physically describing characters (or not)

[Mad Lews]

I remember reading Stephen King (in On Writing) say that there was no need to describe what a person was wearing. The very next book of his that I picked up started with: He was a big, broad-shouldered man in a worn and scuffed corduroy jacket and plain twill slacks


I think this shows that there is no hard and fast rule but, for me, there is also nothing worse than a sentence that includes: She had 48DD breasts

Dearest Isabella (no relation?) King

Either that or Stephen King was having a rough time getting the story rolling.
I suppose we should be grateful the character wasn't admiring his budging biceps under the straining denim work shirt as he stared into the cheap motel mirror.
You are partially right though, while anyone can think of a few hard and fast rules, nobody should follow them all the time.That would be boring.
Knowing when you can get away with rule busting, that's the key.

Yours
Mad & Lews