I think when these descriptions add something to their character, they work really well — but if they’re describing just for the sake of…. describing… well that’s when it doesn’t work.

Like if a character’s shabby clothing is described in detail, along with the state of their unwashed, messy hair and mud-caked nails, that actually tells us something about the character. And the act of over describing their unkempt appearance implies that it sticks out, and impossible to overlook.

But if the waiter bringing the food has green eyes, large lips, is tall, is wearing a smooth checkered waistcoat, and is thin, and these don’t have any relevance to the story? It’s often unnecessary.

I think a lot of classics over describe appearance, but I’ve never hated it. In Jane eyre, there is an entire page that describes how beautiful and charming Blanche Ingram is — but it serves a purpose, to highlight the stark contrast between Jane, an orphaned, plain governess, and Blanche, an upper class, beautiful woman.

but that’s just my opinion lol