Help dressing a character.

[lovecraft68]

So I need some help here from either you ladies or if there are any guys out here who are flashy dressers. In my writing I try to always stay with things I know. My story is set in RI so I never have issues with places, streets, restaurants or anything like that. I lean towards BDSM sex as it was my lifestyle for quite some time. So in general I try not to walk into areas I know shit about.

I am stuck here however. I need to "dress" my character for a particular scene. Thing is I am a stereotype in that i dress almost entirely in black or grey and am the type of guy who owns one suit (one I was married in of course) and a couple of ties that always stay in the knot because I can't tie the fucking thing.

Now my main character on the other hand is a flashy dresser and I need an ensemble. For details the character an attorney. (as well as a deliberately exaggerated alpha male type) has short black hair, hazel eyes, and an olive skin tone. He is a pure narcissist and would dress with a hell of a lot more style than anyone I know. I am thinking along the lines of a type of color scheme that certain guys wouldn't try to pull off.

Shirt tie slacks is the description I need. Normally my other half "dresses" a couple of my female characters but she is of no help with this (or waiting to see how crappy I am at it)

Soooo anyone out there want to give me some ensemble's?

 

[Handley_Page]

I suggest you consult some of the pages of the "style" magazines, often to be found (round here, anyway) with the Saturday edition of the daily newspaper.
Just a thought, you understand.

 

[lovecraft68]

I suggest you consult some of the pages of the "style" magazines, often to be found (round here, anyway) with the Saturday edition of the daily newspaper.
Just a thought, you understand.

I suppose I could hit borders and look through GQ as well but was trying to bang through this tonight. I actually just left his description blank and am going forward with the rest of the chapter.

Plus it's more fun sometimes to see what people think rather consult the all knowing google.

For the record I googled sharp dressed man but ZZ top came up and those guys weren't to flashy.

 

[3113]

The question is where is your character? If he's a attorney, and he has been to the office or at court, and then gone out to dinner, then, yes, he'd be in a suit and tie. The difference would be in what kind of suit and tie. An attorney needs to dim down the "flash" (i.e., no pink shirts in court or in the office), but can show off his style and money in the kind of suit (check out this article on expensive suits and these images), shirt, tie, tiepin, etc. that he's wearing. Expensive tailoring, polished and expensive shoes, heavy, gold-link bracelet. He can certainly go for current fashion styles which are very 60's retro (thin ties, waistcoats, short jackets, slim trousers), but he'd still be wearing a suit and tie.

However, if your attorney is on vacation, or hosting a party at his penthouse apartment, that's a whole different thing. Where does this scene take place and where was your attorney before he got to this place? Oh, and how much does he make? What is his clothes budget?

 

[lovecraft68]

The question is where is your character? If he's a attorney, and he has been to the office or at court, and then gone out to dinner, then, yes, he'd be in a suit and tie. The difference would be in what kind of suit and tie. An attorney needs to dim down the "flash" (i.e., no pink shirts in court or in the office), but can show off his style and money in the kind of suit (check out this article on expensive suits and these images), shirt, tie, tiepin, etc. that he's wearing. Expensive tailoring, polished and expensive shoes, heavy, gold-link bracelet. He can certainly go for current fashion styles which are very 60's retro (thin ties, waistcoats, short jackets, slim trousers), but he'd still be wearing a suit and tie.

However, if your attorney is on vacation, or hosting a party at his penthouse apartment, that's a whole different thing. Where does this scene take place and where was your attorney before he got to this place? Oh, and how much does he make? What is his clothes budget?

He is at his office where he is pretty much saying good bye to his clients as the plot line is he is planning on moving to live with his sister in Chicago(long story). So although at his office he is "entertaining" sharing a couple of drinks with them as they come and go.

The clients know him as a lady killer and player. He dresses flashy for the women (especially the trophy wives) but also for effect to impress the "boys club" who are the type to live through his exploits.

He is late thirties and well above six figures a year.

I will check out your links. Thank you.

 

[3113]

Professional in the office; but out of the office....

He is at his office where he is pretty much saying good bye to his clients as the plot line is he is planning on moving to live with his sister in Chicago(long story). So although at his office he is "entertaining" sharing a couple of drinks with them as they come and go. The clients know him as a lady killer and player. He dresses flashy for the women (especially the trophy wives) but also for effect to impress the "boys club" who are the type to live through his exploits.

Um, no. Clients do not know him as a lady killer; no one goes to an attorney to "live" though his exploits. One goes to an attorney when one is in trouble, and afraid, and needs professional help. And the last thing a high priced client wants at such a moment, when his/her whole fortune or life might crumbling beneath his feet, is an attorney flirting with his trophy wife, or telling stories of his exploits with women.

Clients are not friends; no attorney takes them out drinking or to boy's clubs. He can be sexy-handsome, he can be a polished and expensive dresser, that's all fine and good in court for influencing judges and juries; but like a politician he has to radiate professionalism and trustworthiness to his clients, not that he's going to steal someone's wife or end up on the news: "The lawyer for Mr. Bigwig, on trial for embezzling, was arrested today in a sting of high-priced hookers..." Clients who can afford him will consider that. He speaks for them, so he has to at least seem above reproach.

It would, in short, be a professional mistake for him to show his clients his "lady killer" side. His partners at the office, on the other hand, the secretaries and clerks fellow attorneys, those working for the courts and such, they know him as a lady killer. To them, his exploits would be legend. And if they're the ones having a farewell party for him, well, then he could be as casual and as much himself as he likes.

Like an actor on stage a good attorney never breaks character until the curtain closes. Which means, if he's dealing with clients, then he'd be wearing a suit and tie, and still be radiating this image of being a sympathetic, knowledgable, professional, almost mythic attorney who can save even the worst white-collar criminal from going to jail. That is what his high priced clients would want and he'd maintain that illusion as they're not only likely to recommend him to others, but fly to Chicago to meet with him if they get in trouble again. He would play the part of magic attorney to his very last minute in the office.

Once he's out of the office, the tie can come off and he can be his real, shark-like self.

 

[lovecraft68]

Um, no. Clients do not know him as a lady killer; no one goes to an attorney to "live" though his exploits. One goes to an attorney when one is in trouble, and afraid, and needs professional help. And the last thing a high priced client wants at such a moment, when his/her whole fortune or life might crumbling beneath his feet, is an attorney flirting with his trophy wife, or telling stories of his exploits with women.

Clients are not friends; no attorney takes them out drinking or to boy's clubs. He can be sexy-handsome, he can be a polished and expensive dresser, that's all fine and good in court for influencing judges and juries; but like a politician he has to radiate professionalism and trustworthiness to his clients, not that he's going to steal someone's wife or end up on the news: "The lawyer for Mr. Bigwig, on trial for embezzling, was arrested today in a sting of high-priced hookers..." Clients who can afford him will consider that. He speaks for them, so he has to at least seem above reproach.

It would, in short, be a professional mistake for him to show his clients his "lady killer" side. His partners at the office, on the other hand, the secretaries and clerks fellow attorneys, those working for the courts and such, they know him as a lady killer. To them, his exploits would be legend. And if they're the ones having a farewell party for him, well, then he could be as casual and as much himself as he likes.

Like an actor on stage a good attorney never breaks character until the curtain closes. Which means, if he's dealing with clients, then he'd be wearing a suit and tie, and still be radiating this image of being a sympathetic, knowledgable, professional, almost mythic attorney who can save even the worst white-collar criminal from going to jail. That is what his high priced clients would want and he'd maintain that illusion as they're not only likely to recommend him to others, but fly to Chicago to meet with him if they get in trouble again. He would play the part of magic attorney to his very last minute in the office.

Once he's out of the office, the tie can come off and he can be his real, shark-like self.

First off all your points are accurate and valid. If we were talking a true to life crime drama or "factual" work of fiction.

This a corporate attorney who has also worked for the state as a private prosecutor. (Legal in the state of RI under certain criteria.) This is a work of fiction and the character does have a womanizing persona. he has never married and is the type to be seen with women half his age on his arm. he has flirted with and seduced clients wives as well as the type to get the clients laid when necessary. He is saying goodbye which means damn straight he would sit in his corner office and have a drink and talk over old times.

He walks the line but does not cross it. No prostitutes, no under age girls, just a work hard play hard personality. The Prince in the courthouse and the predator in the street.

You are thinking reality. Law and order, I am writing to erotic fiction. Because trust me if you can swallow some of the buffoons in some main stream romance you can handle this guy.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

Do you actually need to describe what he's wearing?

From what you say, it seems like he has no style of his own. So why not avoid obnoxious and potentially erroneous name dropping and take an approach that conveys both his dress and the fact that he's a bit of a poser? Instead of describing him, have him mention:

--seeing the suit on George Clooney in last month's GQ, or in the window at Barney's on his most recent trip to New York, or in a photo from fashion week, or something like that
--how as soon as he'd seen it, he knew he'd look incredible in the suit's trim, retro styling
--how it showed off the physique he crafted in long hours at the gym, how the shade of gray was one of this fall's Pantone colors, etc. You can be very, very light on the details here, and instead focus on his reaction to his suit.

By avoiding details of the actual suit, you can instead focus on his narcissism and arrogance via his clothing (or whatever personality he has). Readers will fill in the style of dress that, to them, reflects your character's personality. I think this is important for a lit story, since readers will probably have diverse ideas of what high earners wear to the office. If you miss the mark according to their ideals (which may or may not be right), they won't find your character believable.

If you absolutely have to include more details or need examples, take a look at the men's sportswear section of Barney's. When I worked in finance, my boss dragged me there all the freakin' time, or worse, sent me there to buy things for him.

 

[PennLady]

He is at his office where he is pretty much saying good bye to his clients as the plot line is he is planning on moving to live with his sister in Chicago(long story). So although at his office he is "entertaining" sharing a couple of drinks with them as they come and go.

The clients know him as a lady killer and player. He dresses flashy for the women (especially the trophy wives) but also for effect to impress the "boys club" who are the type to live through his exploits.

He is late thirties and well above six figures a year.

I will check out your links. Thank you.

I'd probably just name some designer, like Armani or Versace, and let the reader imagine the rest. I don't know from suits either.

 

[lovecraft68]

Do you actually need to describe what he's wearing?

From what you say, it seems like he has no style of his own. So why not avoid obnoxious and potentially erroneous name dropping and take an approach that conveys both his dress and the fact that he's a bit of a poser? Instead of describing him, have him mention:

--seeing the suit on George Clooney in last month's GQ, or in the window at Barney's on his most recent trip to New York, or in a photo from fashion week, or something like that
--how as soon as he'd seen it, he knew he'd look incredible in the suit's trim, retro styling
--how it showed off the physique he crafted in long hours at the gym, how the shade of gray was one of this fall's Pantone colors, etc. You can be very, very light on the details here, and instead focus on his reaction to his suit.

This way, you can avoid details of the actual suit by focusing on his narcissism and arrogance (or whatever it is you are trying to convey). Readers will fill in the style of dress that, to them, reflects your character's personality. I think this is important for a lit story, since readers will probably have diverse ideas of what constituted wealth. If you miss the mark according to their ideals, they won't find your character believable.

If you absolutely have to include more details or need examples, take a look at the men's sportswear section of Barney's. When I worked in finance, my boss dragged me there all the freakin' time, or worse, sent me there to buy things for him.

You make some good points. Actually so far (30 chapters) I have pretty much stayed away from detail or been very simple (burgundy shirt black tie) In this particular scenario I felt detail would work. maybe I should re think that.

Another point that perhaps I should have made is that this is written from his sisters POV not his so she is looking at him and "taking him in"

So you had one of those stereo typed bosses that sent his assistants out to do his shopping for him? Did you ever have to buy his wife birthday cards and presents?

 

[lovecraft68]

I'd probably just name some designer, like Armani or Versace, and let the reader imagine the rest. I don't know from suits either.

I have a hugo boss black suit that supposedly is decent. Bought it ten years ago for my wedding only suit I have and no desire to buy another so I know Jack Shit. I know the name Armani but couldn't pick out anything. I was looking more for the shirt tie combo. Something "flashy" my idea of flashy is light gray on a black shirt.

All I keep coming back to is the line in Show Girls where she says "It's a versase"

 

[PennLady]

You make some good points. Actually so far (30 chapters) I have pretty much stayed away from detail or been very simple (burgundy shirt black tie) In this particular scenario I felt detail would work. maybe I should re think that.

Another point that perhaps I should have made is that this is written from his sisters POV not his so she is looking at him and "taking him in"

So you had one of those stereo typed bosses that sent his assistants out to do his shopping for him? Did you ever have to buy his wife birthday cards and presents?

Does his sister know about designers? If she does, you could mention a name like Versace, Armani, or something else. If she doesn't, keep it to colors or textures -- maybe she sees a slick gray suit, something like that.

I don't think Q was directed at me, but no, I never had a boss like that.

 

[_Lynn_]

I'd probably just name some designer, like Armani or Versace, and let the reader imagine the rest. I don't know from suits either.

I tend to stay away from the names of designers in case there are readers who don't know fashion. I don't want anyone confused over a suit.

 

[lovecraft68]

Does his sister know about designers? If she does, you could mention a name like Versace, Armani, or something else. If she doesn't, keep it to colors or textures -- maybe she sees a slick gray suit, something like that.

I don't think Q was directed at me, but no, I never had a boss like that.

LOL! Unfortunately seeing his "sister" is also me she knows jack shit as well! Sorry that just struck me as funny. BTW the boss remark was directed at LFT she mentioned getting stuck shopping for her boss.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

So you had one of those stereo typed bosses that sent his assistants out to do his shopping for him? Did you ever have to buy his wife birthday cards and presents?

He was actually very nice . . . just indecisive. I remember one instance when he couldn't decide which size of a casual jacket to get. He needed the larger size if he wanted to button it up on cold days, but that size looked too bulky to leave open on warmer days. He went back and forth for a week, trying to decide what to do, and eventually just bought both sizes. Or rather, sent me to buy both.

As for wife . . . he was thirty-five and dating a twenty-two year old. I was twenty-one, so yes, he often consulted me for gift ideas.

I can't complain about him at work, however. On my first day, he sat me down and said, "if you do well, I look good. If I do well, you look good. I'll have your back if you have mine." He never, ever threw me to the portfolio manager wolves, which is more than I can say for any subsequent boss I had at that firm.

I have a hugo boss black suit that supposedly is decent. Bought it ten years ago for my wedding only suit I have and no desire to buy another so I know Jack Shit. I know the name Armani but couldn't pick out anything. I was looking more for the shirt tie combo. Something "flashy" my idea of flashy is light gray on a black shirt.

No black shirt. White, maybe light blue or some other light color, but definitely not a dark color. It's not acceptable in the northeast in corporate-type jobs; these things vary by region, and the northeast is fairly conservative when it comes to dress and/or flashiness, or at least it was when I was still in corporate-world.

 

[lovecraft68]

He was actually very nice . . . just indecisive. I remember one instance when he couldn't decide which size of a casual jacket to get. He needed the larger size if he wanted to button it up on cold days, but that size looked too bulky to leave open on warmer days. He went back and forth for a week, trying to decide what to do, and eventually just bought both sizes. Or rather, sent me to buy both.

As for wife . . . he was thirty-five and dating a twenty-two year old. I was twenty-one, so yes, he often consulted me for gift ideas.

I can't complain about him at work, however. On my first day, he sat me down and said, "if you do well, I look good. If I do well, you look good. I'll have your back if you have mine." He never, ever threw me to the portfolio manager wolves, which is more than I can say for any subsequent boss I had at that firm.



No black shirt. White, maybe light blue or some other light color, but definitely not a dark color. It's not acceptable in the northeast in corporate-type jobs; these things vary by region, and the northeast is fairly conservative when it comes to dress and/or flashiness, or at least it was when I was still in corporate-world.

I'm a warehouse manager jeans and a t-shirt or the ever so classy wife beater in the summer. We had a Christmas party that we had to dress up for three years ago. I lost a bet to the wife and had to wear a purple dress shirt. I am still hearing shit over it.

Sigh. See what happens when you quit school and get stuck in blue collar jobs? 40+ and can't dress myself!

 

[soflabbwlvr]

Let me help you out. Your guy does not wear designer suits. He wears custom tailored suits hand made by a tailor he has used for the last 20 years. The tailor is probably based in NYC, but visits the guy in his office four times per year. He brings a suitcase full of fabric samples, and the guy orders 5 or 6 suits at a time. His shirts are also custom made from 100% Egyptian cotton. They have French cuffs and are monogrammed. He wears designer ties and coordinated pocket squares. He wears gold cuff links, sometimes diamond studded and sometimes other gems. He wears an enormous fold watch, either a Rolex or breitling. His shoes are Italian made . Hope this helps.

 

[lovecraft68]

Let me help you out. Your guy does not wear designer suits. He wears custom tailored suits hand made by a tailor he has used for the last 20 years. The tailor is probably based in NYC, but visits the guy in his office four times per year. He brings a suitcase full of fabric samples, and the guy orders 5 or 6 suits at a time. His shirts are also custom made from 100% Egyptian cotton. They have French cuffs and are monogrammed. He wears designer ties and coordinated pocket squares. He wears gold cuff links, sometimes diamond studded and sometimes other gems. He wears an enormous fold watch, either a Rolex or breitling. His shoes are Italian made . Hope this helps.

Bingo! Sounds good to me. Thanks for the help!

 

[3113]

"It's a work of fiction"? Really? REALLY?

First off all your points are accurate and valid. If we were talking a true to life crime drama or "factual" work of fiction.

Telling me it's a work of fiction is BULLSHIT, lovecraft Or are you saying that you never read/watch any work of fiction where you said, "I can't continue reading/watching this, it's too unbelievable!"????

Just because it's a work of fiction doesn't mean you get to do anything you want to do, otherwise we'd all have "Alice in Wonderland" stories and no one would have written, well, your favorite short stories there that work because Lovecraft was wise enough to make the setting and characters realistic before they meet the fantastic and unbelievable.

That's essentially my point. Your work of fiction is going to be shoving a lot of unbelievable things down the reader's throat, like the lawyer's sexual prowess, that he makes six figures, that this has never gotten him into any trouble with partners, co-workers, secretaries, the folk at the court, etc., etc., etc. If you make the character more "realistic" at the start, you can lure in the reader and make it easier for them to swallow all the fantastic stuff that's really important for them to swallow--like the fact that your attorney will meet the perfect girl who likes exactly the strange, kinky sex he likes, in exactly the way he likes it and does it so brilliantly he has the best orgasm ever...etc.

Bottom line: I will call you on anything you tell me that I don't think is going to work, and you can tell me "thanks, but no thanks." But saying "It's fiction" is a lame excuse, one of the lamest. What your'e really saying when use that excuse is, "You way sounds like work not fun!" Lame.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

Let me help you out. Your guy does not wear designer suits. He wears custom tailored suits hand made by a tailor he has used for the last 20 years. The tailor is probably based in NYC, but visits the guy in his office four times per year. He brings a suitcase full of fabric samples, and the guy orders 5 or 6 suits at a time. His shirts are also custom made from 100% Egyptian cotton. They have French cuffs and are monogrammed. He wears designer ties and coordinated pocket squares. He wears gold cuff links, sometimes diamond studded and sometimes other gems. He wears an enormous fold watch, either a Rolex or breitling. His shoes are Italian made . Hope this helps.

But if the guy is spending $3,000 per suit (which seems conservative to me for a swanky custom suit, seeing as I just randomly found one at Needless Markup, I mean, Neiman Marcus for $4,500), you're talking $60,000 just on the suits! That doesn't count the shoes, the shirts, the ties, etc, which would total tens of thousands more in this scenario.

I'll accept this if we're talking about Jay-Z. But for a lawyer? Working for a company in Rhode Island? He'd have to be making a lot of six figures if his house, car, vacations, food, etc. match his attire. And he'd be totally out of touch with the town around him.

I'm not arguing with the custom made aspect, though I think it's highly unlikely and slightly ridiculous. It's the volume and unnecessary details that get me.

I'm probably at the extreme end when it comes to being annoyed with what I interpret as ridiculous scenarios like this. However, it seems to me that good writers make the impossible seem possible. They make fantasy a reality in a reader's mind. Some part of what a good writer writes--the part that comes into contact with the real world, like what a lawyer would wear to work--has to be grounded in reality. When simple things like this become unbelievable, it reminds a reader that everything is just a fantasy. So why push it? Why go for the most extreme and implausible lawyer possible?


Edit: OK, I think this is pretty much what 3113 said.

 

[soflabbwlvr]

But if the guy is spending $3,000 per suit (which seems conservative to me for a swanky custom suit, seeing as I just randomly found one at Needless Markup, I mean, Neiman Marcus for $4,500), you're talking $60,000 just on the suits! That doesn't count the shoes, the shirts, the ties, etc, which would total tens of thousands more in this scenario.

I'll accept this if we're talking about Jay-Z. But for a lawyer? Working for a company in Rhode Island? He'd have to be making a lot of six figures if his house, car, vacations, food, etc. match his attire. And he'd be totally out of touch with the town around him.

I'm not arguing with the custom made aspect, though I think it's highly unlikely and slightly ridiculous. It's the volume and unnecessary details that get me.

I'm probably at the extreme end when it comes to being annoyed with what I interpret as ridiculous scenarios like this. However, it seems to me that much of what we write is about making the impossible seem possible. It's about making a fantasy a reality in a reader's mind. Some part of what we write--the part that comes into contact with the real world, like what a lawyer would wear to work--has to be grounded in reality. When simple things like this become unbelievable, it reminds a reader that everything is just a fantasy. So why push it? Why go for the most extreme and implausible lawyer possible?


Edit: OK, I think this is pretty much what 3113 said.

I missed the detail of his age. At that stage of his career he is probably buying 3-4 suits at a time, 2-3 times per year. He is selecting mid grade fabrics, rather than the most expensive. Everything else is the same. His watch is less grandiose, and he has fewer cuff links. I have no knowledge of RI; this is the uniform in South Florida. If he buys off the rack, it is most likely Zegna or Cavalli.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

I missed the detail of his age. At that stage of his career he is probably buying 3-4 suits at a time, 2-3 times per year. He is selecting mid grade fabrics, rather than the most expensive. Everything else is the same. His watch is less grandiose, and he has fewer cuff links. I have no knowledge of RI; this is the uniform in South Florida. If he buys off the rack, it is most likely Zegna or Cavalli.

lol, given your username, why didn't I pick up on the location? I'll believe your scenario for Florida.

I actually started a post in this thread about regional variations in norms like this as a good reason to avoid too many details, but I deleted it. Maybe I shouldn't have.

 

[ishtat]

Fashion is about labels, so is style but to a much lesser extent. If he is flashy he might have the money, but doesn't have the class to distinguish between fashion and style. I would dress him in "Italian Designer" suits with imported Italian shoes, and stress the cost.

If he had class he would wear "Church Shoes" obtained whilst on a trip to London, and get his suits made by a Jewish tailor in NY, who is so exclusive he doesn't advertise, and who would not be so common as to put a label in anything... the inference being that the 'cut', always superb, would tell all..

You don't need to describe the clothes at all, but you can infer character by saying, "X always dressed in the most expensive of Italian suits (makers name) but invariably with a tie which matched his ego rather than his tailoring," -- or something like that.

 

[lovecraft68]

But if the guy is spending $3,000 per suit (which seems conservative to me for a swanky custom suit, seeing as I just randomly found one at Needless Markup, I mean, Neiman Marcus for $4,500), you're talking $60,000 just on the suits! That doesn't count the shoes, the shirts, the ties, etc, which would total tens of thousands more in this scenario.

I'll accept this if we're talking about Jay-Z. But for a lawyer? Working for a company in Rhode Island? He'd have to be making a lot of six figures if his house, car, vacations, food, etc. match his attire. And he'd be totally out of touch with the town around him.

I'm not arguing with the custom made aspect, though I think it's highly unlikely and slightly ridiculous. It's the volume and unnecessary details that get me.

I'm probably at the extreme end when it comes to being annoyed with what I interpret as ridiculous scenarios like this. However, it seems to me that good writers make the impossible seem possible. They make fantasy a reality in a reader's mind. Some part of what a good writer writes--the part that comes into contact with the real world, like what a lawyer would wear to work--has to be grounded in reality. When simple things like this become unbelievable, it reminds a reader that everything is just a fantasy. So why push it? Why go for the most extreme and implausible lawyer possible?


Edit: OK, I think this is pretty much what 3113 said.

Now why you gotta dis little Rhody? Think no one has money here? The state doesn't but some of the people who live here do. Not me of course but some people. BTW I am being sarcastic I ws born and raised here and it is a pit and as soon as my youngest daughter is done with school the wife and I are out of here.

To go with what you are agreeing on with 3113 this is a "play" suit and would not be court attire. Fiction is not about complete suspension of reality but if your chartacters or at least one -have no larger than life aspects why would we read? Besides honestly you would get it if you read the series. The guy is a deliberately exaggerated alpha who everyone hates because he has everything on the surface.
The characters mantra is "Every woman wants me every man wants to be me"

Total bullshit of course and cracks me up because I am as far from that type as possible. However he is totally Broken underneath in a variety of ways and the over the top mode of dress, partying, and personality are to compensate. As for the readers not believeing the character or rolling their eyes thinking this is too much? This is erotica and "Mark Phillips" was nominated for sexiest male in Lit's 12th annual awards. You can go look if they ever start the voting.


Then again in the chpater he was nominated for he wasn't wearing a suit but was naked on an altar with three women during a sex ritual. Hmmm maybe I don;t need to worry about clothing at all.

I do get your point about the dollar amount of the suits. In my mind he would maybe only have two or three like that not be buying a dozen a year. Also there is more involved in the series, including the fact he is part of a "secret" group" of sexual dominants all of whom are wealthy and succesful.

Most are far more wealthy than he is as some were born into money. The suit he will be wearing in the scene I am writing was bought for him by a well known fashion model. (who of course shows up to get the sister catty).

He also gets a ton of business thrown his way by these people and there contacts which is why he would be doing better than your average smaller city attorney.

 

[LettersFromTatyana]

Now why you gotta dis little Rhody? Think no one has money here? The state doesn't but some of the people who live here do.

It's New England. Of course there's wealth. You're missing my point.

In addition to asking the somewhat simple question of what a lawyer would be wearing, you're also asking what people do with their assets and/or how they spend their income. The answer to those questions is based on both personality and what is considered acceptable in social and work circles. I wrote my answer accordingly.

As for the rest, it wasn't clear from your OP that this was for an existing character. I'm not sure I would have answered your OP in quite the same way if I'd known it was for a character with however many chapters behind him. Obviously, you know his rather unique characteristics best, and can write him as you see fit. I think the rest of us were answering according to how we would write him, based on what we like to see in fiction.

But hey, what do I know. I'm a classic over thinker with zero credibility in fiction writing.