I started following the Met Gala and a few other fashion events a few years ago when vibrant colors started to make a comeback on red carpet outfits. I love getting to see all of the bold fabrics, patterns, and unique silhouettes from different designers and celebrities, and use a combination of screen magnification, verbal descriptions, and written image descriptions to learn more about an outfit as a person with low vision and normal color vision. Here are my favorite tips for how to create image descriptions for red carpet looks, celebrity outfits, and black tie/white tie formalwear.
What is an image description? Is it different than alt text?
Alternative text (alt text) and image descriptions are text-based descriptions of visual details in an image written primarily for people who are visually impaired (inclusive of blind, low vision, and neurological visual impairment). If an image fails to load on a website, alt text will be displayed in its place, and alt text is also used for search engine optimization and image search tools.
Image descriptions are similar to alt text descriptions that are used by screen readers to recognize images, though there are a few key differences between alt text and image descriptions:
LOCATION
Alt text is typically attached to an image metadata or added in the “alt text” box on social media. Image descriptions may be in the image caption, in a text post, or shared in a text link for extended descriptions.
VISIBILITY
Alt text is usually only visible to screen readers, which read the alt text out loud or display it on a braille display. Image descriptions are “exposed” and can be read by anyone. Saving an image does not save its alt text.
BlueSky, X, and Mastodon are examples of social media platforms that allow users to read alt text whether they have a screen reader or not by selecting the ALT button on an image or gif that has alt text included.
LENGTH OF TEXT
A picture is worth a thousand words, but there may only be room for a thousand characters! Alt text is typically limited to 100-250 characters, though most best practice guides recommend keeping alt text to around 125 characters. Image descriptions can be the same length or even longer, since they are included in the photo caption, in a text post, or text link.
For social media platforms that have larger character limits for alt text, many users will write longer image descriptions in the alt text field, and reprint the same descriptions in the caption of the post. However, this is not completely necessary for platforms that offer exposed alt text that can be viewed without a screen reader.
Here are the policies for alt text on popular social media platforms, copied from my post on How To Add Alt Text on Social Media.
- Twitter (X) supports alt text up to 1,000 characters, though alt text cannot be added or edited after an image or gif is posted.
- BlueSky supports alt text up to 2,000 characters, though alt text cannot be added or edited after an image is posted.
- Mastodon supports alt text up to 1,500 characters, though alt text cannot be added or edited after an image or gif is posted.
- Instagram supports alt text up to 100 characters, and alt text can be added or edited after a picture is posted.
- Threads supports alt text up to 1,000 characters, though alt text cannot be added or edited after an image is posted.
- Facebook supports alt text up to 100 characters, and alt text can be added or edited after a picture is posted.
- Tumblr supports alt text up to 4,096 characters, and alt text can be added or edited after a picture or gif is posted.
- Pinterest supports alt text up to 800 characters, and alt text can be added to static/image or video pins after they are posted.
- LinkedIn supports alt text up to 120 characters, and alt text cannot be added or edited after a picture is posted
LEVEL OF DETAIL
Image descriptions tend to go more in-depth about visual details than alt text due to the larger character limit. For example, alt text might tell a user there is a puddle on the floor, but an image description might go into further detail and say there is a puddle of orange juice on a white tiled kitchen floor.
It’s worth noting that some people will use the same text for both alt text and image descriptions, which is an accepted practice. However, I prefer to include more detailed descriptions as exposed image descriptions so everyone can read them whether they have a screen reader enabled or not.
SHOULD I USE BOTH ALT TEXT AND IMAGE DESCRIPTIONS?
I recommend using both alt text and image descriptions when possible, since image descriptions can also be read in large print or by people who aren’t using screen readers. Some people use the same text for both, while others prefer to write more detail in exposed image descriptions and treat them like image captions. Another strategy to share lengthy image descriptions on social media is to write a basic description of the image as alt text and then link an extended image description to read on another page.
When sharing exposed descriptions, I recommend using the label “ID:” or “Image Description:” in front of the text so that it is easier to locate. Some creators choose to enclose the description in parenthesis or brackets, which is also helpful for separating the description from the rest of the caption. Using the label “Alt text:” in a caption is also acceptable and conveys the same message, but the term image description is more appropriate.
Related links
- How To Access Images Without Alt Text
- How To Add Alt Text On Social Media
- How To Write Alt Text And Image Descriptions For Photojournalism Images
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions For Jewelry
- How To Write Alt Text For Casual Outfits
Image descriptions vs visual descriptions
Visual descriptions are used by people presenting at events or conferences to describe their own appearance. These descriptions are voluntary but can help with eliminating unconscious bias and with navigating social situations, since people may feel uncomfortable asking for details on what a person looks like. Visual descriptions specifically benefit people who are blind, that have low vision, or that otherwise have vision loss. I acknowledge that there are people living with vision loss that do not care for visual descriptions or believe that visual descriptions are part of a broader social or political agenda. However, I find them personally helpful, and so do many other people with vision loss, and I encourage speakers to provide this information whenever possible to help make events and conversations even more inclusive.
Visual descriptions are constructed in a similar way to image descriptions, but are typically written or provided verbally by the subject, while image descriptions are usually written by someone else/a third party. I’d love to see a trend of people providing their own visual descriptions at events when asked what they are wearing— that would be really interesting to hear how others would describe their outfits or how they resonate with a specific style.
Related links
- How To Create Helpful Visual Descriptions For Visually Impaired Audiences
- My Thoughts On Visual Descriptions With Low Vision
- Meeting Disney Characters With Low Vision
Things to include in image descriptions for red carpet looks
When writing image descriptions for red carpet outfits, I include the following information in the following approximate order, though I may change the order if a given item is the focus of an outfit— for example, if a simple dress is paired with statement shoes, I would describe the shoes before the dress. Most image descriptions I encounter are 3-5 sentences long.
Who is in the photo
A lot of the people featured at red carpet events are celebrities and other figures with name recognition. If it is a person with their own Wikipedia page, it’s okay to just write the person’s name at the beginning of the description and not provide any additional descriptive information, unless their appearance is drastically different. For example, some celebrities dye their hair at the Met Gala, so it would make sense to mention this change in appearance, e.g. “Cara Delevingne wearing a short gray wig.”
In situations where the model is unknown or their name is unavailable, I recommend providing information such as race/ethnicity, gender, hair color, and an optional age/age range. It can also be helpful to include information about their body type/build when it comes to red carpet descriptions, though I would refrain from mentioning specific clothing sizes unless the event is a fashion show or modeling event where clothing size is relevant.
Color(s) of the outfit
When describing colors of an outfit, use shade names such as cobalt blue, periwinkle, burgundy, lime green, metallic gold, or similar names; there’s no need to describe what the color red looks like, shade names are perfect for image descriptions. If there are multiple colors in a pattern, start by mentioning the base color and then mention the color(s) of pattern elements- for example, today I am wearing a vintage purple colored dress with white stripes (vintage purple is the shade name).
Pattern
Solid colored dresses and suits are common, but some of the most interesting dresses I’ve seen used patterns or alternating colors. I would describe the outfit from the top down, making sure to note if the colors were arranged in a specific way, or if the pattern is in a specific location— for example, some dresses have slogans written on the back at events.
Outfits that transform on the red carpet
One of my favorite Met Gala looks is Blake Lively’s Statue of Liberty dress, which was tied in an oversized copper bow that was undone to reveal a long turquoise-colored train to symbolize the oxidation of the Statue of Liberty statue over time. In another look, Zendaya wore a Cinderella dress that glowed when her stylist waved a wand in front of it.
If showing photos side-by-side of an outfit’s transformation, I recommend mentioning what is different in the second photo and how the effect was achieved. For example, “Zendaya’s stylist waves a magic wand in front of her dress, and vertical light blue lines appear along the body and skirt, creating a glowing effect.”
Outfit material/textures
I love that more suits and red carpet outfits are being made with interesting fabric types and textures, such as brocade, velvet, damask, lamé, and others. When writing an image description, mention the type of fabric or materials that is used for the outfit, or describe different fabrics in order of how they appear on the outfit- i.e lace top with a chiffon skirt.
I use the term “materials” because I know some red carpet outfits do not use fabric or traditional materials— the main example I thought of for this was Lady Gaga’s meat dress at the VMAs from 2010!
Silhouette
Some questions to think about when describing the silhouette of an outfit include:
- What is the shape of the outfit?
- Is it an oversized look, or does it use skintight fabric?
- How does the neckline look?
- Does it have statement sleeves, large embellishments, fabric cut-outs, a long train, or other items that make it interesting?
This is all helpful information to include in an image description for red carpet outfits, as these types of details can take a simple dress or tux to something over-the-top. For dresses, it can help to use silhouette names such as a-line, mermaid, ball gown, or similar, or use popular terms for necklines such as sweetheart, deep v, or mock neck- if the person reading the image description isn’t sure what a silhouette looks like based on the name, they can look it up.
Unexpected visible/invisible skin
I’m not surprised when someone’s neck, elbows, ankles, or similar skin is visible or covered in a red carpet outfit, but unexpected or statement details such as a fabric that covers the person’s entire body or a see-through dress would be worth mentioning in a description.
Shoes
Like with dresses and necklines, the type of shoe should be mentioned, as well as its color and if it has an interesting texture/embellishments. The height of shoes can be hard to measure in a photo, so if the exact height isn’t available I would use give an approximation or use a term like “sky-high heels.” If shoes are not visible or do not stand out, I do not mention them in a description- people reading an image description would assume the shoes are not relevant to the outfit, and would not likely assume that the person is not wearing shoes.
Interesting jewelry/accessories
Earrings, necklaces, hats, purses, and similar jewelry/accessories should be mentioned when describing red carpet outfits, especially at events like the Met Gala where statement accessories are often coordinated with different looks.
Hair
A lot of celebrities will change up their hair for the red carpet, dyeing it a different color, cutting it, or choosing elaborate hairstyles. Unless the hair is the focus of the image, I would describe the hair’s appearance by mentioning the length, color, texture, and/or style, keeping the description to a sentence or less. For example, if I was writing an image description for my hair the night of my senior prom, I would describe it as “caramel brown hair in a half-up hairstyle, featuring a braid in the center that has been twisted to resemble a rose and relaxed shoulder-length curls.”
Bold makeup looks/nails
I don’t usually include makeup or nail looks when writing image descriptions for red carpet outfits unless it is an over-the-top statement look or looks different than what I imagine someone would be wearing on the red carpet. For example, bright metallic eye shadow that coordinates with the dress, nails with long dangling chains, or facial prosthetics would be something worth mentioning in a description.
Bonus: Designer’s name
Designers work hard to create these amazing red carpet outfits, and if designer information is available, I recommend mentioning the name in the description. This can be mentioned when describing the initial outfit or as a note at the end of the description. For example, if I was writing a description for Selma Blair’s dress from the 2019 Oscars, I would describe it either as a “Ralph & Russo gown” or mention at the end of the description “dress designed by Ralph & Russo.”
Related links
- How To Write Image Descriptions About Jewelry For Visual Impairment
- How To Write Image Descriptions For Cosplay
- How To Write Alt Text For Casual Outfits
- How To Write Alt Text For Memes
- Choosing Jewelry With Chronic Pain
- Going To Prom With Chiari Malformation
More tips for writing image descriptions for red carpet outfits
- Avoid providing an opinion on the outfit, instead allowing the reader to come to their own conclusion on how an outfit looks. If the content in question is a best dressed/worst dressed list where the photo is numbered as part of a list or has text added to it, it’s okay to write “Best dressed list, 9” before writing the rest of the description
- It can be helpful to add the name of the red carpet event and year at the end of the description to provide location context, for example “taken at Met Gala 2022”
- Visible piercings can also be mentioned by name, such as a septum piercing. If a person has multiple piercings in one place, such as the ear, it’s okay to write “multiple piercings” or “wearing several silver ball earrings”
Published May 1, 2023. Updated May 2023