Hey, straight guys! I need some help here!

[Pab Sungenis]

Writing a scene in my new novel here. Here's the setup.

17 year old boy, picking up a 15 year old girl to take her to a school dance. Not a formal or anything, just a dance.

He knocks on the door, she answers, and the sight of her makes his heart melt.

What is she wearing?

I have absolutely zero experience in this area, and this sentence is keeping me from finishing the chapter. Please tell me. If you're the guy in that situation, what is she wearing (appropriate for a school dance) that turns you into a puddle of melted ice cream?

[HeresyLives]

1. As little as possible

in my experience.

But then what do I know, I'm female. :rofl:

[MrSlayer]

2. A duck costume.

Nothing says sexy like a chick in a duck costume.

[tanngrisnir3]

11. On a unicycle! Fucking hoedown at the boner ranch!

[sendero]

60. LO...

... freakin L :)

[Botany]

3. e.z.

she came to the door in levis, a white man's shirt, and some
"chunky & funky ear rings" that were of many colors ....
she kissed her dad on the cheek and grabbed steve's hand and
pulled him out the door.

[ContinentalOp]

21. A white man's shirt?

racist. :P

[Botany]

30. Please

[cherokeeprogressive]

62. If my daughter went to the door to greet her 17 yo BF like that, I'd kick her ass!

lol

[Botany]

66. a said levis too.

:rofl:

[sutz12]

103. "A man's white shirt"

It makes more sense and can't be misconstrued as racist.

:)

[SalmonChantedEvening]

4. The oufit she had on when he asked her to the dance.

He told her she looked SO nice in it, and she remembered.

:D

[HysteryDiagnosis]

5. A man's white shirt is a nice touch... sort of a reversal on this

ranching scene, see if you can work this in to the plot.....

A successful rancher died and left everything to his devoted wife.

She was a very good-looking woman and determined to keep the ranch, but
knew very little about ranching, so she decided to place an ad in the
newspaper for a ranch hand.

Two cowboys applied for the job. One was gay and the other a drunk.

She thought long and hard about it, and when no one else applied she
decided to hire the gay guy, figuring it would be safer to have him
around the house than the drunk.

He proved to be a hard worker who put in long hours every day and knew a
lot about ranching.

For weeks, the two of them worked, and the ranch was doing very well.
Then one day, the rancher's widow said to the hired hand,'You have done
a really good job, and the ranch looks great. You should go into town
and kick up your heels.' The hired hand readily agreed and went into
town one Saturday night.

One o'clock came, however, and he didn't return.. Two o'clock and
no hired hand.

Finally he returned around two-thirty, and upon entering the room, he
found the rancher's widow sitting by the fireplace with a glass of wine,
waiting for him. She quietly called him over to her.

'Unbutton my blouse and take it off, she said. Trembling, he did as she
directed. 'Now take off my boots.' He did as she asked, ever so slowly.
'Now take off my socks.' He removed each gently and placed them neatly
by her boots. 'Now take off my skirt.' He slowly u nbuttoned it,
constantly watching her eyes in the fire light.

'Now take off my bra.' Again, with trembling hands, he did as he was
told and dropped it to the floor. Then she looked at him and said, 'If
you ever wear my clothes into town again, you're fired.'

[bertman]

102. I kicked the slats out of my cradle the first time I heard that one, but I still laughed my

ass off this time too.


:rofl: :rofl:

[HysteryDiagnosis]

114. It really is too cute... first time for me in an email today... I split

a side over it.

[seabeyond]

6. son is asking, is she blonde or what. is she darker skin. is it beginning or end of year

ergo hotter. is it winter, therefore colder?????

[seabeyond]

13. son was taking your question seriously, trying to help out. with all the perverts

i had to send them off, and say no more.

they were a little disappointed in the "sick" (their word) adults in htis thread talking about a 15 yr old girl.

hm

[Pab Sungenis]

42. You know, it kills me.

I can churn out 3,500 words a day of violence, bullying, pranks, slapstick, and football, but one little romantic scene just crashes me into a brick wall.

Just goes to prove I shouldn't write romantic scenes. Only heart of a poet I have is in a jar of formaldehyde in the basement.

[seabeyond]

45. see

i would help you out but i am not at all romantic. hubby could do, lol.

[Pab Sungenis]

32. The scene is in early October.

Homecoming dance. Brown hair. A little shy and reserved. He's already fallen hard for her, and this is the moment that just seals the deal.

[seabeyond]

44. but but but.... he has a crush on a blonde. he has the outfit all picked out

hard for him to shift here.

with oct... he says

long sleeves knit green shirt, jeans.

but when he was telling me what the blonde should wear, he was really into a jean skirt... kept repeating jean skirt and a sweater of some sort.

thats teen

and a heart does to melt at 17, i have seen plenty. these guys are acting foolish. i have seen plenty of broken hearted 17 yr old boys

[Pab Sungenis]

52. Thank you, and thank him. That is perfect.

Never would have thought of a jean skirt. If it gets published I'll send you/him an autographed copy.

[seabeyond]

54. wink. you got it. go to work. n/t

[Brooklyns_Finest]

7. Whip cream (eom)

[Uben]

8. delete

no comment

[proud2BlibKansan]

9. That special hair moose from Something About Mary

:evilgrin:

[flvegan]

10. Hmmm...

that dress that she marveled at in the window of that little boutique. The one they walked by, hand in hand. She noticed it and remarked at the beauty, to wit he responded that the only way it could be more beautiful is if she were wearing it.

That would have worked for me. But then I'm a bleeding heart romantic. Of course my scenario means you're adding a scene to your book, so it's likely unusable.

[Buzz Clik]

12. I didn't start dating 15-year-old girls until I was well into my 30s.

So, I can't tell you what a 17-year-old looks for in jailbait.

[Skittles]

26. Buzz Clik scheduled for immediate remedial ass-kicking

[Xipe Totec]

14. If your focus is on the clothes, she's not all that interesting

The most beautiful feature a woman has are her eyes.

Especially, when those eyes focus their gaze on you.

You want a heart melt experience, there it is.

[seabeyond]

20. that was our conclusion... my oldest. first thing he said with

heart melts....

[Pab Sungenis]

36. I already dealt with the eyes.

He's already fallen for her, the first thing approaching real love he's ever felt. I just want the sight of her to knock him on his ass.

I could kick myself for promising my agent I could deliver a YA comedy in a month's time. Deadline is March 15th and the scene on her doorstep just brought me to a screeching halt.

[orleans]

89. homecoming dance and you're putting her in anything blue jeans?

not at my daughter's school!

homecoming: a long, slinky bronze dress, sweeping to the ground, shimmering under the front porch light. a spray of autumn leaves draping down on one side of a grecian crown wrapped in orange ribbons, that sat atop her long, auburn hair. her eyes sparkling with anticipation. she had never looked more perfect, more elegant. he could feel his heart melt as she smiled nervously--his autumn goddess. her arms were warm and welcoming as she wrapped them around him for only a moment. he looked at her again, in amazement and wonder--and reminded himself to breathe.

at least that was the scene at my house a few years back. but i must tell you--he adored my daughter--worshiped her. and they certainly had their "magical" moments. (they were together for 4 years)

[seabeyond]

90. the dance is beginning of oct..

i believe i read. not homecoming. but oooooh, i like you scene and the dress, lol

[orleans]

101. not homecoming? well, then...??? n/t

[alcibiades_mystery]

15. "The sight of her makes his heart melt"

No such thing for a 17 year-old. Only happens in the movies. The sight of her ass might his crotch tent, followed by numerous ingenius schemes to get her clothes off, but there is no on-sight "heart melting." That only happens after the fact, when you're drunk with your friends and you get in a fist-fight with one of them because you're all sloppy and saying "I don't give a fuck what you say, I love her," and he says, "Red Snaaaapper," and you're rolling around in the mud until your other friends break it up, laughing. Then, you think your "heart is melting." But never at the door. You're just worried that the father can see the condoms in your pocket, and the look in your eye.

[TahitiNut]

22. Well ... there's one exception.

If she was wearing the sports jersey of his (bigtime) sports hero. :silly:

Fashionably, of course.

[alcibiades_mystery]

25. Low cut in the front

Take the collar right off that fucker and push up the cleavage.

But it's still a stretch to call it a "heart melting" moment. ;-)

[TahitiNut]

27. Tie the shirt tails in front, baring her toned midriff.

Add slider shorts and you've got a baseball addict's attention. :bounce:

[ContinentalOp]

23. Yes, you hit the nail on the head here -nt-

[DireStrike]

38. Interesting passage, but that's not the way it happened for me when I was 17

I wasn't even attracted to her at first. She did make my heart melt though. But to tell the truth, the only clothing of hers I ever really noticed was this AWFUL purple overall-thingie. Awful.

I guess just something nicer than normal, or whatever clicks with the guy in the story's personality.

[Pab Sungenis]

55. Yeah, that's kind of a struggle, too.

One of the things that made him fall for her is that she's different from all the other girls he's bedded. This time it's for real and he can't cope with it.

[Pab Sungenis]

57. Thanks everyone....

...well, most of you any way. The ones who took it serious.

I'm gonna go grab a bottle of Coke and get back to my writing. Anyone who wants to follow my progress as I go along, follow my Twitter feed: "sungenis"

[ZombieHorde]

16. Glasses. Glasses on a lady are super sexy.

A small piercing on the side of the nose is often nice, but 15 may be young for such an accessory.

A snug necklace. Perhaps jade beads or laced cloth.

And again, glasses.

[Pab Sungenis]

37. Good. I've already established her glasses.

The kind that accent, not hide, the eyes. Lace cloth necklace is a beautiful idea. Thanks.

[jmowreader]

17. It's the WHO that melts your heart, not what she's wearing

I'd put her in a nice dress.

[TahitiNut]

24. I guess that shows how 17-year-olds have changed.

I'd take her OUT of a nice dress. :evilgrin:

[jmowreader]

95. That comes later

[TahitiNut]

18. Saran Wrap

:evilgrin:

[MajorChode]

112. I was thinking dental floss

But perhaps a saran wrap dress with dental floss straps would work.

[TXRAT2]

19. Her dad answers the door,,you crap your pant's.

He makes you sit on the couch and stares menacingly at you until she comes down. On the way out he point’s to a hole and pile of dirt in the yard and tells you to have a good time.

[orleans]

91. that's hysterical! n/t

[TheWraith]

28. Make it something simple.

Like a nice simple one piece dress. Anything too elaborate distracts from the rest of the scene, and as has been noted, the clothes don't really make the melting, they just help. And I'll contradict some of the other people, I think the smile is a much bigger deal than the eyes.

[madrchsod]

29. you tube the following..

hana montana,cheetah girls, and high school musical.....

[daninthemoon]

31. we don't care what she is wearing.

[treestar]

33. That is dictated by the straight guys

Just make it whatever you think is the sexiest! :rofl:

Straight women are the unluckiest creatures. They have no say! Bless you for even caring!

[Pab Sungenis]

50. Again

I have no experience in the area.

[JBoris]

34. You can't go wrong with a classic floral dress.

With her hair pinned up so that a couple of locks fall neatly beside her face.
Whatever you do don't mention shoes. Straight men never notice a girl's shoes (unless he's one of those gross foot-obsessed types).

[seabeyond]

47. i was thinking a summer dress, flowing ect too.... but then i am a woman

so didnt want to interfer, lol. got my son

[Orrex]

35. She's wearing Bjork's swan dress, of course

Color me melted!

[petronius]

39. Black leggings, a baggy off-the-shoulder shirt, big gold hoops, and a frothy up-do

What can I say - I was 17 in the 80s... :rofl:

[seabeyond]

49. lol lol lol. that is cute....

[zipplewrath]

40. Not enough info

It really depends upon the kid and why he likes the girl. You've got a 17 year old with a 15 year old. Is he looking to take advantage of her? Is he the class nerd that got a younger girl to go with him? Is this some old friends that are changing the nature of their relationship? Team mates? Maybe from Quiz bowl or something? It's the nature of the relationship and the nature of the surprise that is going to define this scene. Is her appearance a surprise, or a dream fulfilled? Was this a blind date? If your plot line has room for it, she could merely be wearing a hair clip, necklace, bracelet, whatever that he had given her, especially some time in the past such that he wasn't even sure she would remember. Alternately, she could NOT be wearing something significant such as a gift from a previous boyfriend, or some childish thing that always embarrassed him a bit (some Cracker Jack ring or something). It could just be a blouse or something they saw together in the mall that she thought was "dumb" and he thought was pretty. Basically what you are looking for is something that communicates approval TO him FROM her.

[Pab Sungenis]

48. It's REALLY hard to explain without explaining my entire plot.

He's 17, she thinks he's 15. He's been a jock asshole all his life, but she sees him as an outcast and a bit of a nerd. He's smitten with her, and she is the one who asked him out.

I don't want to go into too much detail about the plot quite yet, not until it's in the agent's and editor's hands. Especially with some of the folks who trawl this board from outside who like to make people's lives miserable.

[zipplewrath]

116. Okay, but it goes to underlying motivation

Either she opens the door and all of his hopes were confirmed/fulfilled, or he sees something unexpected and positive. The nature of that will depend upon his expectations (or lack thereof) and/or the reasons SHE chose to appear that way. Maybe she's wearing his jersey (he's a jock) or letter jacket. A typical modern football jersey has a certain "mesh" quality that would result in a nice sexual connotation when worn with a lace bra underneath. Just enough tease and all. She thinks he's 15, and she's the dominant personality here, so if she tries to appear "older" it could instantly make him feel much better. In the scenario you're describing, that alone could result in a strong positive reaction on his part. He was smitten, but a touch embarrassed to go with her because his friends must know how old she is. Now he can be proud of taking her, and vindicated in accepting her invitation. Maybe she's wearing something she doesn't normally (low cut tight jeans let's say) that a friend of his claimed she could/would never wear.

The point really is that you're looking for some "straight" stereotype for this moment and to some degree there isn't one. Straight relationships and interactions are as complicated as gay ones and all the same stimuli apply. Hope, expecation, risk, fear, leading towards despair or fulfillment. The images themselves aren't nearly as important as the underlying explanation of what those images express. "Melting" ones heart comes from images that are personally important, not just some standard sexual image.

[dysfunctional press]

41. what is the year?

lots of differences in styles.
and i haven't been 17 in 30 years.

[Pab Sungenis]

43. 2009

but you might call her an old soul. A little old fashioned. A little prim, and rather shy.

He's an asshole dealing with real love for the first time.

[Emit]

56. Here, try these - soft sweaters, colorful shirt, jeans if it's casual, slacks if it's dressier

According to my teen, not many 15 yo's wear fancy dresses to casual dances. The ballet slipper shoes are popular, now, too, and can add a sophisticated touch to a teen with an old soul.

[NMDemDist2]

63. Ok then, she should be wearing form fitting, but not tight black slacks

and a short sleeved sweater that hits her hip just at the curve, her hair is up with just a couple wisps down her neck and strappy flat sandals *but as noted above, straight men don't notice shoes, I'm just helping you see the look*

it's almost a Mary Tyler Moore from the Dick Van Dyke show look

[Ghost in the Machine]

46. high heels and bobbie socks with a skirt and white button up shirt..

:hi:

[aikoaiko]

51. A white spaghetti strap or halter top sun dress.

:applause:

[seabeyond]

53. you are just thinking one string to pull on that dress

wink... lol

[defendandprotect]

81. You have my vote --

[Generic Brad]

58. Who cares?

Just look at those eyes. I'm lost at eye contact.

[LanternWaste]

59. Another vote for the sundress...

Seconds on the sundress...

because I'm remembering a particular first date when I was sixteen, and my heart did indeed melt.

[Spazito]

61. How about this...

If her eyes are blue, a sapphire blue velvet dress with a rounded neckline (a little cleavage or not as you wish, ending above the knee but not too short, long sleeves, form-fitting, flattering without being too tight (she's shy) with a lace choker. If eyes green, same dress in green velvet.

Classy but also very sexy in a shy way.

or this

A short kilt skirt, form-fitting white sweater with a sweetheart neckline.

[GinaMaria]

64. straight woman but this might help

Nordstrom Prom Shop
http://shop.nordstrom.com/C/6022409/0~2376776~2374327~6022409?mediumthumbnail=Y&origin=leftnav&pbo=2374327

Also look at BCBG
http://www.bcbg.com/family/index.jsp?categoryId=2840697&cp=2769162&clickid=top_nav_dresses

H and M
http://www.hm.com/us/inspiration/dressingroom__dressingroom2.nhtml The pink strapless is cute for a more casual dance.

How about the Calvin Klein Cross back or the Evan Picone Flowing Gorgette dress?
http://www1.macys.com/catalog/index.ognc?CategoryID=20367&PageID=87478735704027


Another question to ask yourself is what is her character like? Is she more punk, sassy, classy, princess? Whatever she wears would be an extension of her character.

[GinaMaria]

80. found this too

really cute, Fall floral print yet sheer with a denim jacket and leather boots. Sexy but sweet

http://www1.macys.com/catalog/product/index.ognc?ID=342526&CategoryID=40138&LinkLoc=16904&LinkType=SiteAd&AdID=504157

[Hello_Kitty]

65. A t shirt that says Fuck Fascist Corporate Beauty Standards?

:shrug:

[omega minimo]

70. or a vintage dress and Chuck Taylors.....

:bounce: :bounce:

[omega minimo]

67. Nipples

this is a Lounge thread

[cherokeeprogressive]

68. "A short skirt and a lonnnng jacket......"

http://www.azlyrics.com/lyrics/cake/shortskirtlongjacket.html

[scheming daemons]

69. A sweater that is a size or two too tight

[omega minimo]

71. like I said...

:eyes:

[Brooklyns_Finest]

72. When I was 17

I probably would not be looking at her dress or her eyes. I would be looking at the contour of her breast in the dress and the shape of her ass. Afterwords, I would set my eyes on her lips, in the hopes that she would use it on me (an not for kissing).

[Double T]

73. thong and a smile.

[xchrom]

74. don't ask guys -- ask women --

they know the answer to your question.

[LooseWilly]

75. My solution...

He doesn't even notice what she's wearing. He's so smitten by her that the dress (or whatever) goes unnoticed. Instead he notices her smile, and a little bit of brussel sprout or something that's caught in her teeth... and if you're feeling kind, the something is gone the second time she smiles, saving him the trouble of mentioning it (or daydreaming about ways to help her out of her dilemma, because, damn it, he likes her so darned much...).

Unless some part of the following scenes (at the dance) bring the clothing into focus, forget about it.

Of course, I'm not known for being kind to my own characters. And I've never much believed in school dances (I exerted extreme effort to convince myself it was all a bad dream, even when I relented and attended them...)

[Iggo]

76. Delete.

Wrong spot. (I keep doing that.)

[LooseWilly]

77. ?

Did I go to a dance with you?...

[LooseWilly]

79. Charlene !!!!

:cry:

[Iggo]

85. .

:rofl:

[orleans]

92. i am literally laughing my ass off at your Brussels sprout comment

i can just imagine hundreds of 13 year old girls, curled up in bed reading this book, reading the bit about the teeth & Brussels sprouts and screaming in horrified disgust, tossing the book across the room, fantasies dashed--they turn out the light, put the pillow over their head to try and rid themselves of the image, and have nightmares about everyone laughing at them when they show up in school wearing their bunny slippers and dora pj's.

[LooseWilly]

99. Hehe.. on the other hand...

leave the brussel sprout... and have the guy fantasizing throughout the date, trying to plan out how he'll use it as an excuse for a kiss... to clean her teeth for her...

Brussel sprout bits in the teeth will become a come-on signal for tweens... and the brussel sprout farmers of America will be saved from the economic downturn by the sudden fad of girls wanting to have brussel sprouts always on hand- "just in case".
And girl health will be improved with a single stroke of the fad-pen!!

All will be well, or at least better, with the world... and young boys will be a fraction less awkward when they make their moves.

Give her braces too, and you might even be able to sell Dental Council ads in the middle of the book...

[orleans]

100. stop it! you're killing me!

"Give her braces too, and you might even be able to sell Dental Council ads in the middle of the book... "

:rofl: :rofl: :spray: :rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[LooseWilly]

104. The wonders of shopping for books in used book stores...

I found some old ones with ads in the middle.
I personally wanted to see if I could get whiskey ads in the middle of some I wrote... but I don't have the connections... and I'm not sure if it's legal these days... (www.smartasspress.com and yes, that's a real site...).

Heh, the funny part is, I thought about the question, and realized I really had no idea about the school dance thing... so I just dodged the issue.

On the other hand... vegetable matter being caught in braces is an all too real- and all too serious - issue for children today. Please, parents... if your teen has braces, be sure to allow them to go out with the sorts of fellow children who will be willing to suck that chromework clean...
And while that cleaning work is being done, might I recommend a stiff highball of Kessler, on the rocks. It is, after all, smoother than silk...

[Iggo]

78. There's nothing I can say here...

...that would not sound (and be) the height of pevishness.

And so I abstain.

(You should really ask a bunch of 17 year old guys. No nostalgia involved.)

[Motown_Johnny]

82. you need to foreshadow. Put a scene in earlier of some female sex symbol on TV or in a movie

and describe the outfit.

Then when the male lead picks up the female lead she will be wearing something similar to the sex symbol's outfit.


You can go almost anywhere with this depending on the characters, there is no right answer. A goth kid and a cowboy type will have very different ideas of the perfect outfit.

If forced to make a suggestion I would consider writing in a scene where the 17 year old boy watches an old movie from the 60s or one of the Austin Powers movies, then have the girl in some type of retro miniskirt and go go boots kinda thing. (maybe scan a movie or 2 till you see something you like)

[704wipes]

83. Well, if it's the Hearts Hop that she asked HIM to take her to...

She is wearing a dark blue velvet or velveteen dress that is soooo smooth to the touch. And it fits her tight, and even though she is small busted it makes her bumps nice, and it is like a mini too so lots of her legs show. And she sits with him for a while in her parents station wagon before they go into the dance,,, and...ok, next.

[LaydeeBug]

84. What does your young laydee look like?

Brunette, I want her in a pale pink halter dress. But if she's blonde, I want her in a lavender one.

Like this one:



This one is teal, but would still work for a regular dance:

[defendandprotect]

86. Not a prom . . .OK . .. as a female, I think it would be something 1950's . . .

look in the stores right now and that's what is going on ---

ballerina shoes ---

October . . . light knit dress --- a beautiful fall blue - neckline of yourchoice:

mock turtle/slightly off shoulder/a modest sweetheart heart scoop neckline ---

3/4 sleeves -- wide fabric belt -- full skirt -- ballerina shoes.


A lot of the clothing for young girls now and even for older young females is kinda

slutwear.

Back to the 1950's? Think Natalie Wood in "Rebel Without a Cause" ---

Ann Margaret in the 1950's movies ---

Any 1950's movies --

[TheFarseer]

87. a beautiful red dress that shows off her boobs a little

and she has her hair done really pretty, like wore up and curled or something. Hope that helps!

[LaydeeBug]

88. Or this:

[orleans]

93. nice dresses. n/t

[LaydeeBug]

96. thanks. Looks like it's a little less formal though.

we need a fashion forum.

[unkachuck]

94. pearls....

[Missy Vixen]

97. I'm a romance author. I can help.

It's not so much what she's wearing (and a teenage girl will wear a dress or vintage outfit to a homecoming dance,) it's what's going on in your scene.

Let's focus on the five senses, for instance. Yes, I realize that seventeen-year-old boys are one big hormone, but I have to believe they've noticed things their father did for their mother, or the way they treat women while at a special occasion. You've covered what she looks like. What does she smell like? Is she wearing perfume? Does she skip it, or does she wear something like a faintly scented lotion? Does he get close enough to smell her hair, or touch it? What does that feel like to him? Are her palms cool and dry when he takes her hand, or is she nervous like he is? What does it sound like when she laughs -- is it hesitant, or does she laugh freely?

I could go on all day, but one of the things pounded into our head over and over is "show, don't tell". What's going on with the two of them, especially him? How does it feel for him to look at her? If you're writing in third person, how does it feel for her to see him? She must know he likes her; is she thrilled, or is she just a little nervous?

When you're writing a love scene, it's good to remember what it was like, even if it was years ago. I still remember the first dance at my senior prom, for instance. The guy in question was a school friend. I wasn't romantically interested in him. At the same time, I was intrigued by his self-assurance. He didn't act the same as the other seventeen-year-olds in the room, and that was enough to make me wonder what he knew, and I didn't.

Good luck on your deadline!

[Pab Sungenis]

105. Thanks, Missy.

I already had all of the emotion planned out, their interaction, how he would feel, how she would feel, all I really needed was an idea of what she would wear.

Never having been in that position myself, I decided to seek out suggestions from those who had.

[upi402]

98. A feminine dress

the duck costume goes on AFTER

[DavidDvorkin]

106. It doesn't matter what she's wearing. He's 17.

[chollybocker]

107. She's wearing the cheap ring he gave her (as a joke), 5 or 6 years ago

on a chain around her neck.

[Pab Sungenis]

108. For those who are curious....

I decided to work the informality of her dress, and its usually being inappropriate for homecoming as some here have argued, into the plot. Actually mixed in with my story well. Thanks for the mini-debate.

Here's what I finally arrived at:

She was wearing a long sleeved white men’s shirt, almost exactly like his own, with a green knit polo shirt pulled over top of it. Beneath that was a blue denim skirt that descended to her knees and rested upon her hips as if held up by nothing more than sheer will power and God’s own adhesive tape.

[omega minimo]

109. thank god that's over.

[NuttyFluffers]

110. if you want authenticity, don't include that. most straight guys can't tell, let alone care

keep it vague.

from the girl's perspective you may lavish all the attention and scheming you want. but keep a few tricks simple, like "hair out of the face," "light on the make up; not used to using it", "some very light perfume at the back of the neck and hair, or a fragrant shampoo", "fitted clothes that shows her development into a woman".

seriously, ask most straight guys about what their first love was wearing on their first big date -- madness. it's not the sort of details that really registers.

i still stand by the notion that women dress for other women, mostly. that's who pays attention and where they choose to compete socially. a straight man might barely register "red dress, high heels" if that. they just are not allowed to train in the language of fashion, let alone care.

the reason why your character is coming up blank is because the whole thing is contrived and rings false. erase and try again, have the boy avoid thinking about clothes and more about silhouette, face, eyes, a bit more skin visible, 'more available while still coy' body language, y'know, things a 17 year old boy would think about.

[EFerrari]

111. That's right. He doesn't know what she's wearing. n/t

[TWiley]

113. wearing only a blush .... oh, and cellophane too.

sorry, I just could not resist ...

[harun]

115. Not about the clothes. Noticing she has more up top than you have ever noticed

before and it is displayed nicely is a big one.