Dressing Your Characters
AKA Chainmail, leather, or guaze
Did someone else dress you this morning? The answer is probably “No”. Therefore, you chose to wear what you are wearing, from your underwear to your outerwear to your jewelry, or lack there of. Think about that for a moment.
Now think about this …
As an author, you are the one who dresses your characters, however you must make it seem as though they dressed themselves.
brillig!This means whatever your character is wearing, from their underwear to their outerwear to their jewelry and weapons, or lack there of, is intentional. You specifically wrote that he pulled on his black canvas duster and she grabbed a wooden stake out of her oversized Coach clutch.
In the character’s mind, however, they clothed and accessorized themselves that way because they wanted to, or needed to. Just like real people do.
Dragon fighting can be accomplished in armor or an hourglass corset. It’s up to you as the author to incorporate whatever your characters wear as part of their character. Keep it consistent with how they see themselves and how they feel. Change it up when they change their view of their place in the world or what they have to accomplish.
The student takes up the master’s sword, the bride wears her mother-in-law’s wedding dress, the teenager buys a new shirt for the big date.
Clothing affects the way we see and judge other people, both strangers and friends. It is an overwhelming part of that critical first impression.
So, how did your characters dress themselves this morning?
Malcolm Reynolds: Well, yeah, last night I was. Had some mulled wine, pretty girl gave me a hat made out of a tree. Nobody said I was signing up to have and to hold.
- Firefly, “Our Mrs. Reynolds”
Jul 23, 2009
Categories: writing
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