One way is to avoid what we call filter words. I once wrote about imbuing everyday objects with meaning because talisman create great opportunities for symbolism! Tell us how the wool of your protagonists sheath dress scratches the skin on the underside of her arm. Your email address will not be published. But they could also dress in modest, inexpensive-looking clothes. 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. At least in most cases. If you stopped to think about it, you may even notice yourself imagining things as specific as age, hobbies, and ambitions. For example, a meticulously dressed character who is discovered in a disheveled and poorly dressed state. 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.. If youre trying to learn how to describe clothing in writing, youre probably like me: Youve only pretended to know what organza is. I can only imagine the pain of the chafing! Id be willing to bet each of these items immediately brought to mind a semi-clear character. Thanks, Sana. This idea of knights becoming lords was introduced in England by William the Conqueror. See more ideas about fantasy clothing, anime outfits, character outfits. Heres a video showing the effectiveness (or ineffectiveness) of leather armor against arrows. Game of Thrones/A Song Of Ice And Fire is one series that wonderfully explores fantasy armor and weapons. Perhaps its because the genre was born out of stories that emerged from the Middle Ages like Beowulf and King Arthur (around the 10th-11th century). Knights were, indeed, hard to defeat in battle. My story feels like its set more in medieval times, but I don't want my characters running around in full out tunics and. 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. Do they strive to be humble before their god or do they want to spend this one and only life as their bold, ostentatious selves? Odds are, youve got a character who dresses to stay alive. "A dress" (or using "the" to refer to a particular "garment") means an item of clothing that is normally worn by women. How do you describe this dress - Writing Forums All this to say: there is substantial storytelling power in a coral Life is Good t-shirt. Through fashion terms you can understand the fundamentals of the fashion industry. Delighted to hear youre finding this useful. Characters wear more than just clothes. Both doublets and chain mail were worn in conjunction with plated armor for that added protection, particularly for areas plate could not cover, such as arms and the groin. 04. 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. Thanks Benjamin! If youre good at talking clothes, you can sit this one out. Besides, these are all just guidelines meant to spark some inspiration in you. Maybe a bit of both. Separate and enlarge it, turn down the Opacity of the layer . 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. Mail was particularly effective against glancing blows. The surrounding culture dictates what they cant wear if they want to be seen as free-thinking individuals. Heres a superb glossary, with pictures, of all types of armor. Get free books, an invite to my exclusive writing group, writing tools and guides and much more when you join my community. Before I delve into the more detailed aspects of creating clothing there's one final thing to keep in mind and that is that fashion repeats itself. Think armor, bulletproof vests, and bandoliers. I mean what your character wears provides a clue to how they see themselves, how they want to be seen, and even how others see them. - 'Stealth'. This description generator will create a mostly random description of either a dress or a suit, fit for formal occasions and other fancy needs. Maybe your character is snuggled up in their fleece pajamas while the blizzard rages outside. Richie also runs The Fantasy Writers' Toolshed, a podcast devoted to helping writers improve their craft. You walk down the usual street and suddenly some old memory hits you. What is a good way to do Show not tell in a first person POV state? Most picture the knight when we talk about plated armorrigid tin men that can withstand all manner of blows. You can also fulfil (or contradict) impressions your characters (or readers) form based on appearances. He is old but stylish. It really doesnt take much. They looked something like this: One of the main defensive strengths of plated armor came from its curved design, which deflected both blades and arrows. You can even use different pieces of clothing to cover up body parts differently. I mentioned my online writing group at the beginning of this guide. 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. Katerina is affronted by Amalias fine dress because it is new and shows pride. He's had over a dozen short stories published in various magazines and journals, with one adapted for BBC radio. First and foremost, remember that clothing description is still storytelling. )Secrets might not be something youve specifically thought about when youre drafting a story. Here are some classic characteristics you can draw out through clothing description. ), The geographical location of your story. Its okay if Todds checks his designer watch three pages after you mention his silk tie. They mixed more traditional Asian styles with the more Western Industrial Revolution period styles. (Where do they buy their clothes?