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->''"In real life, you can't judge a book by its cover, but in fiction that is what the cover is there for."''
-->-- '''Red''', ''WebAnimation/OverlySarcasticProductions'', "Trope Talk: Are We The Baddies?"

The appearance of people used as a way to convey information about them.

As humans are very visual creatures, the easiest way to gain insight into a person's being is to simply take in their appearance. A person's physical features as well as their clothing can give the audience cues to their personality, morality, and their social status among other things. Attributes like color or what type of traits/clothing the character has can also add additional symbolism. The meaning of the particular features the person has or the clothes they wear can be something that has cultural significance in the real world or something that has importance in the work's universe.

Even when characters are wearing costumes or disguises, we can still visibly ascertain things about their fake identities.

{{Foreshadowing}} can also be done this way.

Of course these tropes aren't always revealing, and some writers will use these just to [[SubvertedTrope bait and switch]] the audience.

Compare AstonishinglyAppropriateAppearance, {{Exposition}} (when information is given through dialog), MeaningfulName.

See also NoticeThis.

Contrast FanWank, EveryoneIsJesusInPurgatory (when there is no in-story or WordOfGod statement that the appearance is indeed meaningful).
----
[[foldercontrol]]
[floatboxright:
Related:
+ ColorCodedForYourConvenience:\\
Colors convey information about many things.
+ GoodAndEvilForYourConvenience:\\
Various ways to tell the heroes and villains.
]
[[index]]
[floatboxright:
Categories:
+ CharacteristicClothingColors:\\
Color palettes reveal personality.
+ ExpositoryHairstyles:\\
A hairstyle can be worth a thousand words of {{infodump}}ing.
+ GoodGuysGarb:\\
These clothes let you know who to root for.
+ ObviouslyEvil:\\
The writers want you to know who the bad guys are ASAP.
+ OpulentOutfits\\
Obviously wealthy outfits.
+ VillainousFashionSense:\\
These clothes let you know who to boo and hiss.
]
!!Things the audience can tell, whether it's certain or likely, from looking at hair, clothing, eyes, hands, etc.

[[folder:Clothing/Costumes and Accessories]]
* AdventurerOutfit: These people are going to an exotic place to do something extraordinary.
* ArmoredVillainsUnarmoredHeroes: You can tell who is evil because they actually want to protect their bodies when in battle. [[WebVideo/BrandonsCultMovieReviews The fiends!]]
* BadassesWearBandanas: Wearing a bandanna shows one is at least trying to look tough.
* BadJobWorseUniform: You work at a minimum wage job, and dress like it too.
* BankruptcyBarrel: A barrel is free clothing when you have no money.
* BarefootLoon: [[{{Cloudcuckoolander}} Eccentrics]] and crazy people often go barefoot in public because they are either flouting societal conventions or are simply oblivious to them.
* BarefootSage: Sages, mentors and enlightened characters frequently eschew footwear for reasons of religious asceticism, [[EarthyBarefootCharacter connection to nature]], or because [[EccentricMentor they're too wise to care about social conventions]].
* BattleBallgown: A lady in an armored dress, so she knows how to fight wearing it.
* BattleStrip: You're taking your clothes off? You are definitely taking this fight seriously.
* BlatantBurglar: You're dressed to steal, not to be inconspicuous.
* BlindPeopleWearSunglasses: Sunglasses used as a visual shorthand for blindness.
* BlingOfWar: For people who think victory starts with a good tailor.
* BloodSplatteredWeddingDress: Clearly the wedding went south in some manner.
* BoyishShorts: Young boys wear shorts to display their youth and/or immaturity.
* BrownBagMask: One didn't have the time and/or means to find or make a good disguise.
* CasualSportsJersey: You must really like that team, or once played on it.
* ChestInsignia: Yes, the picture on your pectoral area makes it clear you have superpowers of some kind.
* ClassyCravat: This character's old fashioned clothing items show one has old fashioned values and graces.
* ClothingReflectsPersonality: Personal attitudes can affect dress.
* CoatOverTheShoulder: This character is sophisticated, but in a relaxed manner.
* ColorCodedPatrician: The leader wears a distinct color from the rest.
* CommissarCap: A hat that screams "Tyrannical Leadership".
* ConsistentClothingStyle: A specific way of dress that distinguishes a character.
* ConspicuousGloves: When you don't typically see gloves, them being worn is important.
* ConspicuousTrenchcoat: What's this person hiding under that?
* CoolCrown: Nine times out of ten, you're looking at royalty, or at least high nobility.
* CoordinatedClothes: Two or more people match clothes to emphasize their togetherness.
* CostumeEvolution: Looks like the costume designer decided to mix things up... and there has likely been significant changes for the character.
* CostumePorn: The clothing budget, or animation budget if drawn, isn't being held back. That and the characters are really showing off their wealth
* CrownOfHorns: Don't expect a gentle or timid monarch.
* CultureEqualsCostume: Fashion makes a quick geography lesson.
* CuteOversizedSleeves: The wearer has these big sleeves to showcase how adorable they are.
* CustomUniform: That outfit stands out. Keep your eyes on it.
* DashinglyDapperDerby: Only the most charmingly suave wear those hats in fiction. Unless...
* DastardlyDapperDerby: Okay, even villains can be suave when wearing bowlers.
* DeadHatShot: The wearer is gone, or [[SubvertedTrope the writers just want to psyche us out]].
* DorkInASweater: The wearer may or may not be attractive, but certainly won't be an asskicker.
* DreadlockWarrior: Dreadlocks + Looking peaceful or contemplative = Asskicker.
* DressCodedForYourConvenience: Each side dresses in distinctive ways (whether it's due to uniforms or other reasons).
* DressedToHeal: Trust me, I dress like a doctor.
* DressesTheSame: One of them is going to insist that the other will have to go home and change.
* DressHitsFloor: If the character isn't naked, she will be as soon as the underwear hits the floor.
* EarthyBarefootCharacter: Characters who have a spiritual connection to nature (or just rural characters) usually enjoy going barefoot. The NatureHero, BarbarianHero, NobleSavage, HotGypsyWoman, JunglePrincess and TarzanBoy are almost always barefoot.
* EmptyPilesOfClothing: The wearers either disappeared quickly and peacefully, or disappeared horribly.
* ErmineCapeEffect: The writers, er, royals, feel appearance matters over practicality.
* EvilCostumeSwitch: Someone just did a FaceHeelTurn.
* EvilWearsBlack: If one is wearing black, and it's not [[MovieSuperheroesWearBlack a superhero film]], that person is likely a villain.
* ExpressiveAccessory: In cases where characters aren't showing their feelings, their clothing accessories will.
* ExpressiveMask: Same as above, but for masks.
* ExpressiveShirt: Again, but for a FunTShirt.
* EyepatchAfterTimeSkip: If one is from the future, one of the key things to look for first is an eyepatch. Then you know the future may not be a good one.
* EyepatchOfPower: However they got them, don't mess with these characters.
* FairytaleWeddingDress: The bride, or whoever paid for the dress, just wanted a classic look for the wedding.
* FashionBasedRelationshipCue: What you wear indicates what kind of relationship you're in, and possibly what you're into as well.
* FeatherBoaConstrictor: This character has a tough streak.
* FluffyFashionFeathers: The fancier the plumes being worn, the more wealthy and/or powerful the buyer.
* ForcedIntoTheirSundayBest: If they don't look happy, they didn't dress this way willingly.
* FramesOfReference: The type of glasses can tell you about characters.
* FrillyUpgrade: A MagicalGirl just got a power upgrade.
* FutureSpandex: These outfits show this isn't our normal world.
* GasMaskMooks: Fear the wearers more than whatever their masks are supposed to protect them from (if there is even a reason they are wearing those).
* GenderedOutfit: You can tell the sex of the wearer... in the cases where it's not immediately obvious otherwise.
* GenuineHumanHide: Wearing skin shows the person may not be fully sane.
* GloveSlap: This person believes in gentlemanly confrontation.
* GloveSnap: This character is about to need those gloves, for whatever is about to be done.
* GoGoEnslavement: She's wearing significantly less. If we didn't already know she was captured, we would now.
* GoingFurASwim: Someone is trying to dress sexy, and sybaritic.
* GoodCostumeSwitch: Someone just did a HeelFaceTurn.
* GracefulLadiesLikePurple: She'll be feminine, but not as girly as one wearing pink.
* GratuitousUseOfTheTallit: Someone's being actively Jewish, and not just [[InformedJudaism telling us they're Jewish]].
* HalloweenCostumeCharacterization: On Halloween or other costume events, the choice of costume reflects the wearer's personality.
* HandwrapsOfAwesome: Because wearing full gloves (even just fabric instead of padded boxing gloves) is for wimps.
* HappyHarlequinHat: Here comes the king's ButtMonkey.
* HappyHolidaysDress: This lady wants to both look her best, and be seasonally appropriate.
* HatOfAuthority: A distinctive, but important looking, hat? Must be someone in charge.
* HawaiianShirtedTourist: This guy on vacation is not going to set the best example for his home country.
* HazmatSuit: Everyone in the area had either be wearing this suit, or have good PlotArmor.
* HeadphonesEqualIsolation: Someone is using music to "[[Music/EddieArnold Make the world go away]]".
* HelmetsAreHardlyHeroic: No helmet means a good, and important, character.
* HerBoyfriendsJacket: She's wearing something from him, and he wouldn't have given it to her if they weren't stepping up their relationship.
* HereditaryWeddingDress: A bride wears a wedding dress to honour her mother.
* HighClassFan: Used by noble ladies to give them an air of elegance and sophistication.
* HighClassGlass: It's the eyeglasses equivalent of a finely tailored suit.
* HighClassGloves: The wearer is covering all the bases in looking properly fashionable. This goes double if the work is taking place after TheSixties.
* HighCollarOfDoom: High collar? Likely a villain. And if more than one character is wearing a high collar, then the most sinister looking collar belongs to the villain.
* HighlyConspicuousUniform: We need to see soldiers, even if the scene calls for them not being visible.
* HoboGloves: Badly worn, fingerless gloves as a signifier of crushing poverty.
* HomemadeSweaterFromHell: Did Bob just get handed a tacky sweater? He's gonna have to wear it.
* HornyVikings: Nothing says "Norse badass" like HollywoodCostuming.
* HyperspaceHolmesHat: The Cuckoolander is about to try to play detective.
* IconicOutfit: You only have to see the outfit first to know the character.
* ImpossiblyTackyClothes: If the character doesn't like the outfit, we're likely not supposed to either.
* JacobMarleyApparel: Gives us a clue to what happened with the ghost in life.
* JewelersEyeLoupe: If this is the first thing we see, we know the character has a profession covered by this trope.
* KiddyCoveralls: Kids wear overalls to keep clean and be rambunctious.
* KimonoIsTraditional: Wearing this outfit shows the character's old fashioned values.
* LabcoatOfScienceAndMedicine: We know that character is either one of these professions.
* LadyInAPowerSuit: This lady is smart and tough, as well as dresses smart and tough.
* LadyInRed: Older work? Woman is wearing bright red? She's gonna be hitting on someone.
* LampshadeWearing: Someone had one drink too many.
* LittleBlackDress: This lady believes in timeless and SimpleYetOpulent elegance.
* LivingMoodRing: When a character's appearance changes to reflect their emotions.
* LosingAShoeInTheStruggle: If the character's lives weren't in danger, they'd go back and get it. So clearly things are serious.
* MagicalBarefooter: Characters with magical powers sometimes go barefoot — this may be because they need contact with the soil for their powers, because they are invulnerable to injury or soiling, to demonstrate their lack of interest in social conventions, or to demonstrate their "higher being" status.
* MalevolentMaskedMen: The more the mask covers, the more dangerous the wearer.
* ManInAKilt: This is a true Scotsman.
* ManOfWealthAndTaste: He's well dressed, but in a sinister way. Villain.
* MartialArtistsAreAlwaysBarefoot: Martial artists are often portrayed as being habitually barefoot even in non-combat situations.
* MartialArtsHeadband: It's like wearing a black belt, but also visible for closeups.
* TheMenInBlack: The suit and the shades, combined with a certain air about them, let you know a conspiracy's afoot.
* MysticalHighCollar: High collar, and this person has an exotic flair? Likely a wizard.
* NakedNutter: No clothes = crazy.
* NemeanSkinning: Someone just killed a dangerous beast, and wants everyone to see it.
* NubileSavage: We can tell this character because she dresses like she had to make her FurBikini herself, but her BeautyIsNeverTarnished.
* OminousOperaCape: This garment helps show that the villain has sophistication and style.
* OverallsAndGingham: We see characters like this, we know it's farmland.
* ParasolOfPrettiness: She's carrying a parasol, so she's elegant, graceful, and demure.
* PauperPatches: We know the characters are in almost as bad a situation as they'd be if they were [[BankruptcyBarrel wearing a barrel]].
* PeltsOfTheBarbarian: Those furs are less about showing off wealth than how many skulls you can break with your axe.
* PimpDuds: Those distinctive coats and hats let us know that he's about to hook some characters up with some booty.
* PimpedOutCape: Someone wants to show off wealth, and in a regal manner (whether royalty or not).
* PimpedOutDress: A lady is very wealthy, or knows someone who is... or knows a FairyGodmother, and this lady doesn't want to dress simply.
* PinkIsErotic: The appearance of pink means that something erotic or sexual is about to happen or be alluded to.
* PinkMeansFeminine: She's wearing pink? Then she's a GirlyGirl.
* PlagueDoctor: Things are not going well in ye olden days.
* PleaseKeepYourHatOn: If they never take their hat off, they may be hiding something.
* PostApocalypticGasmask: It's AfterTheEnd, and things are still dangerous outside.
* PostApunkalypticArmor: Gangs in the future can't [[Series/MysteryScienceTheater3000 just get Beyond Thunderdome]] when it comes to fashion choices.
* PosthumanNudism: Superhumans often go naked to demonstrate that they're above physical discomfort and social conventions.
* PrettyInMink: The fancier the fur garment(s) being worn, the more wealthy and/or powerful the buyer.
* PrincessesPreferPink: If she's wearing a tiara, and her poofy dress is pink, she's no mere BlueBlood.
* PuttingOnTheReich: If the fashion looks fascist, so are the people.
* QuirkyGirlQuirkyTux: If a female is wearing a slightly jaunty tuxedo or dinner jacket, she's probably a bit crazy.
* RainbowPimpGear: The game developers put different desirable bonuses on many varied clothing items.
* RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver: This combination is rarely for the good guys.
* RedHotMasculinity: Macho men often wear red.
* RequisiteRoyalRegalia: Their very purpose is to visually indicate royalty.
* RingOnANecklace: A character is wearing a ring on a necklace rather than their finger for some important reason.
* RobeAndWizardHat: Even the audience would instantly say "[[Franchise/HarryPotter You're a wizard, Harry]]", if he wore these.
* RoughOveralls: Overalls tell you a character's a WorkingClassHero or [[OverallsAndGingham a farmer]].
* ScaryShinyGlasses: What kind of monster wears glasses that reflect light so well?
* SignatureHeadgear: A character's headgear makes them stand out as well as give them a little bit of personality. Up
* SeashellBra: Even before seeing the fishtail, we can tell she's a mermaid if she has clamshells over her chest.
* SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains: Only the good dress modestly. [[UnfortunateImplications This goes double for women]].
* SexDressed: Even skipping the love scene, we know it happened thanks to this.
* SexyShirtSwitch: Another way we can tell someone had sex, even without showing the sex.
* SexySweaterGirl: She may be attractive, but she likely won't flaunt it.
* ShabbyHeroesWellDressedVillains: We know the bad guys are vain, while the heroes are too busy trying to save the world, to worry about looking their best.
* SignificantWardrobeShift: You changed your IconicOutfit? It likely was for a plot or characterization reason.
* SinisterShades: Only a villain would wear shades in a creepy manner.
* StaffOfAuthority: Carrying a staff as a symbol of office or authority.
* StillWearingTheOldColors: This character is holding on to something in the past.
* StockCostumeTraits: The traits of a character's costume can convey a lot of information about a character.
* StylishSunhats: A lady with a sunhat is a fashionista or someone important.
* SuitUpOfDestiny: Your new clothes indicate the first act is nearly over.
* SuspiciousSkiMask: Whoever wears this is probably a criminal. Maybe they just want to keep their face warm, but unlikely.
* SukhomlinovEffect: You can bet on the winning side from clothing alone.
* SymbolMotifClothing: Spamming clothes with certain symbols means the wearer wants people to know what the symbol represents.
* ThemedTattoos: Characters' tattoos share a common theme or appearance that carries a specific meaning to them.
* TomboyishBaseballCap: Would a girly girl wear such a hat (if it wasn't pink)?
* ToplessnessFromTheBack: If the back is nude, so is the front.
* ToughSpikesAndStuds: Tough guys and gals wears clothing or accessories with spikes and/or studs.
* TrueBlueFemininity: She will still be feminine, but more serene than with pink and purple.
* UndeadBarefooter: Undead characters (ghosts, vampires, zombies, mummies) are often barefoot as a way to let the viewer know there's something off about them (especially if they look human otherwise). This may be because they no longer feel pain or cold, or just because [[BarefootSuicide they died]] or were buried without shoes.
* WardrobeFlawOfCharacterization: Showing something about a character's personality via giving their clothes a small imperfection.
* WhipOfDominance: Carrying a whip as a symbol of dominance, control, authority, or sadism.
* WhiteAndRedAndEerieAllOver: Color combination for creepiness.
* WhiteIsPure: When a character wears white to reflect how they are morally pure and obsessed with being clean.
* WidowsWeeds: All black, but not a villain? Her husband likely died.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:General]]
* AngelFaceDemonFace: When a mon's or familiar's appearance is based on the morality of their owner.
* BeautyEqualsGoodness: Only bad people are ugly.
* BraidsBeadsAndBuckskins: We may not be looking at the most nuanced portrayal of a Native American here.
* ChromaticArrangement: If they are color-themed, they are in a group.
* ColorCodedCharacters: You can use colors to tell them apart.
* DistinctiveAppearances: Giving characters unique character design elements to make them stand out.
* DualityMotif: Dual aspects of characters can show in their appearances.
* EvilMakesYouUgly: A FaceHeelTurn can sap your beauty.
* EarnedStripes: The writers finally decided to change things up for this character... and this character earned a promotion.
* FlashyProtagonistsBlandExtras: Major characters look distinctly different from extras.
* FullFrontalAssault: Someone going into battle this way may best be avoided if you can.
* GoodColorsEvilColors: Good and Evil have made their choice... of who uses which colors.
* GroupIdentifyingFeature: Members of a group can be determined by a feature on their clothes, hair, bodies, etc.
* MarkOfTheSupernatural: Something special about their appearance marks them as supernatural. Hair color, eye color, facial markings, whatever.
* PowerMakeover: Their appearance changed, so clearly they got stronger.
* PsychoticSmirk: The show doesn't want any ambiguity over whether this person is evil.
* UglyHeroGoodLookingVillain: Sometimes beauty doesn't equal goodness.
* VisualDevelopment: When character's appearance changes to reflect story/character development.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Physical Traits]]
* AndroidIdentifier: Unnaturally colored hair or skin, barcodes or tattoos mark someone as an artificial human or android.
* AloofDarkHairedGirl: Pretty + Tall + Dark Hair = Distant Personality.
* BaldHeadOfToughness: Baldness used to reinforce the idea that the character is physically, mentally (or both) strong or resilient.
* BaldOFAuthority: Bald = authoritative.
* BaldOfEvil: No hair on the head + Sinister expressions = He's evil.
* BaldMystic: Bald = spiritual.
* BarbarianLonghair: Long, unkempt hair means he's from less civilized lands... and will likely kick your butt.
* BeardOfEvil; What kind of sick monster would actually trim his beard, instead of either shaving it all off, or not shaving it at all?
* BigAnimeEyes: A character with big and expressive eyes like in {{anime}}, where this is an omnipresent trope.
* BraidsOfBarbarism: Real warriors have no time to cut or style their hair.
* BurnScarsBurningPowers: Severe burns indicate the person has fire-related powers.
* CarpetOfVirility: A man's chest hair underscores his masculinity.
* ChildishBangs: She's either a little girl or she acts like one.
* ClaimedByTheSupernatural: That brand on you was caused by something paranormal? There could be many causes, but all are important and significant.
* ColorCodedEyes: Eye color used to symbolize a character's personality, powers, or allegiance.
* ComicallyCrossEyed: Crossed eyes are a sure sign that someone is TheDitz or a {{Cloudcuckoolander}}.
* CreepyHairlessAnimal: Hairless and featherless animals are ominous.
* DiseaseBleach: You can tell that stress really got to them.
* DistinguishingMark: A mark/scar/birthmark that distinguishes a character.
* DrearyHalfLiddedEyes: A character's half-closed eyes distinguish them as sarcastic, smug, lascivious, or constantly tired.
* EeriePaleSkinnedBrunette: If her skin is pale, and her dark hair is unkempt, walk away now.
* EvilIsAngular: Evil wants to appear imposing. Thanks to our evolutionary heritage, an easy way to do so is to avoid rounded shapes.
* EvilRedhead: Being a redhead means they're going to be evil.
* ExpositoryHairstyleChange: You changed your hairstyle? It likely was for a plot or characterization reason.
* FamilyEyeResemblance: You have your father's eyes. Well you are his daughter.
* FishEyes: Eyes that turn outwards mean that someone is either unintelligent or insane.
* GirlishPigtails: She's either a girly girl or at least a TomboyWithAGirlyStreak.
* GoodEyesEvilEyes: The eyes are the windows to the soul, good and bad ones.
* GoodHairEvilHair: Sometimes stylists believe in personality appropriate hairstyles.
* GoodScarsEvilScars: Only bad people get ugly scars.
* GoldToothOfWealth: Gold teeth used to signify wealth and/ or used as a status symbol.
* HadesShaded: A strange tan indicates a dark power source.
* HairColorSpoiler: The color or style of hair tips things off to the audience.
* HairOfGoldHeartOfGold: If they're nice and blonde, expect them to be PurityPersonified.
* HotBloodedSideburns: Fiery sideburns = Fiery personality.
* ImportantHaircut: You cut your hair? It likely was for a plot or characterization reason.
* LasciviousBeautyMark: Beauty mark means they are flirty, seductive, sexually forward, or very desired InUniverse.
* LockedIntoStrangeness: If something causes a streak of hair to change colors, it wasn't something to be taken lightly.
* LongHairedPrettyBoy: Long, but clean and smooth, hair means he's going to be {{Bishonen}}.
* LongHairIsFeminine: Her girlishness might be in proportion to her hair length.
* MotherlySidePlait: Your mom wears her hair draped over her shoulder? She must be so nice.
* MysticalWhiteHair: If their hair is white, more than likely there is something supernatural about them.
* OjouRinglets: If her hair includes these, she's royal or nobility.
* PrematurelyGreyHaired: A character has grey hair as a result of traumatic experiences rather than old age.
* PrimAndProperBun: She's going to be a ProperLady.
* RavenHairIvorySkin: If her skin is pale, and her dark hair is clean and pretty, expect her to be nice and sweet.
* RedEyesTakeWarning: If their eyes are red, run like hell.
* RedheadInGreen: They wanted their clothes to complement their hair, not clash with it.
* RedRightHand: Any body part that looks wrong may mean one is a villain.
* ReincarnationIdentifyingTrait: This can be a physical trait used to identify reincarnations.
* RegalRinglets: The hair of high class ladies in period pieces.
* RoseHairedSweetie: If her hair is pink, she's going to be nice.
* ScarsAreUgly: Scars the elicit disgust and pity.
* SharedUnusualTrait: Whether they are related, or tied by destiny, they will have a matching physical trait.
* ShouldersOfDoom: Big shoulder clothing indicates someone you don't want to mess with.
* ShyBlueHairedGirl: Blue hair means she's an introvert.
* SignificantWhiteHairDarkSkin: This character is going to be important in some way.
* SignificantGreenEyedRedhead: This character is going to be important in some way.
* SlashersPreferBlondes: Blondes have low odds of being the FinalGirl.
* SupernaturalFloatingHair: Characters associated with the supernatural have floating hair.
* SupernaturalGoldEyes: Gold eyes mean something special about a character, often something magical.
* SultryBangs: The use of eye-covering bangs to denote sensuality or seductiveness.
* TattooAsCharacterType: You got a tattoo? It likely was for a plot or characterization reason.
* TaremeEyes: Eyes that are slanted downwards to symbolize a kind, quiet, sad, fragile or otherwise soft character.
* TomboyishPonytail: She's got a ponytail, and not a fancy one? She's a tomboy.
* TsurimeEyes: Eyes that are slanted upwards to symbolize a strong-willed, arrogant, or prideful character.
* VillainousGoldTooth: Gold teeth used to signify villainy and/or amorality.
* VillainousWidowsPeak: Only the most diabolical would dare to be born with their hair trait.
* WhiteHairBlackHeart: If their hair is white, they're likely evil.
* WingdingEyes: These windows to the soul decided to decorate themselves.
* TheWorseningCurseMark: A birthmark, scar, or magical tattoo changes dramatically to indicate that something significant is happening to the character.
* XMarksTheHero: A X scar on a character's face is often shown to mark said character as one of the heroes.
[[/folder]]
[[/index]]

!!Examples:

[[foldercontrol]]

[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
* In the original ''Manga/{{Appleseed}}'' manga, female lead Deunan Knute is drawn as a blonde with bronze skin, which she explains is because her father is European and her mother is Sudanese after Hitomi comments she's darker-skinned than most Caucasians she's met. In most adaptations she's drawn with pale skin, though her Sudanese parentage is brought up in ''Anime/AppleseedXIII'': Briareos mentions in an InternalMonologue that Deunan's mother was [[PoliceBrutality murdered by a soldier for violating a racial segregation law]], which caused her father to go KnightTemplarParent and train his daughter into a soldier.
* ''Manga/OnePiece'': Nami provides two examples:
** Her shoes of choice in most arcs are glamorous-looking high-heeled sandals, a holdover from her days of wearing sandals in a tropical environment growing up, along with her adoptive mother and sister and practically the rest of the islanders. However, she'll mix it up every so often with some other fancy footwear, including boots.
** Prior to Arlong Park, Nami is always shown wearing sleeved shirts. This actually turns out to be a plot point, as the sleeves cover up the Arlong Pirates tattoo on her shoulder. After Arlong is defeated, she modifies her tattoo into a symbol of her family. From that point on, she almost always wears sleeveless clothing to show off her tattoo.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Comic Books]]
* ''ComicBook/{{Incandescence}}'': Audrey’s wardrobe, which consists of a lot of SpandexLatexOrLeather, alludes to her background in dance and secret identity as Incandescence.
* ''ComicBook/{{Loop}}'': The time-traveling twins and FatherTime have time-themed appearances, naturally.
** The blue twin's hair buns look like alarm clock bells, and the bow on her front looks like an infinity loop.
** The red twin's pigtails look like the hands of a clock, and the bandolier she's wearing as part of her cowboy getup is actually a giant watch.
** Father Time has a giant droopy clock draped over his shoulders, Roman numerals around his sleeve cuffs, and a tiny sundial in the center of his forehead.
* ''Franchise/{{Superman}}'': Lex Luthor has green eyes. This served as a plot point when his doppelganger from another universe turned up dead: he was differentiated by having blue eyes. Luthor is also known to dope up on Kryptonite-based steroids, which make his eyes seem unnatural. And of course, [[GreenEyedMonster given Luthor's intense jealousy of Superman]], they're thematically appropriate.
* In ComicBook/YoungJustice Arrowette, after nearly murdering a man, worries that she might be evil which to her means "[[SensibleHeroesSkimpyVillains I'll have to get a tight, skimpy black leather outfit that shows off my cleavage. Oh God, I'll have to get cleavage!"]]. In a later storyline her team gets sent to an alternate universe where they meet [[NinetiesAntiHero a much darker version of her]], who wears a skimpy leather outfit and has cleavage.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Fan Works]]
* ''Fanfic/{{Alicorn}}'': After being revealed as an alicorn and Celestia's daughter, Rainbow is scared that from now on her alicornhood and royalty will be all anyone cares about and no one will look past it and see who she really is. As an alicor, her horn is longer and thinner than a unicorn's, making it both impossible to hide and the first thing anyone will noyice about her. Combined with her pre-existing StrongFamilyResemblance, it also makes it extremely obvious who her mother is, which she would prefer to forget.
* ''Fanfic/{{Anthropology}}'': When Lyra [[spoiler:is turned into a human, her hair]] is the same color as her mane: mint green. Thankfully, [[spoiler:when she teleports to the [[RealWorld real world]] she winds up in modern times,]] so no one really minds.
* ''WebComic/TheStoryOfAGardevoirThatBecameATrainer'': The main character has light green hair, one of her visual carryovers from her previous form as a Gardevoir.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Animation]]
* In the ''Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolf'' film ''[[Animation/PleasantGoatAndBigBigWolfMoonCastleTheSpaceAdventure Moon Castle: The Space Adventure]]'', the Bitter Gourd King wears a sheet of paper on his face bearing the Chinese symbol "苦", meaning "bitter".
* In ''WesternAnimation/TurningRed'', Tyler wears a sports headband and short-sleeved gym attire, befitting his JerkJock characterization and skills. [[spoiler:Furthermore, with the addition of ear piercings, this matches the look of Aaron Z. of 4★Town. Tyler is one of Aaron Z's biggest fans (in part due to their shared heritage), and [[https://64.media.tumblr.com/0253798ccfa79fe6ad8d6986aa90d94c/84477f361af077b4-ac/s1280x1920/a0e1e04f38c42fa7ade7bb38e17f4776273b910f.jpg he modeled his looks]] after the singer.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Films -- Live-Action]]
* In ''Film/BigTroubleInLittleChina'', David Lo Pan, the Big Bad, has to sacrifice a woman with green eyes in order to undo a curse that keeps his true form immaterial. Un/Fortunately [[spoiler:the love interests of both the main protagonist and his kung fu buddy have green eyes, so they have to go defeat Lo Pan's crew in a wire-fight to the death]].
* ''Franchise/{{Saw}}'': Unlike other Jigsaw apprentices and certain relevant accomplices, Hoffman never wore a [[RedAndBlackAndEvilAllOver red and black robe]] similar to John's whenever on the testing field, instead wearing the dark blue parka he first had when abducting Seth. This represents that he had never believed in John's philosophy once, even when compared to other apprentices who defied it like Amanda.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Literature]]
* In ''Literature/GreatExpectations'', Miss Havisham's backstory and refusal to move on are conveyed through the aged wedding dress she refuses to take off. She wears it in all of her scenes, which motivates Pippin to discover the circumstances behind her abandonment at the altar.
* ''Literature/PrincessesOfThePizzaParlor'': In the first book, in the description of Claire, who plays a SailorSenshiSendUp, using Sailor Moon, whose Japanese name means "Rabbit / Bunny", and from the ''Princesses Don't Play Nice'' onwards, it also indicates [[spoiler:her character's ability to transform into a rabbit-based melee attacking form]]:
--> A single oversized bow stuck out from the back of her dark brown hair like a pair of floppy bunny ears.
* [[AffablyEvil Captain Halsing]] in ''Literature/{{Victoria}}'' is tall, well-built, blond and blue-eyed, and handsome, as well as an imperturbably calm and composed SharpDressedMan. Thus, practically everything about his appearance makes him a paragon illustrating the ideals of [[BeautyIsBad his Nazi ideology]], even when he's out of uniform.
* ''Literature/RWBYFairyTalesOfRemnant'': In ''The Warrior in the Woods'', when the Warrior first appears, her cloak is torn, and her clothing is barely more than rags patched together. Even her weapon has seen better days, with the wooden handle cracked and beginning to split. She lives alone in the forest, constantly fighting the Grimm and thereby protecting the village. However, it's also a hint of where she comes from, and the tragic backstory that left her alone in the world with nothing to her name.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Radio]]
* In the world of Marus, as depicted in ''Radio/AdventuresInOdyssey'''s ''Passages'' tie-in episode, different-colored eyes are recognized as a sign of prophecy. Interworldly interloper Alice physically goes from having brown eyes to blue and green, then loses them again when her time as [[{{God}} The Unseen One's]] messenger is up.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Theatre]]
* As detailed in [[http://tyrannyofstyle.com/costume-design-hamilton-broadway this interview]], King George of ''Theatre/{{Hamilton}}'' is weighed down upon by his massive jewel-encrusted outfit, showing the unadaptable and outdated nature of the British Empire.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Toys]]
* In ''Toys/{{Tamagotchi}}'', Coffretchi wears a small pink cap that resembles a powder puff, perfect considering that she's a makeup artist.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Video Games]]
* ''VideoGame/TeamFortress2'': The Administrator, who is RunningBothSides of the RED and BLU teams, wears purple.
* Yuna from ''VideoGame/FinalFantasyX'' has heterochromia to indicate that she's [[spoiler: half Al-Bhed]]. She has a green eye and a blue one.
* Handsome Jack, the primary antagonist from ''VideoGame/{{Borderlands 2}}'' appears to have heterochromia. His left eye is green and right eye blue. This serves as foreshadowing that [[spoiler:Jack's face isn't real. The blue eye is his actual eye while the green is part of the mask. His actual left eye is scarred and appears to have no pupil.]]
* Fletcher and Johnston from ''VideoGame/KanColle'' each have unique hair decs. The former wears a headband that's based on the early ''Fletcher''-class destroyers. The latter, meanwhile, has hair ribbons that feature the historical USS ''Johnston's'' "NIKZ" callsign and hairpins that resemble the bridge structures of later ''Fletcher''-class ships.
* ''VideoGame/Persona5'': Ann has a four leaved clover on the hood of her CustomUniform. She also has the highest Luck stat out of all the party members.
* ''VideoGame/WildArms4'': [[KidHero Jude]] wears a blatantly oversized jacket, which signifies that he still has much growing up to do, and not only in physical, but also in mental sence. The only question is if he has to [[ChildrenAreInnocent sacrifice his ideals]] in order to fit into the CrapsackWorld he lives in.
* ''VideoGame/FateGrandOrder'': Ashiya Douman's hair is split into two colors with one half being black and the other half being white. He is an Onmyouji, a type of Japanese sorcerer that uses the concept of yin and yang as foundation.
* ''VideoGame/GuiltyGear'': I-no the [[HotWitch smoking hot guitar witch]] has a distinctive beauty mole on her upper lip. [[spoiler:The fact that Axl's LostLenore [[https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/megumi_ggst.png Megumi]] has an identical mark in the same spot foreshadows the reveal that I-no is an older BrokenBird version of Megumi from an AlternateTimeline.]]
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Comics]]
* ''WebComic/CaseyAndAndy'': Satan, who's a human looking MsFanservice [[http://www.galactanet.com/comic/view.php?strip=178 here,]] has two horns on her head and her orange hair has a red tuft at the front.
* ''Webcomic/TheSecretKnots'': In-universe in "Glitches". Xeni can make herself look like anything she wants inside the virtual reality memorial that she spends most of her time in, and gives herself a jarringly ugly, expressionless mask that covers her entire head, saying that she wants to look the way she feels after the death of her friend.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Original]]
* ''Literature/CanYouSpareAQuarter'': In the restaurant, patrons notice the poor state of Jamie's clothes and the bruises on his face, and start watching and whispering with each other about this. He is after all [[TheRunaway a runaway kid]] who had run-ins with violent men on the street.
[[/folder]]

[[folder:Web Videos]]
* Creator/JeremyJahns wears a ''Franchise/StarWars'' curtain he had as a kid like a cape whenever he does a ''Star Wars'' video to convey how much he loves the movies.
[[/folder]]
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