Fashion advice needed

[PennLady]

Hi.

Is there anyone out there with a knowledge of fashion and clothing? I'm writing something involving a model and I don't know much about describing clothes. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
PennLady

 

[YoursSINSerely]

Hi.

Is there anyone out there with a knowledge of fashion and clothing? I'm writing something involving a model and I don't know much about describing clothes. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Thanks,
PennLady

What do you want to know?

 

[Verdad]

I guess it's the same as with any other specialized lingo—pick up a few fashion mags or google up a few fashion sites and see how they talk. Or, if it's just a few words you need, ask concretely. Someone should know.

 

[oggbashan]

A good source is a clothing catalogue.

They describe the most mundane attire in glowing terms:

"A strappy sundress with a hint of exquisite lace detail at the bustline..."

You would ignore that dress on a hanger in a Goodwill shop.

Og

 

[PennLady]

Thanks

Hi.

I tried to say thanks before and then my daughter closed my browser. Sigh.

Thanks for all the replies, everyone. Og, those are good ideas, and I will have to look at some online catalogues. I simply have no idea about the different types of waistlines, cuts, etc. I don't need to become an expert, but I do want to get it right.

Thanks again,
PennLady

 

[Noor]

http://www.fashion-era.com/

 

[lesbiaphrodite]

Read what someone passionate about fashion has to say. For example, Coco Chanel or Karl Lagerfield or Tom Ford.

 

[3113]

Fashion Reviews

Is there anyone out there with a knowledge of fashion and clothing? I'm writing something involving a model and I don't know much about describing clothes. Any help/advice would be appreciated.

Go to the latest reviews of the latest runway fashions. Like this one. Reviewers of fashion will give you a very clear idea of how to describe modern clothing, from high end couture to every day ready-to-wear. Doing just that is their job, after all

An example from one review: "A couple of wrapped, draped chiffon dresses (one done in brick red in memory of Valentino tradition) and a jacket with black patches jigsawed onto a base of near-invisible flesh-colored georgette were youthful in the way this label needs to be if it's going to attract new clients."

Keep in mind that if the p.o.v of your story is that of the model, then she realistically may not know such details herself; what's important to a model is that the dress is a Valentino, not that it has an empire waistline. In modeling the name of the designer ranks higher than technical name for a high waistline. Designers and reviewers are the ones who have to know that it's an empire waist. Models just wear the things--yours may know such terms from being interested in clothes and immersed in the fashion world, but she doesn't have to know such terms to do what she does. So you can get away with less detailed and precise descriptions of the clothes with a model, then if your protagonist was a reviewer or designer.

 

[PennLady]

Thanks to everyone for the links and advice. I will check them out. 3113 -- the scene is from the model's POV, but as it's 3d person narration, I think a description should be provided to the reader, and I wanted to say something more than "long blue dress." I am about clothes the way some people are about cars. One will tell you it's a Mazda 626 with x-horsepower and anti-lock brakes and etc., etc. Someone else will say it's a red sports car.

Thanks,
PL