I Wouldn't Be Seen Dead in That

[Ian]

When your dead Gran appeared beside your bed, what was she wearing? Do spirits have access to some sort of paranormal wardrobe? A light-hearted look at questions about ghosts and hauntings.
https://www.ianjarviswriter.com/singl...

[Patricia]

Usually whatever they had on when they died.

But in dream sequences there usually wearing whatever the person alive remembers them best in.

[Ian]

Hi Patricia. Yes, it's always been accepted that ghosts will be wearing the outfit they died in, but many seem to 'get changed' after death, including some older spirits. For example, the famous Dick Turpin was hanged wearing just a shirt, but when his ghost is seen on the lonely stretches of road where he used to rob folk, it's invariably dressed in full highwayman costume, with a mask and a 'spirit' horse.

[Andrew]

In my novel ghost all become what they truly imagined they were (or influences a major life changing point like death itself). So for some they are trapped in their prime wearing the clothes they felt more comfortable in... But other ghosts transform into opposite genders (ghost themselves are ITS just an image of expression), animals, trucks, toys or... Walking down the streets of San Francisco during the Holidays is an experience for a Ghost seer.

[Ian]

That sounds like a great concept, Andrew

[Patricia]

Hello Ian,

Yes but I don't think its a supernatural wardrobe, and more so related to how you died and the trauma in your life.
If you died in an unfortunate car accident but spent most of your life murdering people. Then you are more likely to appear in the costume you wore while murdering people because that negativity and things associated with it, is imprinted on your spirit. Versus a grandma dying of old age after a relatively positive and long fulfilled life. Who may just be in her pajamas.

But for novels sake you can write it however you like. Andrews is quite creative.

[Brittain *Needs a Nap and a Drink*]

I keep imagining what a family member dressed them in for their funeral.

But also, wouldn't cultural influences come into it? I know in some cultures, a person is dressed in certain colors for their funeral. Or there is a specific look for spirits or ghosts. Like a young girl ghost might be dressed in all white or something evil can be dressed in rags or something. It would be interesting to learn about the culture of ghosts in different areas.

[Michaela]

As someone who works with spirits/ghosts as part of my spiritual practice, I've found that most spirits can more or less change their appearance at will.

[Barbi Faye (The Book Fae)]

I have seen in lit and screen a lot of times not only are the spirits stuck in what they have died in, but the outfit has suffered whatever caused the death, such as a bloody shot to the heart. The said outfit has now become forever bloodstained, and now usually the inability to change ones clothes after ones death has also become a comedic foil in the story. I often find it is up to the author, whether the ghost has access to a ghostly armoire or not...

[Ian]

I remember the Frighteners with Michael J. Fox . It strikes the same balance between paranormal horror and humour that I use in my novels. In the film, Fox has two spirits that 'work' with him and each is stuck with whatever outfit and hairstyle they died in. This is a big problem for Chi McBride, the fashion-conscious black spirit who died in 1973 and is now forever stuck with laughably unfashionable Afro hair and huge flared trousers etc.
I'm excited by what Michaela says about spirits being able to change their appearance at will. When you see me after death, I'll be stripped to the waist and looking exactly like Brad Pitt in Fight Club.