Make a list of characters from all eras of time, from biblical to modern times. Include names and descriptions of their personalities, motivations, details of their family lives, etc. Then put each name on a strip of paper and have each student draw one name out of a hat. Students must then dress an actor or a mannequin in the wardrobe of that character. Students must fully describe each article of clothing and accessory, and explain why they used each piece.
Students should be given a week to design their costumes. Each costume should be modeled for 5 minutes in front of the class, and then be explained by the student who put it together.
Students are assigned a particular time period in which a story is told and must know the proper names of all the parts of a character's wardrobe, and why each piece was worn. As a test, actors dressed in period costumes should walk around the classroom. The students must be able to recognize and describe all parts of the costume, including unusual particulars such as wearing very baggy pants low on the hips, a baseball cap backwards or sideways, etc.
Give the students a description of the personality and personal motivations of an everyday character; then dress the character according to mood. If they are joyful, would they wear bright colors and clothing that reveals them as more attractive? When characters are heartbroken in a scene, do they wear dark, un-ironed, messy clothing? When they are furious, are they wearing red or a similar color that may be subtly combative in tone? These are all ideas to consider when choosing costumes for a character who goes through many emotions in a story, as many characters so often do in the greatest stories.