Describing Clothing

    Clothes can really be cool and useful in novels. They develop character description, setting portrayal, and even plot. Plus, both writing and reading the descriptions is fun!
    But haven't you ever found yourself describing characters' clothes in the same way? Articles of clothing, color, jewelry/tool. It's not a bad way to describe, but it might be better to have a wider variety of descriptions for various different outfits.
    So here are a few basic methods of describing clothing. Having a list to pick from and make different combinations with can be nice for experimenting.


The sky and the ocean are both blue,
but they have different shades of blue.


    Color. The world has a grand variety of colors. And each of those colors has its own array of shades and tones. When using a color to describe something, there are two ways to do it: by stating the basic color, or characterizing it by something of the same color. For example, you could write something like, "The jacket she had on was green," or you could write something like, "Her jacket was a dark foliage color." Coming up with a comparison helps picture an exact color, but it's also cool to just use a "basic" color and allow the reader to choose their own imagination.
    Texture. This isn't always easy to describe unless the character and/or the story is very involved with textile work, but describing what is seen and felt and even heard can give clues as to what makes up the uniform. Something soft, shimmery, and flowing can easily be silk, while something that resembles a sack of potatoes might be made of burlap. 

It's easy to imagine how knitted material feels.
Warm, sometimes starchy, and thick.

    Size and shape. This further develops character description. If their clothes fit them right, it shows their figure. Is the person tall, short, skinny, stocky? The suit can show it. Clothing can also show what a character does not look like. For example, a huge sweater would sag from the arms and  shoulders of someone who isn't very big. And when someone who isn't small is wearing small shoes, they would feel like the bloodflow to their toes is being cut off!
    Condition. Life affects clothing. A favorite jacket is going to be a little faded, with one or two stains, and maybe worn out or patched up at the elbows. Something brand new, on the other hand, is going to be brightly colored, stainless, and might still have a sort of department store smell. The form of wear and tear that clothes have can also depend on what the wearers do. A painter's jeans and tops would probably have some paint splatters on them, and a hiker would definitely have some grass and dust stains on their shoes and pants.
    The hem of the clothing. Usually this just serves creativity in imagining the characters. Does the hem of their dress or a cardigan flow? Is it bordered by a different color? It is made up of lace, or of stringy beads?
    The sleeves. More creative fun! Are the sleeves long and baggy? Short and puffy? Is the material tight enough around the arms for flexing muscles to be noticed?
    The collar. This can say something about the weather and culture of a society. Furry collars are good for cold terrains, and V-necks appropriate for summertime. Dresses with a long, stiff collar can be found in a past time period, and a collar made up of multicolored feathers can speak of an acquired taste.
    Buttons. Buttons can be very important--or, at least, interesting. The buttons of uniforms would probably be made of something sturdier and more metallic than plastic, while thin coin-like buttons are best for elegant things like cardigans. Big, chunky, colorful buttons can be stylish, and wooden buttons give off a sort of earthy feeling.
    Embellishments. Not lies, but decorative additions like embroidery, baubles, glitter, or even spray-paint. Sparkles are a popular trend for young girls' clothing, and baubles can be often found in knitted products. Some people spray-paint logos on plain T-shirts to advertise, or just because the silhouette is cool.
    So there are my thoughts. :) Do you like to write descriptions of clothing? Do you know a novel that does it really well?