Hmm... Could you describe their body-plan a little, please? A house-cat walking upright would—if my understanding is correct—be somewhat awkward, as their proportions aren't ideal, their hips are presumably an inconvenient shape for it, and their spines likely too flexible—but it's possible that magic or hand-waving is in play, of course.
So, how like a cat are they, and how do they differ?
My Games & Writing
Ponchos, definitely, with hats that balance on their heads to keep the rest of the weather off of them. Two kinds: the everyday clothing that buttons up, and outercoats for more inclement conditions or formalities. As with most other things, the style and cost of materials denotes one's socioeconomic class (though it's not unheard-of for the poor to have a nicer set for really special occasions) and how clean one makes an effort to keep them.
I've heard of cats who are fine with wearing clothes, but the ones I've met and owned have been really adamant about not wearing yet another layer of warmth over their already well-evolved fur. That, and pants just don't seem to work for them. So, ponchos and possibly hats - is my suggestion.
If it's Victorian-like, then expanding on their history and culture might work. Clothes basically a culture statement, when you think about it.
On fur: That depends. I know that in some human culture, existence of hair (or lack of it) can be seen as somewhat status symbol. In that case, shaving your body hair so you feel comfortable wearing "second hair" probably seen as necessity.
Human skin.
Sorry, I couldn't help it.
I mean, if there is enough of it and you are sufficiently loony than I don't see why not
Given that they are "Animal People" and not human, I thought it was obvious.
if they have fur, then no clothes. Or more specifically, only special purpose clothes. Coveralls for doing dirty work without spending 4 hours grooming afterwards, belts or more elaborate harnesses with pouches to serve the same function as pockets, ect.
Note that this means their industrial revolution would have to be a fair bit different, as it wont be as dominated by cloth making.
edited 10th Aug '16 10:20:03 AM by Izeinsummer
I have one particular race in one of my worlds called that Tildevisu. They're more or less cat-deer people, being mostly upright-walking cats with deer hooves and antlers.
I'm having problems figuring out what sort of clothes they might wear. If they had lower-level technology, that'd be easier... but their technological level is equivalent to the Victorian era.
At the same time, though, I can't see them wearing miniaturized, historically appropriate clothes either, since they're not really built for the parameters of their bodies, and it would just look off.
Figuring out what the upper classes wear would be nice, but I really need help with what the middle-lower class generally wears, since they're the most in the spotlight in my story.
If it helps, they live in a temperate, patchily forested, hilly area, although much of it has been developed over.
Help, maybe?
edited 25th Jul '16 4:13:46 PM by Petricareless
Everyone is Kay-fam.