So I've been listening to a series by Joanne Fluke about this woman who owns a cookie shop and helps solve mysteries. I know it sounds a bit cheesy but it's entertaining. I have one gripe about these books. The author describes characters outfits. This is a problem because fashions change and what may have sounded like an awesome outfit in the 80's or early 90's may not sound like such a great outfit now. A "beautiful maroon pantsuit" doesn't sound very fashionable to me. I envision something from the 70's. You wouldn't want to say, "everyone envied her unit belt and side pony tail" because guess what? We sure don't envy that unit belt now!
Conclusion - authors should not describe outfits except in the most general terms; say "the perfect little black dress", or "a crisp suit". These descriptions will allow the audience to imagine the characters fashionably dressed in the current fashion and allow the book to be enjoyed beyond the decade it was written in.
p.s. Caveat - this editorial on fashion does not include period specific books.
1 comment:
OH MY GOODNESS!!!! I couldn't agree with you more, Hailey! I actually read a book about 4 months ago that was written in 1994. The only reason I know that is because I had to check and see because of the clothing descriptions!! AKA puffy sleeved mermaid dresses are no longer in. And neither (I actually am not sure if they ever were) are wife beaters. Ew.
It almost makes you enjoy the book less doesn't it? I would never think a man in wife beater is a hottie. Yuck.
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