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Topic : Re: Is it important to describe how the characters are dressed? One thing that I never mention in my stories is how the characters are dressed. Well, except when they are being described for the - selfpublishingguru.com

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In my experience, lack of description leads to a boring story, while over-describing gets nauseous very quickly. (In regards to character clothing)

So I developed a personal style that I think you might want to consider using. That is:

General Description

Detail Description

Gradual Description

For example, let's say Mr. John was wearing a black shirt, brown jeans, a blue coat and a cowboy hat. (That would be the general description that comes first) this description doesn't change (Or at least, it shouldn't) and should be given the moment the character is introduced.

Then, depending on how your plot moves, a detail description can be given. An important note should be made that this detail description should not be about his clothes (That is to say: NOT about anything previously described) it should instead be something like: Mr. Jack noticed that Mr. John had a strange looking antique wristwatch or a tattoo of a puppy or some other accessory.

At last, we go on to the gradual description. That is in regards to his clothes. For example, Mr. Jack said, "That's an ugly coat you gots on yar'self John, why haven't you been wearing dat worn thin' since last year?" to which John replied, "It may have a fews holes, but it's still a good coat.".

In so doing you would have managed to say that John is wearing a worn blue coat that has holes and that he has been wearing for a few years, though John still thinks it is a good coat.

My point is if you cover the most important descriptions first and add a few more details later, the later ones help define your characters clothes better. I think that suits my style since I like my characters to have fairly well-described clothes.


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