- As far as colors go they often seem to be either toned down or bright and happy (or even over the top), depending on the style. Your main character just put on some makeup and changed into a fancy dress, complete with heels and a tiny handbag. Arrows will bounce off steel crafted in such a wayunless from close range, as we discussed, We mentioned gambesons above. Now, if you write historical fiction, its important to research the clothing of your chosen era. I didnt even know how to begin describing this piece of clothing. Well also take a look at female fantasy armor and those used by, Mail was particularly effective against glancing blows. I saw Jesus Christ Superstar a long time ago and Jesus was in a sharp black suit. The fantasy genre borrows an awful lot from medieval history. You may have seen steelworkers doing this after forging the likes of blades and horseshoes. What is a good way to do Show not tell in a first person POV state? Also try searching cool fantasy armor, or epic fantasy armor. If there is one thing I hope you take from all of this, its that none of this is about describing what a character looks like. Like all forms of exposition, your goal is to deliver this information without pulling the reader out of the story. - Make things look glossy, smooth and clean. That cloth ribbon tied around their waist? Metallic works well too, but make sure any metal bits or metallic looking bits are smooth and clean looking too, otherwise it might look too historic. Such simple things, but the clothes really helped show Jesus plight. In reality, a medieval lord could pretty much do what they liked. Pfoo, the owl! And lets not forget the trusty steed. Those outfits can become iconic. As knights became fully armored, so did their mounts. Because it actually is possible. Make it look very clean and smooth and it immediately feels more modern. - Gadgets, hair styles and accessories. It would have been extremely warm too. Youre more than welcome to join us and wed love to have you on board. Or else that she feels shamed by her Aunt and thus decides to be good. Pingback: Fantasy Weapons - Medieval, Magic And Other Types - Richie Billing, Helping writers on their journey and readers find their next favourite story.. Thats a good example of using clothing to reinforce the narrative of a characters arc. Further reading How To Write Fight Scenes. Clothes that are suitable for everyday wear rather than formal occasions. A few small details of clothing may distinguish your characters from each other, highlighting their personalities. Just click the button below to find out more. Its not an aspect of character design that bubbles up naturally from the depths of my creative soul. And medieval warfare was a bloody affair. You may have imagined a man in an expensive suit or a woman in designer clothes. 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This one is simple, right? Those warriors came from the people who lived on the lands under the watch of the knights. That was the theory. Make it mandatory to hold up a piece of clothing. Even the non-conformists are influenced by societal norms. Not really. How to Give Your Characters Style: Describing Clothing in Writing Written by MasterClass Last updated: Aug 19, 2021 3 min read Creating vivid descriptions for a story or character is a mark of a great writer. 2012 - This is great! Like Borges would say, If your character comes home and immediately sheds three layers of down and fleece, Im going to assume theyre not in San Antonio, Texas. Because like all other character details, its not enough to paint a picture. Heres how to describe clothing in writing to show your readers the world to which your character belongs. List of Medieval Clothing (91 terms!) - The Medieverse: Tim's Realistic Who doesnt like being comfortable when killing? It may be apocryphal, but Harold Godwinson is said to have done just that at the battle of Hastings in 1066. What does your character wear to feel safer in their world or in their own skin? Sneak around? As such, the contemporary tales that have followed, like Lord of the Rings, Game of Thrones, Dungeons and Dragons and everything in between, have paid homage to that era. I like the way you wrote this information. This idea of knights becoming lords was introduced in England by William the Conqueror. Think noble King Arthur and his knights of the roundtable. Ive always wondered that too! A warrior had to fight the enemy, and to fight his armor as well would be too distracting. It took a while to get ready, with the help of somebody else needed, usually squires, who began with the feet and worked up from there. I really loved this article, but I have one question, it was very helpful. If you write historical fiction, youre probably way ahead of me. 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. Even things like tattoos, hair colors, eye colors and so on can help with this. Copyright 2023 Richie Billing | Fantasy Writer. As well see below, one of the best things about using medieval armor in a fantasy story is the freedom to elevate it in some way. 70s-inspired. - Furs and other animal parts: A quick and obvious way of making something look more fantasy-themed is by simply adding elements of fantasy creatures. 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. Similarly, find out (or, if youre creating a fantasy world, create) the garments your characters would wear in a particular time and place. Stylish: Elegant and sophisticated clothing to grab attention. Knights werent as immobile as people assum, though I can imagine in a quagmire itd be tricky to get up. Katerina is affronted by Amalias fine dress because it is new and shows pride. We have all sorts of headphone designs to reflect our clothing styles and just wearing or not wearing a headphone will completely change how a character is often perceived. 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. Or one who was forever wearing poorly-fitted clothing that appeared to be handed down from friends? How to describe scenery ? : r/fantasywriters - reddit.com The Victorian author Charles Dickens is widely regarded as a master of characterization, for good reason. Youll be blown away by the number of awesome things on there. Only in certain situations is a description even needed. Great points. The aim is to arm you with what you need to enrich your tales with brilliant detail. Maybe theyre hoping to impress the cool kids or please their parents. 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. The more people that join this thriving group the better it becomes. I used to be under the mindset that describing attire was boring and it was better to let the reader fill in those details but especially with the novel Im working on now, I have used clothing to portray more about their character. The easy way to describe the setting is when the characters interact with it, e.g. Describing armor and clothing. : r/writing - reddit We see the contrast between the characters friends reaction and the advisory words of Gems aunt. With the major shapes in the thumbnails defined, choose the one that best exemplifies the feeling you're looking for. But even regular elements can help with this. Which was, indeed, a little weird straight off! A coat of mail was a complex web of metal rings, each locked with an iron rivet. It's easy to try this out too, at least the simple line version. Mail was particularly effective against glancing blows. It really doesnt take much. How to Analyze a Fashion Collection - Bloomsbury Fashion Central Theyre the lifeblood of any relationship. Pingback: The Life of the Medieval Lord - Richie Billing, Pingback: How To Create Your Very Own Living Breathing Fantasy World - Richie Billing, Pingback: Fantasy Races - The Ultimate Guide To Elves, Orcs and Dwarves | Richie Billing, Pingback: Killer Diseases of the Middle Ages | Richie Billing, Pingback: Medieval Cannons: The Essential Guide | Richie Billing, Pingback: On Writing: Fantasy Without Magic Of Metal and Magic Publishing, Pingback: The Lives Of Medieval Peasants - Richie Billing. Some helmets had chain attached which hung around and protected the neck, called an aventail, and most were padded inside, for added comfort. If all else fails use Google images and find some visual aids and inspiration sources, they can work wonders. I'm sort of into historical armor so would get a kick out of finding an excuse to talk about vambraces/rerebraces, spaulders, etc. Thanks, Sana. In a book, none of that is true. And well dip back in time to look at medieval armor and how it was used and crafted. 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. Smart: Neat and tidy clothes but not necessarily formal. Youre still not off the hook. I have a hard time describing my thoughts on content, but I really felt I should here. If you arent keeping at least a few secrets from your friends and loved ones, are you really living? In my case my character is new in town and this description of clothing doesnt come until hes getting ready for the party in chapter 4 and its in the context of getting dressed, there are reasons behind it, the party is a very big deal for him getting his foot in the door with other teens in town and he wants to be impressive or maybe wants lot of attention with all the sparklies. stylish, expensive clothing, yet not specific to a certain time or place. If youre trying to learn how to describe clothing in writing, youre probably like me: Youve only pretended to know what organza is. What are the rules of your characters world? 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. They work, they're safe and in many cases have become a standard. - Convert future clothing to a historic version. Will using real-world cultural vocabulary in a fantasy setting You dont need it to sign up. Like say a vest with mirrored sequins and rhinestones, but they all go in a pattern and you feel the need to describe the pattern line by line? Send private message Achievements: Need help with clothing description in Fantasy #1 I'm writing a Fantasy Novel in the middle ages, filled with swords and magic However, I realize I have trouble trying to convey how the characters look, like what the nobles' attire, the bandit's armor. Only the most powerful strikes could pierce such armor. Blades hacking, slicing and puncturing, cutting open gaping wounds and severing limbs and heads from bodies. Fancy clothing description generator - Fantasy name generators And above all, people share their writing, get feedback, build friendships and develop greater confidence not just in their writing, but in themselves too. I once wrote about imbuing everyday objects with meaning because talisman create great opportunities for symbolism! 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. The bully Gradgrind is the type whod wear a waistcoat concealing an eyeglass for catching people out. These small but mighty players can add depth, complexity, and a fresh perspective to your plot. 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. Play with the question of presentation and power! A velvet scrunchie. What the description shows is that many of the inviteesplay at status through fancy dress. But if you do want some guidelines, inspiration or just help this guide'll hopefully provide it. How do they change, and how does their clothing reflect that change? The unsung hero of so many stories. Maybe a bracelet represents a character's relationship to her mother. With all that armor, its often assumed the medieval knight was immobile. The fact Gem goes with jeans and a tee could suggest that she trusts her aunts advice. 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. Changes in characters clothing can help revealcharacter development. is because we get stuck on what things look like. Dont worry, thats not a trick question. Technology goes beyond simply what kind of clothes could be made though, it also relates to how technology is incorporated into style in general. And its in designs that you can really go wild with your own fantasy armor. We all love a character with a cool set of fantasy armor: the baresark Rek from David Gemmells Legend with his enchanted coat of bronze, or Tomas from Raymond Feists Riftwar Cycle with his gleaming white dragon plate which gifted him incredible power. The answer to this question gives you a ton of clarity. They could withstand high-velocity strikes from a javelin or lance, driven home by somebody charging forwards on horseback. Whether its a beekeeping suit, climbing helmet, knee pads, or sun-protective fabric, what your character wears provides a clue about whats at stake in the coming scene. To create a more futuristic looking style an easy way of doing it is to incorporate technology into the clothing itself. (Would people living in this area have access to leather goods? And if you dont write historical fiction? This includes things like a pilots uniform, a tiara, or a Pink Ladies jacket. In the historical fiction books Ive read, none of the heroes took off their helmets unless they were knocked off, or bashed in. 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. 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. Earlier I mentioned how it's important to try and keep a feel of unfamiliarity to futuristic clothing. We therefore see in the fantasy genre characters equipped with grand helmets and beautiful pieces of plate armor. Well cover everything from helmets and plate armor to chainmail. 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. How to describe clothing in a story: Creating characters Once quenched, the steel was re-heated to make it more resilient. Figurative language . Clothing in fantasy novel | Absolute Write Water Cooler The clothes a person wears tellsus many things: their status in life, for example, or their cultural affiliation or identity. Never hose for men and probably never puffy breeches. It's something we have today as well, but they're oddly uncommon and work great for more futuristic looks. Slog through another meaningless day in a world where nothing matters? Heres a superb glossary, with pictures, of all types of armor. In pre-thermometer times this was difficult as you can imagine, so instead, armorers observed the colour of the heated steel. Thanks Benjamin! A pair of starched Wranglers. Would the fashion designers in your fantasy novel make use of dragon scales? At least in most cases. They mixed more traditional Asian styles with the more Western Industrial Revolution period styles. If you want futuristic fantasy simply follow the sci-fi/futuristic tips more or mix and match both sides. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. 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. Look at this picture, is it insane for an author to try to describe this on a character? In Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment, the poor, Tuberculosis-stricken Katerina Ivanovnas husband is trampled to death by a horse-drawn cart. Whereas a more confident or attention seeking person might seek out the edges of what's socially acceptable more or just wear more stylish and potentially more colorful or flamboyant clothing. Consider this example from Hard Times. In this scene, Gradgrind returns home to find his children playing outside: A space of stunted grass and dry rubbish being between him and the young rabble, he took his eyeglass out of his waistcoat to look for any child he knew by name, and might order off. And when Mother Nature gets involved, even the best suit of armor can have problems. Armor, therefore, wasnt that heavya full suit weighed approximately 50 pounds, which is around 3 to 4 stone. Think armor, bulletproof vests, and bandoliers. You can weave clothing description into your process when using our story planner for writers. And if you want more, this documentary is excellent. The line could be thin or thick, glowing, metallic-looking or just plain, padded or smooth, patterned, decorated or simply a seem. A vintage polka dot dress with a sweetheart neckline. He is old but stylish. Those of us who dont get all jazzed about writing clothing descriptions often fail to consider that a good wardrobe has layers. Otherwise they wont take you seriously as an artist.. Stockings, long gloves, scarves or separate layers of clothing make a huge difference. Separate and enlarge it, turn down the Opacity of the layer . These shallow details help us go pretty deep on character. Struggling with describing clothes for a fantasy setting. : r/DnD - reddit Fashionably elegant and sophisticated. For more information, please see our Pauldrons, gauntlets, and even leg armor were fashioned into elaborate designs. Love this topic!! Very informative. As the battle continued through the day, a rumor grew that Harold had died or fled the field, I forget which. Chausses / Chauces (15th century) Pantaloons; padded hosen for the legs, often worn under chainmail or plate armor. First and foremost, remember that clothing description is still storytelling. For example, a meticulously dressed character who is discovered in a disheveled and poorly dressed state. For instance, if I'm reading a story and the narrative mentions jeans right off, I'm thinking mid twentieth century or later (while dungarees would be late nineteenth . Im struggling to properly figure out how to describe clothing for a fantasy setting Im trying to create. How to Describe Clothing in a Story (with Examples) | Now Novel Have fun with it. 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. Also his mother was poor and anyone who knew that might wonder how he could afford such clothing so it hints at the actual story. But they could also dress in modest, inexpensive-looking clothes. However, you can show and imply a characters intention without spelling it out: Theyd agreed to meet downtown at six. Both can lose clout simply by the way their peers respond to their wardrobe choices. 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. Its because concrete details are incredibly effective in communicating abstract concepts. Baggy. Either way, their goal is to be desirable, whatever desirable means in this situation. I sincerely hope youve found some inspiration for your fantasy medieval armor. Nov 28, 2022 - Explore Anung V's board "Character description" on Pinterest. Abi Wurdeman is the author of Cross-Section of a Human Heart: A Memoir of Early Adulthood, as well as the novella, Holiday Gifts for Insufferable People. Your articles are always very informative. One major element that makes creating more futuristic clothing easier is to make sure it doesn't look familiar, to make sure it doesn't look like something you'd come across today. What backstory or character motivations could combinations of appearance and reality suggest? Think of the process like dressing a doll: start at the beginning and up build the layers. What your character wears reveals where they come from, how they rank in society, how they want to be perceived, and even how they feel about themselves. The important thing to remember is to remain in the character's point of view. That decorative belt? Help your readers feel the relaxed, organic cotton or the memory foam slipper, and theyll feel your characters priorities deep in their own souls. Think of other interesting combinations: A teacher who dresses provocatively; a beggar with an innate sense of style. But that doesn't mean you can't deviate from these guidelines completely and do whatever you wish. I second the idea of describing the reactions of the characters to the city. The appearance of armor was a big deal for knights. A self-conscious kid tries to disappear inside their oversized sweatshirt. Its a good time. Wearing a suit of armor was like being in your own private world. But there is so much more to the experience of clothing than that. And if you were skilled at surviving and killing, it was a good way to make a living. Or at least they know what century theyre in. Thanks I will be following your blog from now one I just came across it today. For example, if a character is going on a date, you could write: Gem wanted to look sexy for her date downtown (but not easy), so she changed into more comfortable clothes. But I find looking back in time to the likes of the medieval period can provide some wonderful and unique ideas. So its unsurprising to see soldiers wielding swords and axes and shooting bows. One character might demonstrate their power by showing up to prom in a designer gown. 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. These detail could suggest that your character is miserly or down-to-earth despite their wealth. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 'There is a blog for every aspect of the writing journey.' Nylon and polyester fabrics weren't invented until almost the mid 20th century for example. Improve this answer. Are they overalls or coveralls? Strips of leather were boiled in water, though some sources record oil and wax being used, and even animal urine. As time marched on, small plates of leather or iron were added to the mail to protect key areas, such as vital organs. First and foremost we need to know who we're designing for. Its all in the craft.Its good that youre here to learn how to describe clothing in writing, because its a powerful tool. It's what we're slowly doing today. Use fashion and clothing history archives if necessary. Maybe your character is snuggled up in their fleece pajamas while the blizzard rages outside. See how Dickens contrasts the fact-obsessed, overbearingteacher Thomas Gradgrind and his wifes personalities through (among other details) their clothing description. Get free books, an invite to my exclusive writing group, writing tools and guides and much more when you join my community. These are deep questions. Fashion photographer Bill Cunningham said, Fashion is the armor to survive the reality of everyday life. Try applying this philosophy to clothing descriptions in your writing and see what happens. So we've covered ways to make clothing look both futuristic and historic, but these are all just guidelines and mostly based on what's been done before. The complete opposite is true for fantasy and historic clothing. The aim was not to cause any impediment to movement. The rope belt is solely decorative and a status symbol. How to design clothes with a sci-fi feel | Creative Bloq He's had over a dozen short stories published in various magazines and journals, with one adapted for BBC radio. One of her poems is (legally) stamped into a sidewalk in Santa Clarita, California. Heating to the perfect temperature was key. Someone jumps down from a boundary wall wearing dark clothes and clutching a bag, that's enough of a clue they're a burglar, and if the protagonist now has to chase them then a description of the form those clothes take down to the buckles on the shoes is going to break the flow. Do they need a ghillie suit to blend into the natural environment? That works. But status can be communicated in more subtle ways, too. 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. I don't mean make your characters walk around naked, but exposing (or covering) body parts in ways we don't today helps make ordinary clothing look different, which in turn helps sell the idea of it being futuristic.
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