Words can be alluring. They can be used to paint vivid images in the reader’s mind, or they can be woven into intricate metaphors that tell a tale. Many times, however, words can betray us. They can lead us astray, causing us to misinterpret the situation or people around us.
Take, for example, the word “attire.” In the world of fashion, it typically denotes the clothes a person wears. However, in the context of creative writing, it can mean so much more. Below, we will explore the creative writing meaning of ‘attire,’ as well as how to use it effectively.
The Fashion Meaning Of ‘Attire’
If you’re unfamiliar, the word “attire” has a history reaching back centuries in English. It originally denoted a person’s ‘dress,’ which is the way a person looks or dresses. The word ‘attire’ gradually changed in meaning over time to specifically denote the types of clothes a person wears. For example, people in the 17th century would have worn a ‘suit’ or ‘get-up,’ while those in the 18th century would have worn a ‘costume.’
In the world of fashion, an ‘attire’ can be any type of clothing a person wears, including but not limited to suits, dresses, blazers, and pants. When used in creative writing, the definition of ‘attire’ specifically denotes the types of clothes listed above, and also includes any accessories that go with it (e.g. a scarf, a watch, etc.).
Many creative writers will use ‘attire’ to denote the outfit a character wears in a story. For example, if a character wears a blue dress and has blonde hair, the writer would typically describe the character’s attire as ‘blue and blonde.’ When used in this way, ‘attire’ does not necessarily have to represent a specific style (e.g. “John’s dress is a maroon and white checkerboard design”).
In addition to clothing, an ‘attire’ in the context of creative writing can also refer to the person’s hairstyle and makeup. If the character has long hair and is wearing makeup, the writer would typically describe the character’s attire as ‘glamorous.’ For example, if a character wears a black dress and has heavily lined eyes, the writer might say that the character is “dazzling in a black dress with heavy eye makeup.”
Creative Writing Definition Of ‘Attire’
If we compare the typical, traditional fashion definition of ‘attire’ to the one above, it becomes clear that the two are not necessarily the same. While clothing is an important aspect of ‘attire,’ it is only one element among many. A more accurate definition of ‘attire’ in the context of creative writing might be “the overall appearance or image a person creates or projects.”
This expanded definition has two important implications for writers. First, it shows that ‘attire’ can be much more than just clothes. Second, it highlights that a person’s appearance can change, depending on the situation or environment they find themselves in. While some people may wear suits in an office setting, in a club or bar, they may decide to dress in more vibrant colors.
In the example above, if the character is headed to a club after work hours, they may decide to change their attire. Depending on the time of day and location, their look can change. If it’s a casual get-together during the day, they may wear something simple, like a T-shirt or a tank top. If it’s a classy, upscale bar, they may decide to wear a lovely dress or a colorful skirt.
As mentioned above, the word ‘attire’ has a very rich history, reaching back centuries as a way to describe a person’s clothing. Since its inception, the word ‘attire’ has always been associated with fashion. It is still widely used in relation to clothing today, but in the 21st century, it has also started to be used in other ways, related to fashion but not limited to it. If you’re writing a story and decide that your character needs some new duds, you can refer back to this article to help you decide what types of clothes your character should wear.
Even if your character is not directly related to fashion, you can use this article as a guide to help you decide what types of ‘attire’ your character should wear in your story. For example, if you’re writing a historical fiction novel and decide that your character should wear something different from what they normally wear (e.g. a dress instead of pants), you can look back to this article for help deciding what types of attire they should wear. It might be an important distinction for your plot!
How To Use ‘Attire’ Effectively In Creative Writing
As mentioned above, the word ‘attire’ has a number of different meanings. This can cause a little bit of confusion when trying to use it effectively in creative writing. If you’d like to use this word in a way that makes sense in the context of writing, it’s important to understand its various definitions. For this reason, we will explore briefly below some of the most common usage tips for writers. These tips will help you incorporate ‘attire’ into your creative writing with ease.
1. Be Selective
When using ‘attire’ in creative writing, it is important to be selective about the styles you choose to depict. Going back to the above example, if a character is headed to a club after work hours, it would be best to pick an elegant or sophisticated look for them. However, if they are just going to a get-together with friends, it would be best to choose something simple, like a colorful T-shirt or a tank top with a lovely, elegant neckline. Being selective about the styles you choose will increase the likelihood of your ‘attire’ making sense in the context of your story, and it will also help your readers understand what is being described.
2. Match The Feel Of Your Story
When writing a story, you should try to match the “feel” of your story. This means selecting clothing and other items that reflect the overall atmosphere of what you are writing. If you are not sure what the “feel” of your story is, ask yourself questions, such as “Does the mood of my story match the feel of a glitzy nightclub?” or “Does the vibe of my story call for a more formal appearance?”
The “feel” of your story will influence your character’s appearance. For example, if you are writing a romantic comedy, the feel of the story may be lighthearted and informal. In this case, it would be best to choose an outfit that is colorful and has a relaxed atmosphere (e.g. jeans and a tank top for the girl, and a T-shirt and sneakers for the guy).
If your story has a darker tone, you might want to choose something more muted to reflect the mood of your story. For example, if you are writing a crime drama and the atmosphere calls for a more subdued look, you can select an outfit that is in keeping with the tone of your story (e.g. black dress for the girl, and a gray or brown sweater for the guy).
3. Be Authentic
When writing a story, it is important to be authentic. This means choosing your characters’ clothing and other items based on your own personal experience. If you don’t have any experience with that particular item or style, it is better to go with something more generic. For example, if it’s too costly to purchase a specific style of clothing for your character, it would be better to choose an outfit that is representative of some other time period (e.g. the 1950s for the girl, and the 1990s for the guy).
This will help your readers understand your character’s story more clearly. It will also make sense for your characters, since they will have more in common with your own experience. This will help increase the authenticity of your story, making it more real to your readers.
4. Use Common Sense
Many times, we are so focused on writing a compelling narrative that we forget to use our common sense. This means being observant of your characters and the world around them, and making reasonable assumptions about what is going on. If you want your readers to empathize with your character, it is important that they can relate to what is happening.