My blog has turned into my mental fanfiction rages in writing, but I suppose I have nothing better to do with it anyways. Therefore, let's continue :)

Majority of people really like to write about physical attributes. Not their like jawline or eyes, though those are popular as well, but what there wearing or what makeup they applied, things like that. Now, there's nothing wrong with that sort of imagery. What they're wearing could have symbolic significance in the story, like John Steinbeck's (I love this guy) "The Harness." Or what they're wearing could pertain to the mood of the chapter, it could be used for indirect characterization, or maybe this scene is important in the fanfiction. The problem lies within the fact they never use it in that sort of way, people just like describing it in general.

I've seen many attempts at using clothing as indirect characterizations. People will say this girl's wearing jeans and a giant sweater to imply she's a tomboy, etc. However, most actually say "She was dressed in nearly a manly fashion, baggy, loose, blue jeans draped over her legs paired with a cotton t-shirt, black with holographic glitter and "METALLICA" scrawled across the top." If you've already said she dresses in a manly fashion, we don't need so many adjectives in regards to her clothing. I'll take your word for it, seeing how you're the author, and you could simply say the blue jeans and t-shirt part. When you pair those pieces of clothing with the adjective "manly" in regards to a female, most can already picture the outfit relatively accurately.

I don't think I've ever seen someone (on asianfanfics) try to use a piece of clothing significantly. The closest was an umbrella, sort of, but never a piece of clothing.

The problem with most makeup descriptions is that they're not detailed enough. If you really want us to picture their face, if you really do, then just the "she applied blush, lipgloss, and mascara" isn't enough. Some people would say those authors are just attempting to relay the fact their protagonist's "glamourizing" herself, but in that case specifically naming products isn't necessary. And if you do, at least make sure they make sense. Who would wear blush without foundation and powder? There are tons of makeup application methods that can drastically change how you look, so you'll also have to specify that. Does the blush go on the apples of her cheeks, the bone, or does she contour with it? What finish is the lipgloss? Is the eyelook at least natural or smokey? That all makes a huge difference, so if you're not going to specify than don't place such an emphasis on her face.

Readers seemed to like it so in some of my older works I put some random clothing descriptions in there, but it was boring writing them and felt like unnecessary filler so I stopped. As a reader, I can also say I really don't enjoy reading about all that stuff, I usually just skip the paragraph where they include that sort of thing.

For a more general opinion, though, do you guys like reading clothing and makeup descriptions?