MONTY: Fabrics and Fashion!

Why Just Stop At Reading?

Welcome back, readers! Before I get started with this new issue, I want to leave you with a thought provoking idea. I know there are a lot of die-hard chapter-book readers here on Substack- I still find it impressive how some people are able to digest a 700-page book in a month (okay, maybe I’m exaggerating; maybe I’m not- there are some real speed-readers out there- but I’m not one of them). Let me be honest with my audience- That isn’t me.

Ouff. I know that hurt, hearing I don’t constantly devote myself to literature and have my nose on a new book every week. Sorry- there is a very justifiable reason for that. I don’t just love books that have stories- I love any form of media that is capable of having a story nestled in its embrace. Whether it’s film, books, comic books, games, theatre, musical performances- whatever ways we humans have used to convey our narratives intrigue me so much.

I know there are a lot of artists, musicians, and everything in between here. There is plenty of inspiration out there that isn’t just written text. Maybe it’s a show or movie you absolutely love because of the sound design, direction, or choreography. Maybe it’s a song that with its lyrics and instruments tell a story that moves your soul. Be open to other types of media out there, and how they tell their story. That’s in part what Now Loading… is all about- new techniques, narrative elements, and concepts that we all as creators should further study and practice!

Spider-Man in 10 different Costumes from Insomniac’s 2018 Marvel Spider-Man released on PlayStation 4

Why You Should Be a Fashionista Too!

With that being said- YES! Even fabric can convey a story! Not to be dramatic but,

‘SINCE THE DAWN OF MAN-'

fabric has been a crucial factor to humanity’s expansion throughout the world. It was one of our first primitive tools to keep us protected, warm, covered. Just like music, just like congregating to eat- clothing has been another staple of our lives. And with that, of course it’s going to have historical, cultural, reputational, personal, and most of all, narrative significance.

Let me be more casual- please give your characters nice threads; it’ll help with the immersion and style of your cast! The easiest examples of this focus on clothing would be the nostalgic Harry Potter films and books! How could you have watched or read these books back in the day and not wanted a wand, robe, flying broom, or golden snitch?!

Think long-term. Wouldn’t you want every aspect of your story, whether it started as a book, or short-film, to eventually reach pop- culture status? George Lucas had every child in the 80’s begging their parents for a light-saber or a LEGO build for the Death Star.

Form = Function < Fashion = Form

As you write your stories, you inevitably do a lot of research, regardless of whether it’s fiction or nonfiction. One of the biggest rule-of-thumb I hear when it comes to how you should approach world building- Form equals Function. It is mostly sound advice. Mostly. It is true that many designs usually serve a functional purpose- I see it as sort of a Darwinian effect on the technology we’ve created throughout history. When older technology becomes obsolete due to the optimization of new inventions, the use of that old tech degrades over time, or it’s substituted entirely. That’s why cars evolved the way they have. to improve aerodynamics as well as the distribution of kinetic energy during a collision. If you live in the north, you’re used to wearing thick, heat-retaining jackets during brutal winters. If you’re in the military, your equipment and tactical gear was designed with the thought of enduring harsh and unforgiving terrains. Tactical boots are water resistant to help avoid predicaments like ‘trench foot.’

HOWEVER- this wasn’t always the case. There are plenty of examples where for the sake of trending fashion, personal taste, or our masochist belief that “beauty hurts”, people have endured wearing some very non-functional outfits because then, at the time, it sounded like a good idea.

Strange Attractions

Women know of corsets all too well. Well, how about “hoop skirts” or Crinolines- metal frames meant to be worn under a woman’s dress to make the skirt extra poofy. Footbinding- a practice of confining and contorting your foot to an ‘ideal’ size of 3 inches. The reason why this technique, that started during the Song dynasty in China, was even practiced should have you scratching your head. Why purposefully deform women’s feet that way?

Baroque and Victorian architecture and decor lean into elaborate flowing patterns and designs, all with the hopes of being timeless. Not just location, but the daily use and personal taste of all these different cultures show just how attraction really influences fashion.

Kids 20 years from now- by Matt Vargas

In Japan, from the 10th to early 19th century, Ohaguro was practiced among upper class women at the time. Nowadays, we appreciate pearly white teeth- but during the Heian and Edo eras, black pearly teeth was seen as attractive! Imagine that! Or even how their attraction to necks affected the way women dressed and the way kimonos were made- all to appeal to what Japan had found attractive at the time.

The social scrutiny of fashion, beauty standards, and people’s desires to fit in or be unique affects their obsession, and the length these people would go just to fit into those cookie cutter trends. This video- “Kids 20 years from now” (made 12 years ago!) satirizes the extremes of fashion and where people thought the trends were headed.

Another good example- Spider-Man (remember the hyphen guys!). This is the most popular character Marvel has- probably THE most popular character EVER! Personality, powers, and narrative aside, the biggest contributor to this fact is the iconic costume- the -fit,* if you will. And he doesn’t just have one outfit. No, no, no. There’s almost 80 costumes counting everything- comics, animated series, movies, etc.! Let me tell you- that’s not by accident either!

Let me say the quiet part out loud- I know some of us identify with our professions first and as marketers second, but I just want to plant a seed in your head- wouldn’t making your content marketable through every step of its lifespan a good thing? Don’t just make the story compelling and heart-moving, but everything in your story’s world, like music, clothing, foods, etc. can be a marketable extension of your intellectual property.

Now, I won’t sit here and tell you exactly what you should do- there are parts even I’m still trying to figure out. But what I’m saying is to consider all of your options. One day, I’d love to have merchandise foods or clothes or gadgets based off my own works.

Women assisting a young woman into her crinoline for her dress.- Wikipedia

Japan’s Erotic Neck Obsession- by Linfamy

The Fashion- Influence Funnel

Continue reading on MONTY's Substack!

Want to Read More?

Subscribe for free to receive new posts and support my work.

Want to Read More?

Help support our creative writer, MONTY who takes time and effort in researching and writing topics that teaches us the importance of fabrics in art of fashion.

If you enjoy what I do, consider supporting us on Ko-fi! Every little bit means the world!

Continue reading on MONTY's Substack!

EAG Creatives

© 2026. All rights reserved.