The last minute change suggests an indecisive nature. And if you were skilled at surviving and killing, it was a good way to make a living. As well see below, medieval armor developed through necessitypeople needed to protect themselves from those wicked blades and needle-sharp darts. The tragedy of Azincourt, for example, occurred because of a poorly-chosen battleground that had flooded. The changes and improvements made by technology will often create new trends or alter old ones to the point you may as well consider them a new one, so depending on the technology available in your fictional universe you may wish to create a completely new trend. Or it could be that they want to be charmed by their own image when they look in the mirror. Fashionably elegant and sophisticated. Beyond medieval Europe, you have the Far East, the Romans, Viking Before you know it youll have designed a full set of fantasy roman or viking armor. Give your wealthy character a pair of Louboutins and dress your non-wealthy characters in hand-me-downs. And above all, people share their writing, get feedback, build friendships and develop greater confidence not just in their writing, but in themselves too. 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. "A dress" (or using "the" to refer to a particular "garment") means an item of clothing that is normally worn by women. For example, a meticulously dressed character who is discovered in a disheveled and poorly dressed state. Any suggestions on how to properly do this? Ready to sketch vivid characters for your novel? Good for the mobile knight. In battle, you are trying to strike a moving target, so mail was sufficient as most blows were glancing ones. There is simply more characterization, not only of Gem but the other characters, too. Mail was lightweight and flexible. No problem! Or one who was forever wearing poorly-fitted clothing that appeared to be handed down from friends? Community . I'll make a separate point for sci-fi/futuristic clothing and fantasy/historic clothing. The train hums and throbs in place as people rush to pile in.. Given that I am writing alone in my apartment, you might rightfully conclude that my goal is to be comfortable. This includes things like a pilots uniform, a tiara, or a Pink Ladies jacket. Heres a cool video on making leather fantasy armor by YouTuber, Prince Armory. If Im wearing lipstick with no plans of going out, one of two things is happening: Im in a great mood or Im feeling like I have zero control over my life and failure is inevitable. Chausses / Chauces (15th century) Pantaloons; padded hosen for the legs, often worn under chainmail or plate armor. 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. That said, once you describe how a person dresses you shouldn't really keep doing it unless it is relevant to the plot. (Cough-cough-cough.) An anxious college student buys a flower crown in the hopes of feeling young and free at Coachella. If youre good at talking clothes, you can sit this one out. Helmets were arguably the most distinctive feature of an armored knight. What I would like to ask is how you would go about describing very specific details on more complex clothing? 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. One does not refer to "a garb". But they could also dress in modest, inexpensive-looking clothes. Sneak around? And ninety-nine percent of the clothing descriptions in your first draft are just jeans. I get it. Great points. For example, think about a wealthy person and how that person might dress. Nov 1, 2019 - Explore Arisa Nightingale's board "Male Fantasy Outfit Concepts & Designs", followed by 456 people on Pinterest. Your email address will not be published. In battle, you are trying to strike a moving target, so mail was sufficient as most blows were glancing ones. Either way, their goal is to be desirable, whatever desirable means in this situation. Black and white usually does the trick as well. Well also take a look at female fantasy armor and those used by knights, potential designs, and ways to help you find inspiration for creating your own. 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. Not to pile on, but dont forget to make sure you know which materials wereand werentavailable in the world of your novel. Technology goes beyond simply what kind of clothes could be made though, it also relates to how technology is incorporated into style in general. If you arent keeping at least a few secrets from your friends and loved ones, are you really living? How were women treated in the Middle Ages? 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. 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. They give you the chance to offer comic relief, a dash of wisdom, and just some good old fashioned friendship., Sidekick characters. But thats the case wherever you go. 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. - Change lengths. Now on the other end of the spectrum we have fantasy clothing and more history based clothing. I love the way clothes can describe a character. (Where do they buy their clothes? These images all go a lot further than white socks, green dress, and most of them dont require a lot of extra words. Clothing tells your reader a lot about your characters goals and motivations within a given scenario. The senses were deadened: sight limited, sound muffled, breathing stifled (depending on the type of helmet). Make sure you know whats hot and whats not in your specific setting, as well as what specific words the locals would use. Now, if you write historical fiction, its important to research the clothing of your chosen era. Why this arguably works better is the details of getting dressed tell us multiple details about Gem. It may be apocryphal, but Harold Godwinson is said to have done just that at the battle of Hastings in 1066. Clothes that are suitable for everyday wear rather than formal occasions. My story feels like its set more in medieval times, but I don't want my characters running around in full out tunics and. You dont need it to sign up. The fact the clothes seem to stand by themselves indicates just how heavy they are with jewels and embroidery. Do all your characters embrace it? Pfoo, the owl! This is often enough to make something look more futuristic, especially if used on something that looks glossy, shiny and/or smooth. Also, don't feel like you have to include every point I've made. Smart: Neat and tidy clothes but not necessarily formal. Copyright 2023 Richie Billing | Fantasy Writer. Youre already obsessing over hat styles and what the undergarment situation was at the time of your story. Advertisements. In writing, the clothes kind of do make the (hu)man. 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. That cloth ribbon tied around their waist? One way is to avoid what we call filter words. Here, for example, Hilary Mantel describes a Cardinals residence being plundered by the Kings men in 1529 England, in her historical novel Wolf Hall. (Would people living in this area have access to leather goods? One character might demonstrate their power by showing up to prom in a designer gown. He is old but stylish. Once blue, it is quenched a second time, permanently fixing its hardness. Were trying to avoid, Isabell gazed out the window, and by the way, she was wearing a white terry cloth robe.. That's why it's valuable to learn these terms. This is further influenced/confirmed by the show Forged in Fire where the judges were a half step from putting their heads in their hands when a smith put his hot blade in water instead of oil to cool it down. 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. 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. Similarly, find out (or, if youre creating a fantasy world, create) the garments your characters would wear in a particular time and place. Arrows will bounce off steel crafted in such a wayunless from close range, as we discussed, We mentioned gambesons above. 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? 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. What matters more to them: fashion or function? Pingback: A fantasy writers guide to weaponry Richie Billing. Note that with the camouflage patterns it's best to use this style, but make them less randomized to avoid the military look, unless that's what you're going for of course. Those outfits can become iconic. Like Borges would say, Stiff with embroidery, strewn with pearls, encrusted with gemstones, they seem to stand by themselves. 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 . One specific form of descriptive writing that particularly affects setting and characterization is the portrayal of characters' clothing. 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. If all else fails use Google images and find some visual aids and inspiration sources, they can work wonders. Heating to the perfect temperature was key. 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. Not really. But I find looking back in time to the likes of the medieval period can provide some wonderful and unique ideas. If your protagonist is donning a tri-cornered hat, loosening a corset, or strutting through town in a new toga, your reader has a good sense of time period. The unsung hero of so many stories. Dont worry, thats not a trick question. But it can also be fun to play with the confidence and ease that comes with wealth. I once wrote about imbuing everyday objects with meaning because talisman create great opportunities for symbolism! From time to time we may use affiliate links to help with the costs of running the site. 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. Or is it really important for a reader to know the specific pattern? By rejecting non-essential cookies, Reddit may still use certain cookies to ensure the proper functionality of our platform. So its unsurprising to see soldiers wielding swords and axes and shooting bows. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. A jacket or coat of mail was usually worn with a hood, or coif, of the same material to protect the head and neck. 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 decorative belt? It can genuinely be tough to come up with cool ideas for epic fantasy armor without drifting back to things that weve seen in the likes of Dungeons and Dragons, The Elder Scrolls and movies like Lord of the Rings. 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. I dont mean camisoles and cardigans. You could introduce magical enchantments or ability-granting traits. Thanks Liv, Im glad you found this helpful. - 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. 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. Nylon and polyester fabrics weren't invented until almost the mid 20th century for example. Chest plates had grand etchings. Armor, therefore, wasnt that heavya full suit weighed approximately 50 pounds, which is around 3 to 4 stone. 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. Some helmets had chain attached which hung around and protected the neck, called an aventail, and most were padded inside, for added comfort. On occasion, Abi pretends to be a poet. Fashionable: Clothes representing a current style in fashion. Lets delve further into these ideas about describing characters dress: Think of your characters clothing like an actors costume in a play. 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. Impoverished with children to care for, she uses her last money to give her husband a dignified funeral. 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. Arrows will bounce off steel crafted in such a wayunless from close range, as we discussed last week. It's something we have today as well, but they're oddly uncommon and work great for more futuristic looks. The more people that join this thriving group the better it becomes. By using fur for decoration you quickly create fictional pieces in no time. Added on top of that the condition that they had to supply him with soldiers too. ). Get it right, and you transport your readers to a vivid world. Join Kickstart your Novel and get professional feedback on your first three chapters and story synopsis, plus workbooks and videos. These aren't the only elements either, pretty much every part of clothing changes with the times and depend heavily upon what's fashionable at the time. 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. Follow edited Jun 17, 2020 at 9:43. It illustrates brilliantly the differences between fantasy armor and the boring armor of reality, in this case, Gothic armor. Dostoyevsky describes how Katerinas landlady, Amalia Ivanovna, dresses for the funeral: the table was properly laid at the time and fixed, and Amalia Ivanovna, feeling she had done her work well, had put on a black silk dress and a cap with new mourning ribbons and met the returning party with some pride. Make it look very clean and smooth and it immediately feels more modern. Heres a great visual guide on female fantasy armor by YouTuber Shadiversity. - Taboos and nudity. Help your readers feel the relaxed, organic cotton or the memory foam slipper, and theyll feel your characters priorities deep in their own souls. Game of Thrones/A Song Of Ice And Fire is one series that wonderfully explores fantasy armor and weapons. 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. Sure, it helps your reader to know how you picture a character. Would the fashion designers in your fantasy novel make use of dragon scales? Another type of cheap armor, one up from gambesons, was boiled leather, also known as cuir bouilli. I love to wear baggy trousers in summer. document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); 'There is a blog for every aspect of the writing journey.' Stockings, long gloves, scarves or separate layers of clothing make a huge difference. Play with the question of presentation and power! If you stopped to think about it, you may even notice yourself imagining things as specific as age, hobbies, and ambitions. In a book, none of that is true. Clothes that are loose and hanging in folds. I like the way you wrote this information. But for writers like me who get stuck in the white socks, green dress rut, heres a quick reminder: Details about fabric, fit, quality, and color are super effective when it comes to creating a sense of character, place, or moment. I didnt even know how to begin describing this piece of clothing. We therefore see in the fantasy genre characters equipped with grand helmets and beautiful pieces of plate armor. (Huh.). Its because concrete details are incredibly effective in communicating abstract concepts. We even have the technology to create clothing without seems. Plain: Ordinary clothes of one color like gray, beige, or black. Its not an aspect of character design that bubbles up naturally from the depths of my creative soul. The fact Gem goes with jeans and a tee could suggest that she trusts her aunts advice. Your email address will not be published. Consider this example from Hard Times. In visual mediums like TV or comics, cool outfits are on-screen the whole time, and they're the first and most obvious impression you'll get of the character, so they have a big impact on how the character is perceived. 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. One easy way of creating a more customized look is to simply use cultural elements in the standard clothing. It gives you an idea of the capabilities that armor can have. Another similar and perhaps way more popular example of this is Steampunk. I mentioned my online writing group at the beginning of this guide. Most clothing throughout history consisted of longer pieces of fabric and with minimal tailoring and cuts. or the world theyre desperately resisting. They should be doing that. Pingback: A fantasy writers guide to Castles and Keeps: part one Richie Billing. 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. 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. show how hard is to escape in a narrow street. Our wardrobes are influenced by our age, geography, culture, hobbies, and a million other aspects of our worlds. - Diagonal lines: Diagonal lines aren't all that common in historic clothing and they usually only came in the form of neck lines, the edges of unbuttoned jackets or from large pieces of fabric being held up (think ancient Rome). The clothing itself can be just standard medieval gear, but with these elements they immediately look (wood) elvish. Clothing reflects the resources available in a specific time and place. 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. Because like all other character details, its not enough to paint a picture. 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. It took leaving the Midwest to recognize it. 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. Of course there are more ways to alter historic designs and the middle ages aren't the only period to draw inspiration from. Ive always wondered that too! 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. How does their attire reflect what they want, what they fear, or where theyre going? The surrounding culture dictates what they cant wear if they want to be seen as free-thinking individuals. So here are some more ways to alter a design while sticking with familiarity and a more historic feel: A common (wood) elvish theme is to have lots of green tints, flowery elements and intricate embroidery. Just click the button below to find out more. Jeans and a tee it was. Think the previously mentioned Fifth Element and Hunger Games clothing versus Star Trek, Star Wars and so on clothing. For a bigger image, just click on the link above. Characters Wear More Than Just Clothes. The complete opposite is true for fantasy and historic clothing. Theyll see it automatically. Youre working essential details into the narrative at the moment when they are most relevant. Vision in such helmets was extremely limited, but this was the cost of added protection. Otherwise they wont take you seriously as an artist.. The answer can guide you towards certain fashion trends to inspire your characters wardrobe.
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