Fantasy story, what do you call stuff?

[NuclearFairy]

So, when writing in a fantasy setting, that is at least pseudo medieval at which point do you try to use old terms for things, like a breast band instead of a sports bra, and at which point do you use a term that feels more authentic, verses one that was more authentic, like towel vs drying cloth?

Or are you the type to just say, "Fuck it! It's fantasy in an alternate reality, I call em what I want."

 

[ChuckWolf]

So far that's not been an issue for me in the faux-medieval story settings.

Closest anachronism I've come to was deciding whether or not to refer to the evil witch's latex catsuit as latex; instead I went with "a shiny and skin-tight leather-material".

And strap-ons would be composed of either polished wood, ivory or some magical energy.

 

[Britva415]

Things should be called things with no vowels, several apostrophes and mid-word capitalization in fantasy stories.

At least, you’d think so

 

[Jmanchu]

Depends on how far you wanna go back, and how much fantasy you go.

If it's supposed to be medieval historical setting that's well thought out, and you've got some very intricate setting with a place that's based very closely around, say, Germany, England, or Italy... and you've really, really studied up on your history to make that sort of feel, you'd probably want to stick to whatever they wore. Namely breast bands and gowns. Also, "bikini-like" tops were a thing for certain place, since a very long time, since Ancient Greece, etc.

But, usually women of those times, if I recall based on my research(fantasy writer aspirer here, so same boat as you), also wore undergarments like chemises (I mean the medieval smock-like dresses worn under, or as a nightgown, not like whatever modern chemises are... unless I'm wrong?), and similar.

BUT!!

If it's fantasy, pure fantasy, or just "welcome, adventurer! Take a load off in this inn with my lovely bar wench daughter" kind of fantasy, or completely invented, then it doesn't matter.

*Most people aren't that picky about their fantasy,* unless you go so overboard that you have every little detail to try to feel like authentic and realistic everything of those times, then things that are inaccurate might stick out.

Fantasy, it's magic and wizards, warriors and rangers, olden human times, adventure, elves and whatnot, or whatever you want it to be. That's all most people care when they want their fantasy fix. You can go with bikinis and breast bands, and push it with bodices and corsets too even if they're a bit past Middle Ages. Sports bra is reeeaaally pushing it though.

TLDR: Nobody really cares, just as long as you give em sexy, fun fantasy shenanigans.