Recently, I was browsing Pinterest looking at different outfit possibilities for a casual dress that I’d just purchased online, and I started thinking about how to write alt text for casual outfits that I often see online. These images are frequently shared on social media by bloggers and other everyday people, and typically contain clothing that is accessible to a majority of people in terms of cost and style- after all, I’m not going to be browsing social media looking for ideas on how to wear an evening dress in multiple ways, but I’d almost definitely be looking for other ways that people have worn things like sweaters, different colored shoes, and scarves that I also own or am considering buying,
Adding alt text and image descriptions can not only help people make their outfit posts more visible to others, but they can also help people who are blind, low vision, or otherwise visually impaired with learning more about fashion and putting together outfits. Here are my tips for how to write alt text for casual outfits on social media and blogs. Please note that this post does not provide fashion advice or outfit ideas, just tips on how to make these types of posts accessible for a larger audience.
What is alt text? What is an image description?
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). 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.
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. Twitter is one social media platform that allows 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. I usually recommend people keep basic descriptions at around 280 characters, or the length of a tweet/Twitter post.
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 supports alt text up to 1,000 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.
- 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 200 characters, and alt text cannot be added or edited after a picture or gif is posted.
- Pinterest supports alt text up to 500 characters, and alt text can be added to static/image or video pins after they are 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.
Related links
- How To Write Alt Text and Image Descriptions for the Visually Impaired
- Writing Image Descriptions For Red Carpet Outfits
- How To Write Image Descriptions For Cosplay
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. For video content, I have a guide to writing video descriptions linked below.
Related links
- How To Write Video Descriptions For TikTok
- How To Use Text-To-Speech With Low Vision
- A to Z of Assistive Technology For Low Vision
What to include when writing alt text for casual outfits
Helpful information to add when writing alt text for casual outfits includes:
- Basic color/shade names of visible clothing, i.e burgundy dress with brown boots
- What types of clothing/accessories are being used, such as a pink fit and flare dress with a gray infinity scarf
- Names of styles that are used for clothing, i.e a moto jacket, bell-sleeve shirt, or skinny jeans
- Sleeve length, if relevant- no need to mention the sleeve length on a t-shirt, but it can be helpful for dresses or blouses
- The fabric of the clothing, if it is interesting- a green velvet midi skirt or a black leather jacket are interesting, denim jeans are less so
- Any text that is in the image such as a watermark or writing on clothes
Related links
- Getting Dressed With Assistive Technology For Vision Loss
- How I Use The Stylebook App With Low Vision
- Choosing Jewelry With Chronic Pain
- My Favorite Shoes For Chiari Malformation
What to exclude when writing alt text for casual outfits
Information to exclude when writing alt text for casual outfits can include:
- Information about the model or background of the image, since the focus is on the clothing. This is especially true if the person who posted the image did not share their location
- Over-describing colors or patterns- no need to describe what red or stripes look like
- Brand names for clothing, unless the brand has a unique and distinctive pattern or appearance- think Crocs shoes or Lilly Pulitzer pattern names
- Mentioning clothing or accessories that aren’t visible in the image, such as if earrings are hidden by hair
- Repetitive or large amounts of text- it’s okay to write that a shirt has the word “Fashion” written on it six times in shades of blue and green, no need to write fashion six times
Related links
- How To Write Alt Text And Image Descriptions For Photojournalism Images
- How To Write Image Descriptions About Jewelry For Visual Impairment
- Clothing Shopping Tips For Sensory Processing Issues
- Choosing Jewelry With Chronic Pain
Where to put an image description
Trying to figure out where to put an image description for the visually impaired? For blog posts, I recommend including image descriptions with the rest of the outfit details or links, so that people can read the text-based description of the outfit and its components before choosing to click on links. Many blogging tools allow users to insert extended image descriptions the same way that they insert alt text, however, I recommend having image descriptions “exposed” so that people who do not use screen readers can still benefit from them.
On social media, I recommend adding the description to the caption of the post if space allows, though adding it in the comment section is also a common practice. If the image description is in the comment section, make note of this within the caption. I also recommend writing the phrase “Image Description:” or “ID:” in front of the description so that users know what it is.
Related links
- Options For Writing Extended Image Descriptions On Social Media
- How To Add Alt Text On Social Media
- How To Access Images Without Alt Text
What to include when writing image descriptions for casual outfits
Image descriptions should contain all of the same information that is mentioned in alt text, but can be expanded to include:
- Information about the model or background of the image, if relevant. It can be helpful to include a basic physical description or mention that the image was taken in front of a closet mirror
- More detailed descriptions of clothing and fabrics, i.e a rib-knit yellow and white striped shirt with a scoop neck
- Descriptions of clothing arranged from top to bottom, with accessories noted at the end. For example, if I described what I’m wearing, it would be a pink short-sleeve crew neck sweater, paired with a blue and white floral skirt and brown flats, as well as a gold circle necklace and matching earrings
- Any interesting or unique elements to how the clothing is arranged, such as how it is layered or if it has an oversized fit
What to exclude when writing image descriptions for casual outfits
Image descriptions should exclude the following information, though it can be included elsewhere in the image caption/blog post:
- The cost of items, if it isn’t written on the image
- Comments on the appearance of the model or the clothing itself- make sure that descriptions are written objectively
- Descriptions of clothing that uses opinion-based language, i.e cute dress. Clothing names that have opinion style words are okay, such as an ugly Christmas sweater
- Links to clothing- these should be shared outside of the image description
- Precise sizing information- while it is helpful to know what size clothing someone is wearing, this information should not be included in the image description
Related links
- How To Write Image Descriptions About Online Products For Visual Impairment
- How To Create Helpful Visual Descriptions For Visually Impaired Audiences
- How To Write Image Descriptions About Jewelry For Visual Impairment
Summary of how to write alt text and image descriptions for casual outfits
- Alt text and image descriptions provide information about what is in an image for people who may not otherwise be able to see it
- Users should add both alt text and image descriptions if possible and include the image description in an image caption or in the comments of a social media post
- Alt text should include the types of clothing in the image and their colors and any interesting details such as fabric or accessories, and avoid brand names or repetitive information
- Image descriptions can include information about the model and more detailed descriptions of clothing arranged from top to bottom, with accessories at the end
- Alt text and image descriptions for casual outfits can be added across almost all popular social media websites and blogging tools, and should be added so that users can easily access information
