A scarf for example might be too hot for some areas, but it's obviously easy to leave those out. 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. Nudity was often either a complete taboo or just common place in many cultures throughout history, so by changing these taboos (and others) you immediately create a fictional piece. But your reader is going to picture something whether you guide them or not. Instead of saying, for example I saw that the station gate was coming down and the last train was about to leave, you could say The station gate is already screeching closed. The clothes a person wears tellsus many things: their status in life, for example, or their cultural affiliation or identity. Subtle clothing changes can signal character development quite effectively in some scenarios. 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. Even the non-conformists are influenced by societal norms. Clothing tells your reader a lot about your characters goals and motivations within a given scenario. For example, a shy person will often wear 'regular' clothing, clothing that isn't too bright or outgoing in both design and colors. In writing, the clothes kind of do make the (hu)man. Otherwise they wont take you seriously as an artist.. Your character might also have a job or hobby that requires protective clothing. Think armor, bulletproof vests, and bandoliers. Pingback: A fantasy writers guide to Castles and Keeps: part one Richie Billing. Cookie Notice 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. - "Digital look". Discover an extensive list of terms you may want to know here. He is old but stylish. In a fantasy setting, you may be trying to conjure up a certain feel right off the bat based on how you describe a character's clothing (and the words you use to describe them). What matters more to them: fashion or function? The fantasy genre borrows an awful lot from medieval history. Well come to this below. Or they could be frantically running errands in leggings and a t-shirt. It was pretty easy to make, though laborious, and easy to repair. - Mix cultures. Since it's a friends' get-together, let's wear casual attire. Blunt weapons were effective, causing haemorrhaging and concussion, so padded garments known as a doublet or gambeson were worn underneath to provide added protection. Those warriors came from the people who lived on the lands under the watch of the knights. An owl in new ribbons, ha-ha-ha! Not all trends return and fashion isn't perfectly cyclical. 100 Male Fantasy Outfit Concepts & Designs ideas | fantasy clothing Very informative. By playing around with this you quickly create very subtle, but more unique fantasy-themed items. Another might claim power by striding in wearing torn jeans and a tank top. 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. Besides knowing who we design for we also have to know what the rules for designing are within the universe of our characters. In some cases because they simply didn't have the technology for it, in others because it was too expensive and/or time consuming for the average person. And if you dont write historical fiction? In other words: To describe a fantasy world, use either neutral terms, or made up words. In battle, you are trying to strike a moving target, so mail was sufficient as most blows were glancing ones. The rope belt is solely decorative and a status symbol. I second the idea of describing the reactions of the characters to the city. 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. 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. Vividly describing the colors of your character's clothing can enliven ordinary writing. Fashionably elegant and sophisticated. Like Marquez, compare and contrast characters clothes to reveal important details about their social status or position. Nov 1, 2019 - Explore Arisa Nightingale's board "Male Fantasy Outfit Concepts & Designs", followed by 456 people on Pinterest. Give your wealthy character a pair of Louboutins and dress your non-wealthy characters in hand-me-downs. 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. ^.^ Excuse the on hold background music. Delighted to hear youre finding this useful. 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. Clean, powerful strikes were needed to disable a foe wearing mail. So below, well take a look at the relationship between the genre of fantasy and medieval armor. Given that I am writing alone in my apartment, you might rightfully conclude that my goal is to be comfortable. In Dostoyevskys Crime and Punishment, the poor, Tuberculosis-stricken Katerina Ivanovnas husband is trampled to death by a horse-drawn cart. The aim was not to cause any impediment to movement. And if you need a place to organize your complex responses, I recommend Dabbles Character Notes feature. [Find more articles on character description in our complete guide to character creation.]. No problem! Another similar and perhaps way more popular example of this is Steampunk. 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. Share. In reality, a medieval lord could pretty much do what they liked. Figurative language . But they could also dress in modest, inexpensive-looking clothes. I can only imagine the pain of the chafing! Its not an aspect of character design that bubbles up naturally from the depths of my creative soul. Our imaginations can do a surprising amount with just a few key details. What are the rules of your characters world? And well dip back in time to look at medieval armor and how it was used and crafted. Because it actually is possible. And what weve covered here today is only just the tip of the iceberg. One easy way of creating a more customized look is to simply use cultural elements in the standard clothing. Use your first-person narrators senses sight, hearing, touch, etc. But even regular elements can help with this. It really doesnt take much. Follow edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:43. Here, for example, Hilary Mantel describes a Cardinals residence being plundered by the Kings men in 1529 England, in her historical novel Wolf Hall. I sincerely hope youve found some inspiration for your fantasy medieval armor. To create a more futuristic looking style an easy way of doing it is to incorporate technology into the clothing itself. They are more common around the chest and torso in Asian cultures though, so keep that in mind when adding diagonal lines. So this really reaffirmed that approach for me. Game of Thrones/A Song Of Ice And Fire is one series that wonderfully explores fantasy armor and weapons. One of the first things I learned when I moved to L.A. is that writers do not dress professionally for big meetings in Hollywood. - 'Stealth'. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts Another benefit to chain mail, a point which can slip the mind of writers, is that it was cheap and efficient, able to accommodate different-sized warriors, unlike expensive plated armor. Clothing description also presents an opportunity to play with different points of view. A common (wood) elvish theme is to have lots of green tints, flowery elements and intricate embroidery. Do all your characters embrace it? I tried to add as much variety as possible, but without turning the whole description into a mess. Chausses / Chauces (15th century) Pantaloons; padded hosen for the legs, often worn under chainmail or plate armor. Is this purely for cinematic effect or would some leaders remove their helmets to show their faces to their soldiers? A possible source of conflict for a story, perhaps! or the world theyre desperately resisting. Your email address will not be published. Get free books, an invite to my exclusive writing group, writing tools and guides and much more when you join my community. Clothes that are loose and hanging in folds. Improve this answer. Thus, "a dress" is inappropriate for a (male) prince, unless he is pretending to be a woman. Obviously clothing is extremely varied, especially dresses. - Use lines to break up a piece of clothing and create a kind of mosaic. 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. How to describe clothing in a story: Creating characters 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. 60s-inspired. Even things like tattoos, hair colors, eye colors and so on can help with this. - Another way to use color is to make things seem like they're glowing even if they're not and to use gradients. How to design clothes with a sci-fi feel | Creative Bloq There's also the element of technology that has to be taken into account. Knights were, indeed, hard to defeat in battle. I tend to avoid describing clothing. Maybe theyre wearing an article of clothing that once belonged to someone theyve lost. Jordan is a writer, editor, community manager and product developer. For example, fur usually wasn't used as a piece of decoration for clothing and if used at all was often worn around the neck and shoulders or underneath other (often hide) clothing to keep warm. How to Describe Clothing in Writing Without Boring Everybody To make it futuristic you could change where the buttons are, they're normally quite low and form a v-neck line when buttoned up, how about moving them to the top and creating an upside down V shape at the bottom. Im writing a little in the Epic Fantasy genre and there were quite a few useful notes I wasnt aware of here. That also will help readers really experience things through their eyes. 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. Similarly, show how different characters personalities are through apt clothing description. Medieval clothing description generator - Fantasy name generators 2023 NOW NOVEL CC. I dont mean camisoles and cardigans. 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. Need help with clothing description in Fantasy | Royal Road There's a few other elements to keep in mind as well, but in most cases it's best not to worry at all, let your imagination go wild and simply create and enjoy what you want to create. Writing Tips on Describing Clothes - Pen and the Pad document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 'There is a blog for every aspect of the writing journey.' - Convert future clothing to a historic version. Theyre probably less concerned with how they look (unless they want to look intimidating) and more concerned with things like survival or victory. They could withstand high-velocity strikes from a javelin or lance, driven home by somebody charging forwards on horseback. Whether its a matter of indulgence or survival, feeling good is a deeply relatable goal. Our wardrobes are influenced by our age, geography, culture, hobbies, and a million other aspects of our worlds. Wearing a suit of armor was like being in your own private world. Glasses, headsets, lenses, jewelry, belts and so on can all help sell the futuristic look. Any suggestions on how to properly do this? Try some colour. Consider whether your characters attire might serve as a symbol, highlight a theme, or represent a conflict. (Huh.). And lets not forget the trusty steed. Or are you writing a spy character who dons Lululemon to infiltrate an upscale yoga studio? Stylish: Elegant and sophisticated clothing to grab attention. Thanks I will be following your blog from now one I just came across it today. If you stopped to think about it, you may even notice yourself imagining things as specific as age, hobbies, and ambitions. His writing offers a masterclass in how to describe clothing in stories. This includes things like a pilots uniform, a tiara, or a Pink Ladies jacket. Pingback: A fantasy writers guide to weaponry Richie Billing. Once quenched, the steel was re-heated to make it more resilient. Of course there are more ways to alter historic designs and the middle ages aren't the only period to draw inspiration from. Copyright 2023 Richie Billing | Fantasy Writer. A lowly one at that, but one very much capable of climbing the ladder. Maybe a bracelet represents a character's relationship to her mother. Thanks Liv, Im glad you found this helpful. This is a fun one. That's why it's valuable to learn these terms. Lets take a look at some ways you can develop those unique ideas: In this section, well take a look at some cool pieces of knight armor in fantasy that people have designed over the years, to give you even more inspiration for your own designs. Maybe theyre hoping to impress the cool kids or please their parents. This pride, though justifiable, displeased Katerina Ivanovna for some reason. Particularly in genres such as historical fiction and fantasy, clothing can help to create other worlds (or a long gone era of our own). Chain mail is a great piece of fantasy armor to use in your stories purely because of its flexibility. This usually involves dresses from some time pre-renaissance and a tunic or shirt paired with trousers for men and women who are doing warrior stuff. Mail was lightweight and flexible. 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. The eye slits were narrow to prevent all sizes of arrowheads from finding their way through. He's had over a dozen short stories published in various magazines and journals, with one adapted for BBC radio. 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. Thanks Benjamin! On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. Dragon scales, fiery furs and feathers and other elements can quickly turn a standard item into a fantasy one. 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. He received his BA Honours in English Literature and his undergraduate in English Literature and Music from the University of Cape Town. 160 Best Character description ideas | character description, fantasy Slog through another meaningless day in a world where nothing matters? Your trust fund character might be completely confident showing up to a party in board shorts and flip-flops. Armor, therefore, wasnt that heavya full suit weighed approximately 50 pounds, which is around 3 to 4 stone. Well, mostly. If all else fails use Google images and find some visual aids and inspiration sources, they can work wonders. We therefore see in the fantasy genre characters equipped with grand helmets and beautiful pieces of plate armor. We naturally link clothing and identity, which is why wardrobe is such an effective tool for building a vivid character. As the battle continued through the day, a rumor grew that Harold had died or fled the field, I forget which. A person who doesn't want to draw attention to themselves would dress completely differently today than they would even a few decades ago. The last minute change suggests an indecisive nature. As a friend told me, Wear jeans and glasses and have a favorite pen. I'm sort of into historical armor so would get a kick out of finding an excuse to talk about vambraces/rerebraces, spaulders, etc. Maybe a bit of both. Get it right, and you transport your readers to a vivid world. They work, they're safe and in many cases have become a standard. The description will describe a lot of clothing pieces, some of which you may not need depending on where your character lives. - 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. The good news is that attire is not only important, its also kind of fun when you start digging into it. Or else that she feels shamed by her Aunt and thus decides to be good. 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. Your articles are always very informative. s a fantastic image that Thomas Feichtmeir, AKA Cyangmou has put together. Mantel describes the cardinals vestments: They bring out the cardinals vestments, his copes. Use the Character section of the Idea Finder to develop quick story ideas and flesh out your storys cast. Clothing is one of the easiest and most immediate ways to establish an historical setting. But thats the case wherever you go. Or one who was forever wearing poorly-fitted clothing that appeared to be handed down from friends? Make it look very clean and smooth and it immediately feels more modern. This can be a very effective way if your universe is based on an existing culture. Clothing reflects the resources available in a specific time and place. The bully Gradgrind is the type whod wear a waistcoat concealing an eyeglass for catching people out. But they are a common element used in fantasy clothing in all sorts of works of fiction. 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. Have fun with it. Youre still not off the hook. Earlier I mentioned how it's important to try and keep a feel of unfamiliarity to futuristic clothing. Fantasy Armor - The Ultimate Guide - Richie Billing Understanding how to describe clothing in a story well will help you create fuller, richer character portraits. Trendy: Modern, fashionable, and up-to-date outfits. Richard the Lionheart, for instance, was celebrated amongst his peers for his ability to chop his enemys skulls down to the teeth. As with body armor, great efforts were made with the designs of helmets. Odds are, youve got a character who dresses to stay alive. Maybe their goal is to entice a mate. Love this topic!! Details about fit, cut, and material go a long way when describing the clothing of a character who longs to attract. Stockings, long gloves, scarves or separate layers of clothing make a huge difference. See more ideas about fantasy clothing, anime outfits, character outfits. From time to time we may use affiliate links to help with the costs of running the site. It makes for a more entertaining read. Examples of the prior are Star Trek, 2001: A Space Odyssey and to some degree Star Wars and Tron. This may seem like a tricky thing to do as there's so much out there already, but it can often be as simple as simply changing a texture, the patterns used or the amount of fabric. 50+ Fashion Terms: Fundamental Words Related to Style I'll allow my fangirl side to shine for a second and use the Legend of Korra as an example of how mixing styles can work amazingly well. And when Mother Nature gets involved, even the best suit of armor can have problems. Each lesson breaks down the analysis of one component of a fashion collection, progressing from a consideration of the designer's technique and influences to the . 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. In other words take what exists and apply it differently. Yet Dr. Urbinos status as a respected doctor is earned he has nothing to prove by dressing smarter. Baggy jeans. In pre-thermometer times this was difficult as you can imagine, so instead, armorers observed the colour of the heated steel. Were trying to avoid, Isabell gazed out the window, and by the way, she was wearing a white terry cloth robe.. 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. Does your character need to hide? You can quickly convey a number of things about your characters based on the clothing they wear. Lots of gear would have been looted. The important thing to remember is to remain in the character's point of view. Affordable . So why not join the gang? Using this site means trees will be planted. Not really. 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. Only when youre keeping secrets in fiction, you can make them even darker and deeper than any you might ever have in real life. Will using real-world cultural vocabulary in a fantasy setting Sci-fi and fantasy don't necessarily have to be futuristic and historic respectively, but they're commonly associated as such, so for the sake of simplicity that's what I'm going with for the purposes of this guide. It may be apocryphal, but Harold Godwinson is said to have done just that at the battle of Hastings in 1066. They should be doing that. 70s-inspired. At the end of the day, they were professional slayers, swords for hire. To discover more awesome ideas, head over to Pinterest and just search for female fantasy armor. The time period of your story. Do they need a ghillie suit to blend into the natural environment? Scarves as we know them today weren't really a thing in the middle ages (they were way different) and hoods pretty much came in the form of chaperons and liripipes (Google for reference if needed), not as part of a piece of clothing. So its unsurprising to see soldiers wielding swords and axes and shooting bows. Sweaters or jumpers? The details create an authentic sense of a prominentcardinals dressin the 1500s. Pfoo, the owl! An owl, a real owl! Most picture the knight when we talk about plated armorrigid tin men that can withstand all manner of blows. Ideas are forever being shared and discussed. And what does she put that cap on for? How were women treated in the Middle Ages? On the other hand you may wish to add layers for the same purpose. - Taboos and nudity. Another important function of clothing description in stories is to create an authentic sense of time and place. Pauldrons, gauntlets, and even leg armor were fashioned into elaborate designs. If you want futuristic fantasy simply follow the sci-fi/futuristic tips more or mix and match both sides. But it makes a good story. Character description may change over the course of a story to emphasize a characters arc. Look how she sits with her mouth open! 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.