Do clothes make the man? Or woman? In a new post, Ruth Harris recommends clothing and accessories as a way to show your characters’ personalities.
“The nip slip and wardrobe malfunction make good fodder for the gossip sites, but, for writers, wardrobes — clothes and accessories — are a powerful tool in the arsenal,” Harris writes. Clothing and accessories convey status and set a mood, vital hints about character that you don’t have to spell out. Is your character’s clothing big and loud? Plain and pastel or shades of tan? Is their clothing homemade or second-hand? Is their outfit inappropriate?
Clothing also can help you define time and place, as well as character. Capri pants, skinny ties, shoulder pads, and zoot suits all had their time and place. Of course, looks can also deceive. Who thought the girl in the cheerleader outfit could slay vampires? Google Sharon Stone’s little black dress…that she bought at the GAP.
When you consider clothing for your characters, don’t forget accessories and underwear. Does your man wear boxers, briefs, or a thong, or does he go commando? There’s no need to overdo the description on what your character wears, but a few small details can provide a lot of information.
