Sexy fashion parade

[LargoKitt]

I've noticed that certain stories, primarily lesbian erotic, often take the time to trot out the details of a woman's wardrobe, oftening mentioning luxury brand names. Pussy bows? Manolo Blahniks, pencil skirts. It does add dimension to the character, especially if you are a reader who can visualize or identify with the character because of their outfit. But sometimes it just seems like a gratuitous listing. And I would prefer to see it used as something that fleshes out the character, perhaps literally, like, "Magda was waiting for her impatiently, so she grabbed the blue Halston, but the zipper caught on her slip at the hips, so she trashed both of them, going for the floucy semi-transparent Lilly Pulitzer. Fuck it, she wanted Magda to see her ass because she knew she couldn't have it." But a fun question is: Is the 'dressing up' aspect of the story in itself erotic? And what makes it so? In a straight male story would one have, "Jaden pulled on the raspberry thong briefs because he could imagine Emily's eyes as he tugged down his stretch Tommy Bahama beach pants, the one's that tantalized her with just a little treasure trail. Was the tight sleeveless Celtic's jersey too much? She said she loved his 'guns'..."

 

[AwkwardMD]

The easy, uncharitable answer is that men don't care enough to recognize fashion in the course of an erotic story, which would be borne out by gay stories also not spending a lot of time on the same thing. In my limited experience, I've never come across brand names in GM the way I have in LS. If knowing fashion was important to a woman they were pursuing in their personal life, that might be a cross to bear, but for a story the audience gonna read once and get off to those are superfluous details for creator and reader both.

This is further borne out by the recent thread on how to complement women. One of the more popular answers ran along the lines of "say something nice about a choice I've made rather than about me directly." Other women obviously know some things about women's fashion, would know enough to hear Louboutin and associate that with the red leather sole. The familiarity is baked in.

That being said, I know I have lots of male readers in my LS smut. (I was about to say I don't usually engage in brand mentions but immediately realized I probably mention a lot of footwear (even though I'm not much of a foot gal (this probably requires some thinking))) I've never had any complaints. I think that many, or even most, men understand what's being referred to or can get there through context.

TL;DR Female LS authors are projecting the thing they wish would happen to them more often.

 

[NotWise]

If I wanted to make something erotic from what a woman was wearing I'd probably describe it while it was coming off, but not so much while it was going on. You can also describe her clothes to set a scene or add character without the description itself being erotic, and I'd try to incorporate that description with the action in a scene: the way she moved, the way people react to her, etc.

Whatever you do, keep in mind the audience you're writing for. Male readers may not make many associations with high-fashion brands. Women may not make many associations with sports teams.

 

[EmilyMiller]

"Jaden pulled on the raspberry thong briefs because he could imagine Emily's eyes as he tugged down his stretch Tommy Bahama beach pants, the one's that tantalized her with just a little treasure trail. Was the tight sleeveless Celtic's jersey too much? She said she loved his 'guns'..."

Man thongs? This Emily is gonna take a rain check.

But yeah, when I write a male narrator, I often get comments that they focus on clothing way too much. If it’s a female narator, no one seems to mind.

 

[ElvieG]

I like to describe the garments that my characters wear in detail, because it gives you an idea of what sort of person they are, and helps to set the scene. If I describe someone as wearing lots of brand names, it's usually because I'm making fun of them.

 

[Kelliezgirl]

It's certainly something you can over do. Like many aspects of writing it all just depends. If you are just name dropping, like in your example, that's poor writing, if it adds depth to a character, then do it.

 

[Cagivagurl]

Actually, I don't believe the LS category is that heavily populated by over zealous descriptions including brands....
If you like that, then read in CD, or TG categories, that's where you find the details in attire.... It's important..,,
LS, not so much..,.
IMO...
Regardless of the category, 80% of the readers are male... As are the authors....

Cagivagurl

 

[FrancesScott]

In my lesbian stories, it depends on the character. Dyhani, an accountant with Indian heritage is quite into clothes, and guesses that the other protagonist is wearing Chanel.

But Harriett ‘Harry’ Johnson is a high school teacher and Summertime pool lifeguard, she noticed the color and cut of clothing, but never mentions brands.

 

[LargoKitt]

I like to describe the garments that my characters wear in detail, because it gives you an idea of what sort of person they are, and helps to set the scene. If I describe someone as wearing lots of brand names, it's usually because I'm making fun of them.

I realize, coming from a male POV, that the clothes description 'pushes me outside', kind of like, 'this isn't your turf'. But I can imagine female readers, and some men, going, "Oh yeah, I would so wear that. But maybe not the spiked heels because she is going club hopping in the village and will have to walk all lame from club to club...although maybe she could get Jerry to ferry her on the Vespa, only she has that leather mini on. Sure, she could ride side saddle, but..."

 

[LargoKitt]

Actually, I don't believe the LS category is that heavily populated by over zealous descriptions including brands....
If you like that, then read in CD, or TG categories, that's where you find the details in attire.... It's important..,,
LS, not so much..,.
IMO...
Regardless of the category, 80% of the readers are male... As are the authors....

Cagivagurl

But then to dig down into the 'erotic aspect' and, as an author, to get us into the woman's head, does the *putting on* of the clothes have an erotic aspect? A process of ramping up the female libido. Because women will say, 'guys always have sex on their minds' but they will also say, 'My getting turned on happens *way* before we get to the trysting place. Which suggest to me that the whole 'thinking about what I will wear' and 'trying stuff on and seeing how I look' is (or can be) sex, and an erotic *process* in itself. Hey, there's a fun scene to write: a gal who is orgasmic getting ready for the date and kind of 'meh' on the date itself.

 

[LargoKitt]

Man thongs? This Emily is gonna take a rain check.

But yeah, when I write a male narrator, I often get comments that they focus on clothing way too much. If it’s a female narator, no one seems to mind.

Emily, I perceive an irony, because my partner, for instance was giving a real 'ick' to dudes in marble-sack speedos on the beach, and yet Chippendales dudes in the same slings get ladies smoky in a second. Certainly boxers are 'meh' and 'stretch boxers' are okay but non-functional as a loose sports bra. Maybe the same usefulness...they reduce the 'advertising' when one is aroused.

 

[GuiltyCowboy]

I’d argue that good erotica has a slightly fetishistic quality - you know, in the way it pays close attention to detail and almost luxuriates in it.

Clothes are absolutely a part of that, just as much as a character’s hair or hands or voice or smell. Perhaps even more so because clothes are always a choice; they can say more about a character than his forearms or her lips.

If I ever came across a story where the author knew the difference between a Huntsman jacket and one from Anderson & Sheppard then I’d feel, alright, I am in good hands here. Not because I’m particularly interested in Savile Row tailors myself but because I want an author to be deeply interested in the things they write about.

 

[PennyThompson]

I don't care that much about fashion or brands (most of my clothes are either thrifted or from the clearance racks at Old Navy). My characters lean more towards comfortable clothing than sexy clothing, though I personally think comfy IS sexy.

But I did write what felt like an inordinate amount of detail about Han Solo and Princess Leia costumes for my genderplay Nerd Pride cosplay story, and it received pretty positive feedback!

 

[Cagivagurl]

But then to dig down into the 'erotic aspect' and, as an author, to get us into the woman's head, does the *putting on* of the clothes have an erotic aspect? A process of ramping up the female libido. Because women will say, 'guys always have sex on their minds' but they will also say, 'My getting turned on happens *way* before we get to the trysting place. Which suggest to me that the whole 'thinking about what I will wear' and 'trying stuff on and seeing how I look' is (or can be) sex, and an erotic *process* in itself. Hey, there's a fun scene to write: a gal who is orgasmic getting ready for the date and kind of 'me' on the date.

I think that plays into the male psyche Not so much female...
Women are perhaps more likely to be freaked out about what to wear.
Men are far more visual.
A woman preparing for a date, is probably concerned about making a good impression, and isn't likely to be excited by the process....
It is a male fantasy...
IMO...
Cagivagurl

 

[EmilyMiller]

Chippendales dudes in the same slings get ladies smoky in a second.

Not all ladies

 

[LargoKitt]

Not all ladies

Lotta ladies like ladies, but I catch your drift...

 

[LargoKitt]

I think that plays into the male psyche Not so much female...
Women are perhaps more likely to be freaked out about what to wear.
Men are far more visual.
A woman preparing for a date, is probably concerned about making a good impression, and isn't likely to be excited by the process....
It is a male fantasy...
IMO...
Cagivagurl

Yeah, but...in my numble experience women dress for women. Oh, they want him to 'wow' and melt a little. But the *details*? Most dudes don't see them. Ask him after the date if she wore mauve tights to match the dress and whether her earrings were pearls or citrines and he will go glassy-eyed. Will you know the color of his eyes? absolutely. Will he know yours? Maybe. (If your date's a woman: Will she know yours? Certainly.) Does he have a clue what the initials on your handbag mean? Not likely. And there's a fascinating disjunct. Men are likely to think women are somehow 'pristine' creatures who are crisper and cleaner and smoother than others. They dream of seeing you with your hair down. (Most) women seem to think that they are somewhat grubby, bumpy, slightly messy creatures that have to work really hard to 'keep up appearances.' Of course, for milennia 'the patriarchy' loves to see women being attractive, competing with each other for some dumb schlub.

 

[mrs_mackenzie]

Regardless of the realities of the situation, I avoid using designer brand-names for clothing because I find it's off-putting. I'd always rather read about the colour, cut, style etc. than just be given a designer name and left to it. It's also alienating for a reader who isn't familiar with the brand in question.

Occasionally I might say 'designer handbag' or sunglasses or something to indicate that a character is wealthy or cares especially much about their appearance.

I think the male 'equivalent' is discourse about cars or watches. 'He pulled up in a 1978 Jaguar XJS' is being written for the male gaze nine times out of ten.

 

[AlinaX]

I was once accused of being superficial because a main character made designer clothing part of her identity.

 

[THBGato]

TL;DR Female LS authors are projecting the thing they wish would happen to them more often.

That's really interesting that this is your take; I've always assumed the opposite. That is, that stories which go on and on about clothing brands are written by male writers attempting to use designer name dropping as a short-cut to characterisation.

Maybe that's just me projecting (neither my wife or I give a shit about designer clothes; give either of us a Dior handbag and we'll probably eBay it and spend the money on cheap secondhand clothes from the market). But I've never really noticed excessive references to clothing in either your stories or those by, say, BrokenSpokes or OneHitWanda, unless they are a key part of the plot (e.g. "The dress" or underwear in "Roses for Erin").

Maybe it just comes down to style? Some writers can include them in such a way that it's so natural you don't notice; others have less sophistication and so infodump?

 

[Bazzle]

I've noticed that certain stories, primarily lesbian erotic, often take the time to trot out the details of a woman's wardrobe, oftening mentioning luxury brand names. Pussy bows? Manolo Blahniks, pencil skirts. It does add dimension to the character, especially if you are a reader who can visualize or identify with the character because of their outfit. But sometimes it just seems like a gratuitous listing. And I would prefer to see it used as something that fleshes out the character, perhaps literally, like, "Magda was waiting for her impatiently, so she grabbed the blue Halston, but the zipper caught on her slip at the hips, so she trashed both of them, going for the floucy semi-transparent Lilly Pulitzer. Fuck it, she wanted Magda to see her ass because she knew she couldn't have it." But a fun question is: Is the 'dressing up' aspect of the story in itself erotic? And what makes it so? In a straight male story would one have, "Jaden pulled on the raspberry thong briefs because he could imagine Emily's eyes as he tugged down his stretch Tommy Bahama beach pants, the one's that tantalized her with just a little treasure trail. Was the tight sleeveless Celtic's jersey too much? She said she loved his 'guns'..."

I think it depends on research?

I have worked with a few female writers and they have shared with me their pictures of what they think the characters are wearing and what they look like.

I just jump in and write a story. Some sit there and create a mood board of what the characters look like!


I prefer a story that describes the outfit more than one that focuses on her hormonal state and bra size?

 

[WhiteTailDarkTip]

Regardless of the realities of the situation, I avoid using designer brand-names for clothing because I find it's off-putting. I'd always rather read about the colour, cut, style etc. than just be given a designer name and left to it. It's also alienating for a reader who isn't familiar with the brand in question.

Occasionally I might say 'designer handbag' or sunglasses or something to indicate that a character is wealthy or cares especially much about their appearance.

I think the male 'equivalent' is discourse about cars or watches. 'He pulled up in a 1978 Jaguar XJS' is being written for the male gaze nine times out of ten.

It depends. If it's something iconic or particularly representative of an era (e.g. the miniskirt or classic RayBans) then I'll probably say so but otherwise I avoid brands, mainly because I'm pretty clueless about fashion in general! However, in my entry for the Born To Run competition I shamelessly name musical equipment because it's a pet obsession. More than one comment to the story says something to the effect that they don't understand what I'm talking about! But then that's sort of a mood board for me.

 

[WhiteTailDarkTip]

That's really interesting that this is your take; I've always assumed the opposite. That is, that stories which go on and on about clothing brands are written by male writers attempting to use designer name dropping as a short-cut to characterisation.

Maybe that's just me projecting (neither my wife or I give a shit about designer clothes; give either of us a Dior handbag and we'll probably eBay it and spend the money on cheap secondhand clothes from the market). But I've never really noticed excessive references to clothing in either your stories or those by, say, BrokenSpokes or OneHitWanda, unless they are a key part of the plot (e.g. "The dress" or underwear in "Roses for Erin").

Maybe it just comes down to style? Some writers can include them in such a way that it's so natural you don't notice; others have less sophistication and so infodump?

Thanks for support, BTW. Much appreciated.

 

[Bazzle]

I will also say sometimes it's a writing style.
Thriller writer Dominic Piper goes to town describing the things. It's like the Argos catalogue.

 

[AwkwardMD]

That's really interesting that this is your take; I've always assumed the opposite. That is, that stories which go on and on about clothing brands are written by male writers attempting to use designer name dropping as a short-cut to characterisation.

Maybe that's just me projecting (neither my wife or I give a shit about designer clothes; give either of us a Dior handbag and we'll probably eBay it and spend the money on cheap secondhand clothes from the market). But I've never really noticed excessive references to clothing in either your stories or those by, say, BrokenSpokes or OneHitWanda, unless they are a key part of the plot (e.g. "The dress" or underwear in "Roses for Erin").

Maybe it just comes down to style? Some writers can include them in such a way that it's so natural you don't notice; others have less sophistication and so infodump?

I trust your assessment. You've read more LS than I have.