Wednesday Writing: Dress Your Characters, the 2020s

Posted on by Teagan Riordain Geneviene

Wednesday, October 29, 2025 

Velma Daphne-tongue cats closeUp 09-2025

(The Scoobies:  “We don’t need no stinkin’ outfits.”)

Hello, everyone.  I hope you’ve had a great week so far.  As if I didn’t already have half a dozen nonfiction books in progress, an idea for another one came to me while I was working on my atom-punk novel.  The notion came from the fact that I like to give at least one character in each story (more if there are a lot of characters) a favorite item of clothing. So, I started thinking about how differently I might show the way characters dress — in many decades.

Due to the aforementioned number of books in progress, I’m don’t know if I’ll jump into writing that yet. It would be a big project.  However, I thought a post about the 2020s might be fun.  I’m gifting you a lot of research in this post.  So, let’s proceed in a sort of counter intuitive order.  As you’ll soon see, I’ve provided descriptions of numerous style or trend names from our current decade.   While the style-name alone is not enough to provide a clear description for most readers of a story, when it is combined with mention of one or two pieces of clothing that are part of that style… well, the terms sort of reflect back and forth off one another.  It allows a one to create a richer description in fewer words.

An Exercise

There is so much definition information that I’m providing the exercise first…  You would skim through the terms before trying the challenge.

9 Cottagecore Aesthetic Outfits: Dreamy Styles for 2025

(Above “cottagecore” image by Fashion Gone Rogue, 2025)

I’ll give you a couple of examples first.  Then you can scroll down and pour over the definitions to gather your own descriptions.  What I suggest for this exercise is to pick one of the fashion “look” categories, and explain by mentioning a couple of specific items.

Example 1:   At first glance, Dolly wondered why her friend wanted her to meet Clive.  Based on the man she saw across the room, he couldn’t be something as fascinating as an archeologist.  He was in his thirties, but he had electric grandpa written all over him, from the blue polo shirt to the loafers.  Not that there was anything wrong with that.  It just didn’t seem compatible with her own free spirit. Then she noticed the turquoise bead choker around his neck and decided he might be interesting after all.

Example 2:  “Hurry up, Ella!  We’ll miss our flight.  Just grab an armful of your wonderful cottagecore clothes and stuff them into a suitcase.  Anything in your closet will be perfect for Savannah.  Don’t forget to bring that off the shoulder peplum dress — you’re an absolute nymphette in that.  Hey, that reminds me, can I borrow your gladiator sandals?“

The General Style Definitions of the 2020s

Spring 2025 Ralph Lauren Campaign Resonates With Young People — Anne of Carversville

(Quiet Luxury, above courtesy of Ralph Lauren, Spring 2025)

Naturally, there are plenty of times when a rather detailed description of a character’s clothes can serve your story quite well.  However, one doesn’t want to do that too often.  In many cases it’s fine to describe things in general terms.  However, even vague descriptions can convey more if some style-terms are applied.  Here are a few (for both women and men), and then we’ll go to more specific looks — there are several of those.

Quiet luxury:  Think timeless styles, simpler refined designs, clothes that seem like “old money.” 

Maximalist fashion:  Bold colors and creative styles that allow self-expression.  This is “in your face” to the minimalist trends of the 2010s.  Actually, the maximalist styles shift away from just about anything that had been associated with millennials of the previous decade (like side-parted hair or no-show socks).  This includes “dopamine dressing” (scroll down to Uptown Girls for more on that). 

Athleisure or active wear:  No, that isn’t new at all.  It lives on, and market research suggests that athleisure never really went out of style.  In fact, athleisure has been gaining popularity for years.  As a description, it could be a quick way to convey a character’s overall way of dressing. 

Styles for Women

8 Fall 2025 Trends It Girls Are Already Wearing | Who What Wear

(Above photo credit Who What Wear, fall 2025)

Comfortcore:  Homey, comfortable clothes to wear at home.  Although people who preferred this look took it beyond their homes too. There were sub-trends of comfortcore that make wonderfully evocative words to describe your characters. Here are several:

Cottagecore: Sometimes called grandmacore or farmcore. This kind of clothing is defined by pastel colors that evoke a romantic, idealized country aesthetic, like prairie dresses, gingham mini-dresses, floral embroidery. This often includes secondhand items. The term can also include a total lifestyle.

Coastal grandmother:  A great description if your character is from the rural American East Coast.  Think of it as a beachy, romantic aesthetic.

Uptown Girls 

(My term, not a fashion term)

(Above, courtesy of Tory Burch fashion line fall/winter 2025)

Allotment chic:  A more urban version of cottage core (especially in the UK where “allotment” is a more common term).  Think chunky knitted cardigan sweaters, cotton twill maxi skirts, all in earth tone colors.

Barbiecore:  That’s easy enough to figure out, isn’t it?  Naturally it was more of a trend while the Barbie movie was out a couple of years ago.  The aesthetic embraces over-the-top looks, typically monochromatic, with loads of pink hues, and funky silhouettes, like mini dresses paired with larger-than-life platform shoes.

Retirement wear:  Not necessarily for retirees.  Combines elements of just about everything.  Generally, think of these clothes as something like the lovely Diane Keaton might have worn in her movies.

Dopamine Dressing:  Featured a contrasting array of things like long skirts with high slits, often with wide belts, or oversized garments in transparent fabrics, bright colors, strappy or chunky sandals, or Ugg boots.

fall fashions on mannequins 2025 Wikimedia

(Bright colors above could fall into more than one trend. I consider it rather general. Wikimedia)

Glamor wear:  Luxury fashions often with shiny or metallic details, usually for evening or club wear.  This includes feathers, fringe, ribbons, or sequins galore.  Dresses are either short or asymmetrical (or both).  Trousers usually have flared legs and are metallic colors particularly silver.  Contrast can play an important part, such as cowboy boots (bedazzle them with rhinestones) with a tuxedo, or ballet flats or Mary Jane shoes with a gown.

Balletcore:  Ballerina inspired dressing, like flowy skirts of various lengths, capped sleeved bodysuits, ballet flats, and soft bun hairstyles.

Styles for Men

Fall 2025 Men's Fashion Trends—What to Wear, According to Esquire

(Above image JPress, Esquire, 2025)

Menswear is at once easier to work into a story, yet more difficult because the kind of generalized terms above don’t typically apply to it quite as much.  Yes, there are plenty of trends in specific garments for any decade, but I’m trying to help you build an encompassing visual through a few key words.  Even so, there are a few descriptive trends below.  Don’t let the word “grandpa” confuse you.  This can apply for adult men of whatever age, and some women as well.

Vintage Patriotic:  The predominant colors for this look in the USA, Britain, Australia, and France are red, white, and blue.  It’s a retro look that pulls from various decades, particularly the 1970s.  It includes western shirts in denim or madras plaid, denim waistcoats (vests), suede fringe jackets, sportscoats worn with blue jeans.  Or rugby shirts, baseball jerseys, baggy white pants, leather blouson jackets, Union Jack motifs, duster coats, preppie styles including loafers.

What Is 'Eclectic Grandpa' Style, and Why Should You Care? | GQ

(Electric Grandpa styles above by Getty for GQ, fall 2024)

Electric Grandpa:  aka Grandpacore.  As before, this is not just for granddads — men (and sometimes women) or all ages wear these clothes. This is also a retro look.  It’s characterized by vintage-inspired casual fashion from the late 1940s to early 1960s.  Think of colorful knitwear, wide pleated trousers, suspenders, dress socks, loafer shoes, tweed accessories — particularly flat caps.   In warm weather, grandpacore style takes on a relaxed, beach-inspired look with camp shirts, pleated shorts, polo shirts, boat shoes, and simple beaded jewelry as an accessory.  Also, aquatic themed clothing with ocean colors, shell or other ocean prints. 

The Kids

Oh yes, your young characters can be enhanced by their style too.  

Stray Kids pop group 2024 Wikimedia

E-Kid and/or Alt Kid:  An online-based ascetic.  Style terms for kids are definitely influenced by their predecessors, although not as far back as the retro of adults.  The E-Kid look influenced the resurgence of the gothic, punk, emo and scene subcultures.  Hairstyles are frequently androgynous and colorful, inspired by the late 2000s scene fashion.  Sometimes this includes anime inspired accessories like animal ears and tails.  Other items include layered clothing, or graphic t-shirts, platform boots, fishnet tights.  Accessories include studded belts, skull jewelry.  Any of these are blended with current trends.

Opium aesthetic:  The word Opium goes to the rap record label. This style combined high fashion with monochromatic clothing and hip-hop fashion, drawing inspiration from avant-garde designers 

Hip-hop:  That’s an umbrella term for any clothing influenced by hip-hop music.  The look uses elements from designer fashion, athleisure, and vintage clothing.  However, it often includes comfortable things like hoodies, sweatpants, and graphic tees, combined with high-end textures and silhouettes.

VSCO Girls:  NOTE: the name has mostly been phased out due to bullying, although the look continues.  The name comes from a photo app.  It emphasizes a cute and comfortable look. Girls wear scrunchies not just for their hair, but often on their wrists.  Makeup uses a light touch, if any at all is used.  Popular items include oversized tie-dyed T-shirts, long sweatshirts, sweater dresses, or bike shorts.  Also, denim skirts, overalls, shortalls, pleated skirts.

Soft Grunge:  This is basically what you’d expect, it’s a resurgence of the grunge look and was made popular by celebrities.

kidcore outfits aesthetic style

(Yoora Kim image for Seventeen, 2022)

Kidcore or Kidult:  This reflects a desire to rebel against gender roles and reject social expectations.  It is influenced by Japanese street fashion and nostalgia.  This look rejects “fast fashion.”  Instead, it turns to thrift stores like Goodwill to find items such as tennis skirts, sweater vests, mom jeans, crop tops, oversized hoodies and cardigans, Doc Martens, and other eclectic pieces like shortalls.  Some accessories include bucket hats, shoestring belts, friendship bracelets, beaded jewelry, hair clips, and childlike purses or fuzzy bags.  (Unfortunately, despite the anti-consumerist message, much of this clothing is actually produced by fast fashion companies like Shein and AliExpress.)

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Now… are you ready to dress your character?  Leave a comment to describe how your character might dress, or their favorite article of clothing.  Or just leave a friendly comment.  Hugs!

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Bad Moon Rising

There are still a few more days of the horror and suspense book festival at Teri Polen’s —  Bad Moon Rising.  Most authors are giving away free books. Authors also answer fun questions.  I was there October 6th.  Click here for my questions and answers.

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Of course, the obligatory shameless self-promotion must be included.

Dead of Winter Omnibus: All the Journeys

The 14 Journeys (novellas) of Dead of Winter in one volume, e-book and audiobook. 

Universal Purchase link (e-book only):  relinks.me/B0FP9XL46J

Audiobook:  relinks.me/B0FPB2L9WV

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Copyright © 2025 by Teagan Ríordáin Geneviene

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62 thoughts on “Wednesday Writing: Dress Your Characters, the 2020s”

  1. This post is such a fun dive into 2020s fashion trends! I love how you tie character personality to their favorite clothing — it really brings them to life. If I were dressing a character, I’d probably go with a cottagecore look, with a flowy floral dress and comfy knit cardigan, perfect for cozy reading afternoons. Or maybe a dopamine dressing outfit with bright colors and playful accessories to show a bold, energetic personality. Posts like this really make me want to explore unique clothing styles for storytelling!
    Also, for anyone looking to get inspired by real-world clothing styles while writing, https://cultstore.co/
    has a great selection of trendy pieces that could help bring your characters’ wardrobes to life.

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  2. A lot of thanks for sharing such valuable and knowledgeable content. It helped me gain clear understanding and useful insights on the topic. Your effort in creating and sharing this information is highly appreciated and truly beneficial for learners like me.

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  5. Pingback: Roberta Writes – Reblog: “The Soldier and the Radium Girl Part 1: The Bloom of Youth, Chapter 1: Enlist in haste, repent at leisure (cont. 3)” by Roberta Eaton Cheadle

    1. Hi, Dave. It’s good to see you. Haha. When I took the pic, I didn’t realize Daphne’s tongue was out. It cracked me up when I saw it. To me, the styles overlap so much that they nearly merge into one… But I liked the names of them because just the terms put images in my mind. Hugs.

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  8. You sure did your homework on this, Teagan.

    I don’t have a character to describe. Lol!

    Me – Black boho meets movie wardrobe collecting. I defy it all. I embrace it all.

    Thank you for this fun post, Teagan! HUGS!

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  10. Teagan, when I read a novel or view a film, I do pay attention to what the description is of the clothes characters are wearing, and I have wondered how much emphasis or concern writers, directors, etc. put into those choices. This was a very interesting post. I liked Holly’s comment about Annie Hall. It was spot-on.

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    1. Hi, Bruce. I’m happy that you enjoyed this post. Yes, Holly has insightful comments. Based on what other writers have said to me in comments here and offline, the emphasis they place on clothing varies widely from not at all to a lot. As to TV and film, I’d say there’s always at least some — consider that every production has someone in charge of putting clothes on the actors. Some of these go into great detail and historic accuracy (while others seem haphazard about accuracy). Check out Resa’s blog — she was a costumer for film and TV. Here’s a post from this summer where I featured her. https://teagansbooks.com/2025/07/09/re-inventionators-resa-mcconaghy/
      Hugs to you and Mrs. B.

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  11. This is a post to be read… and reread, Teagan, and so beautiful, gives me a deliciously elegant and optimistic vibe, loving it! Oh… and the Scoobies in the window are such a joy, “..no stinkin outfits!” 😅

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    1. Hi, Nicole. You are so kind — thank you.
      Haha, the Scoobies are arguing over a new box. (My humidifier stopped working, and I just set up a new one. In this “high desert” climate the humidity is hazardously low, so it’s important for anyone with asthma or other respiratory issues to use a humidifier all year.) Anyhow, the two of them can barely fit in the rectangular box together. LOL. Hugs.

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  12. Teagan, this post is an absolute treasure. I have come back to this post three times to take in your thoughtful research and creativity! You have such a wonderful gift for using fashion to illuminate character and deepen the story. Your books are extra special because the clothing isn’t just detail or decoration. How you dress your characters adds real drama, emotion, and understanding to the plot. Every fabric choice and accessory seems to tell its own story.

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    1. You are so kind, Rebecca– thank you. I remember that you particularly liked the description of one of the gowns in Dead of Winter.

      You reminded me of that old phrase, “The clothes make the man.” Also of the best career advice I ever ignored, “Dress as if you already have the job you want” (nearly impossible without the salary). …..I say that to point out that people who say they don’t notice clothes DO. They don’t realize it or admit it to themselves, but they do.

      No matter how people protest that they either just don’t or that they “only see the inside,” what the eye behold shapes not just the first impression, but the overall concept. That is why careful use of clothing in writing is such an important tool (if done effectively).

      I really appreciate your mindful comment. Hugs on the wing.

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      1. Teagan, you’ve expressed this beautifully. We often say that appearance doesn’t matter, yet our eyes make quiet judgments long before our minds begin to reason. Clothing, whether in daily life or on the page, becomes a kind of language. It is a language that reveals, conceals, and sometimes even transforms us. I’ve always felt that how we dress is less about vanity and more about storytelling. Every fabric, every colour choice is a sentence in the narrative we write about ourselves. Thank you for opening this wonderful discussion!!!! I’m still thinking about it. Sending many hugs back to you on speedy wings to you and the Scoobies!

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        1. Clothing choices as storytelling? Oh, I love that! Many people do dress for others, whether to impress or to fit in with a group or a company culture. In the 90s (and probably further back) they started saying that “women don’t dress for men” (which had been the popular opinion for decades, maybe centuries), but that women actually dressed for other women. That was largely true. But I was one of the few who always dressed for myself (much to the detriment of my career). It was a self-expression impulse. In my career I “controlled” it to a degree, but just couldn’t stomach wearing the corporate or later the federal “uniform” (or it might as well have been a uniform). I can’t imagine what I would have done as a teen if I had gone to a school that required uniforms. LOL a mere dress code got me into enough trouble. 😀

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  13. I used to work in the fashion industry where trends changed by the minute. I have left that far far behind thank goodness. I must admit I actually don’t see many trendy dressers any more–even when I was in the garment center this summer, jeans or leggings were the dominant look. Well, and girls showing their midriffs. But otherwise, really, anything goes these days. Even my daughter’s corporate company no longer requires suits.
    I myself am always in jeans and a casual shirt–flannel for winter, light cotton for summer. (K)

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    1. I know what you mean, Kerfe. Comfort has gotten progressively more important with me. Although with my huge round shape, I stopped even wearing jeans (extremely uncomfortable for me) and downgraded even further to knit slacks! 😀
      It does, however, help one set a scene in a story. Happy Halloween — and hugs.

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        1. These days the C-PTSD has given me the opposite look from how I used to always dress — classic but very colorful. I always had a *physical* need for color. But to me, gray is the color of invisibly. So even to go to the mailbox, I usually wear gray. Of course my need for color is still there, so I don’t truly feel good in gray (or any neutral). But the need to not be seen is stronger. Also I don’t feel as at risk in gray. I don’t like wearing it, but…

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  15. Mu category would be Slob Aesthetic: Worn out sweat pants with thin spots and baggy knees, a tee shirt with a sprung and unraveling neck, and a sweater with holes at the elbows and various other places.

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  16. I love this post! Amanda wears jeans, T-shirts, cargo pants and hoodies. She likes to be comfortable. In the latest book she is going to be a bridesmaid so I had to come up with a dress for her. That was fun! Here is what I picked for her:

    Amanda loved her floor-length, sea-glass-green dress with cascading ruffles down one side. Dresses weren’t really her thing, but this one made her feel like a princess.

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  17. Dear Teagan, the Annie Hall look is a great example of how fashion has a tremendous influence on a plot , Annie Hall is a great example. So timeless Keaton continued to wear the style. Thanks for such a great post. Congrats on your book! 😊❤️

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    1. Hi, Carol. You just helped make the point of this exercise. In writing (fiction or nonfiction) about someone who cooks, a mention of something they tended to wear when cooking helps make the article (or story) more alive. I’m loving your Facebook photos of Shadow and Olly. Hugs.

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  19. Wow! I don’t think I had heard many of these terms before (I have living in Spain for a while now), and although know the looks, I had no idea what they were called. It is fascinating. If I go into writing fiction again, I know what should I check! I’m bookmarking this post, Teagan. Many thanks and big hugs! And love to the Scoobies!

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  20. This was an eye opener for me. I have not given much thought to how my characters dress until know. My style is your basic button down, khaki slacks, no sock loafer look and I guess I think all my characters are the same. It might be time to put some real thought into how they dress. A super post, Teagan. It got the thought process moving.

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    1. Hi, John. Thanks very much! Mentioning clothes certainly is not a requirement for a good book for character development. It’s only one method. Think of Columbo’s raincoat, or Indiana Jones’s hat. Also, a few choice clothing or interior decor terms can give a great snapshot of a scene when showing cinematic details might bog down the story. This is sort of an exercise in minimalism. I really appreciate you commenting. Hugs.

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  21. I have an example and a confession (to your readers) to make. When I needed to dress my female reporter (Rascal Todd) for her first real date with her boyfriend Terry, I reached out to my wife, our daughter and you for advice. I’m going to be rude and paste in two snippets from Bridge to Nowhere – I hope you remember this exercise.

    The plan:

    “So, I need to find something that works for dinner, an eclectic theater, and I’m guessing an avant-garde café.”

    “Meanwhile, Terry will wear his best jeans and his favorite shirt,” Lily replied while laughing. “I know just the place, but it’s over near me. Can you pick me up around ten?”

    The purchase:

    A mannequin wearing a light green double-breasted blazer hanging loose over a short, cropped pullover top drew Rachael’s attention. The jacket had embroidered accents, rosebuds down the front and an interesting design surrounding the cuffs. “I love this jacket! I think I’d prefer a blouse or a light sweater underneath, but this is the jacket, for sure.”

    So there’s my contribution. Since I’ve already set the precedent for coming to you for fashion advice, I think I’d scoop this book up in a heartbeat. I hope you have a great day, Teagan! Best-dressed-hugs!

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    1. You’re generous, Dan. All I did was say yes I like the pictures (that you choose for go-bys) but that she would probably wear X-type of top. Actually, I’d like to have that outfit myself. 😁 It’s fine that you used a snippet. Come back and add a link to your book.
      Within the context of your book, you’ve given a good example of when it’s good to let the reader have a lot of details. You used her date to help shape Rachel’s character, and a detailed description of her outfit helped the reader see the complexity of her feelings.
      In other situations one might want to only give a snapshot of things, and a few words (or terms) about a character’s clothing can be a good way.
      Thanks for coming out to play. Hugs.

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    1. 😊 Thanks, Brian. What I’m suggesting for writers could be similar to how you might compose a photo. Sometimes one (a reader) wants “macro photography,” but not all the time. The reader needs “landscape shots” to get a quick mental picture of the scene and character — that’s what I hoped to bring out here. Many thanks for commenting. Hugs.

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  24. This post gave me pause for thought. I don’t know how I would dress my characters, if I had any. Also what the characters wore would probably depend on which country they were living in. That adds another layer of complexity.

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    1. It’s good to see you, Mandy. I thought about you the instant my search for photos turned up that one of the K-pop group. Isn’t it a fun mental exercise! Absolutely (about the countries). Showing an item of clothing that is commonly associated with a particular country can convey paragraphs with a mention of a single term. Many thanks for visiting and commenting. Hugs.

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