I have read stories that have started off rather badly in my opinion with an extended physical description of the main character. In some cases, every new character is introduced with an extended physical description. Of course, these descriptions include a distinguishing trait, because somewhere someone said that would make the character more believable.
I have found quite the opposite to be true, where the distinguishing trait more often results in a crazy character circus of individuals with strange mannerisms, deranged senses of fashion, and obscure disabilities and ailments. They unintentionally become self-conscious caricatures of a character description that don’t contribute to the story or even the character. These quirks have the same effect as wearing a loud tie—memorable but not palatable.