I just got to a point where I have to tell what one of the main female characters is dressing. I am at a complete loss for names of stuff you women wear all the time (i.e.: clothes). I'd like to build some dictionary entries of things like "blose" "gown" "skirt" and "High heel shoes" (which are very likely the only words I can think about as of now).
Girls, this is a call for you! Want to lend me a hand?
----------
52,643 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2007 - 03 42
A blouse, to me, is a dressier shirt than say a button-down Oxford cloth. It's of a silky fabric and feminine. Others may have other thoughts on this. I'm not at a stage in life where I'm dressy or too feminine so perhaps I am just clueless.
A gown, in the dress sense of the word, is a formal dress. It's usually glitzier in some way than a standard dress, and is often long (i.e., floor-length). Think of those creations that the actresses wear to the Oscars. Those are gowns, but then there are more "normal" formal clothes as well. A gown, of course, can also mean a nightgown.
A skirt is basically a tube of fabric that hangs from the waist and does not have leg holes. They can be short (micro-mini) to long (floor-length), fitted (office wear), loose (think prairie dresses), and made of about anything you can imagine.
High heeled shoes I'll leave for someone else because that is something I'm not too conversant in.
Write on!
----------"Do or do not. There is no try."
~*Yoda*~
2,345 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2007 - 03 50
Women wear a lot of the stuff guys do- especially if they're younger.
I rarely see girls in skirts, but I see them in jeans and track pants all the time. Same goes with jackets, t-shirts and hoodies.
And I know for a fact that I a lot of girls love to wear things that men own, simply because they are more comfortable and roomy.
Hope that helps!
----------"Let the world change you, and you can change the world."
80,153 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2007 - 04 36
You want to learn clothes? Open up the Sunday paper and look at the adds. It's a great way to know what age group is wearing what. Another way is to google a brand name. If your character is well off, and 30-55 try Talbots. If she's younger, hip, and into changing fashions, try Macys. One of the best ways is to go to the library and check out Oprah, Style, etc...these mags will give you lots of ideas of treny bags, shoes, and the latest jewelry.
good luck,
Ravenne
2,345 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2007 - 04 58
Or, for added fun, go to a department store and point to things and ask the store help there what that thing is called. Write down your answers, and make a scene in your novel relating to it. ;)
"Whats this?"
----------"uhh...socks"
"Oh, cool" -scribbles-
"And what do you call one of these?"
"...Flip-flops"
"Let the world change you, and you can change the world."
6,215 / 50,000
Nov 2, 2007 - 05 18
good luck,
Ravenne
Rave, this is really going to work for me thanks!
"Whats this?"
"uhh...socks"
"Oh, cool" -scribbles-
"And what do you call one of these?"
"...Flip-flops"
That would be really cool, but I don't live in an english speaking country..
50,628 / 50,000
Nov 4, 2007 - 16 46
this is so not me to be bringing this up, but don't forget underwear and bras and things like that. and with regard to most women's clothing, there are an infinite number of ways to make any item of clothing- dressy or casual, all kinds of material. there is generally more variety in women's clothes than men's. is she getting dressed for work? for a ball game? for a party? that all affects what she's putting on.
50,382 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2007 - 03 51
Is it because you don't know what women wear? Or because you know the Italian words but not the English?
Some of the words for women's clothes that I might use are:
bra - can be padded or underwired or both
socks
tights (pantihose in US) - never stockings
knickers - also called underwear, pants (polite, old-fashioned) drawers (polite, very very old-fashioned) I've only heard them called 'panties' in adverts.
Trousers (pants in US)
Shorts, in summer
T shirts
Top - anything worn on the top half of the body
Blouse - for me that's a woman's shirt, as long as it isn't too plain.
Shirt - a blouse that looks pretty much like a man's shirt.
Skirt - like a kilt but for women, covers from waist on down to anywhere. Can be pleated, full, tight, with slit.
Dress - a skirt but with a 'top' to it.
Gown - a very grand dress for wearing to balls.
Fleecie - polyester fleece jacket or sweater
Jacket
Jeans
culottes (also known as divided skirt) - a garment that looks like a loose-hanging skirt but has separations for the legs like trousers.
Cardigan
Jumper, sweater.
Scarf
Pyjamas for night time, or a nightie (that's short for nightdress)
If you need any of this clarified you can always PM me.
72,973 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2007 - 06 43
Get yourself a girlfriend and undress her very slowly, noting down the pieces of clothing as you remove them from her.
For educational variety, repeat process with different girlfriend.
10,400 / 50,000
Nov 5, 2007 - 13 32
I can help with shoes!
flats
pumps (word for high heels but high heels is used more often)
high heels
kitten heels (low thin heel)
sandals
flip flops (as someone mentioned)
wedges (heels on a block instead of a stick...if that makes sense)
boots
come fuck me pumps ;)
mary janes (thick heels, closed toe)
peep'toes (with a tiny bit of toe showing through)
thigh high
square toe
platforms
stilettos (very high and impossibly thin heel)
slip ons
slippers
ballerina flats
My favorite topic, yes.
----------Good luck!
Whether you think you can or think you can't, it makes no difference- the dogs still have to be fed and walked.