Help, from someone more stylish than me?

[Mirannan]

Which isn't at all difficult. Seriously, though, especially as it's to do with female fashion:

I need some help with the question of whether a particular combination of colours would work for one of my characters. Specifically, with her colouring.

The character in question is very Nordic in appearance. Blue eyes, very pale skin, pale blonde hair, very athletic. The colours I have in mind (for formal attire, mostly) are midnight blue with silver accessories - the chains included in this being quite chunky. Would this work, and what sort of general impression is it going to give?

I'm sure the answers will be fascinating.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

Your character sounds the image of my daughter who is blonder than the photo suggests. This is her this evening wearing something similar. I think those colours go well with Nordic colouring.

 

[The Judge]

Well, I have blue eyes and pale-ish skin, though not alas the ash blonde hair and athletic frame, and I wore blue a lot, but more usually paler blues, though, and evening wear was royal more than than midnight. The problem with pale skin is that it can look a bit washed out and dark colours can worsen that. I'd personally fight shy of silver in this case, as it sounds a bit Elvish-like (as in elves, not dead singers).

Are you fixed on midnight blue? What effect are you looking for?

I've just googled Uma Thurman to see what she's worn on the red carpet, and there's this http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/12/02/23A781A900000578-0-image-79_1417497227683.jpg but notice how it's not near her face, draining it of colour, and this one to me is wrong on all kinds of levels... http://www.hawtcelebs.com/wp-conten...ham-independent-film-awards-in-new-york_3.jpg


Kerry, she's lovely!

 

[AnyaKimlin]

My son has most of your description except the skin - he's blond haired, blue eyed, athletic build.

Midnight blue would work I think.

 

[Cat's Cradle]

First a compliment to Kerry...I echo The Judge's thoughts--your daughter is lovely!

I am lucky enough to be married to a lovely, sweet, hilarious, brilliant, blonde, blue-eyed Nordic person who closely matches the description you are giving. She looks beautiful in almost any blue...electric, midnight, light blue, etc. If you want an idea of a Nordic woman in dark blue you can see a photo of my wife (and I) that I entered in the October 2014 photo contest. You'll have proof there that the various blues do work well with the look you're describing. Best of luck, CC

http://www.sffchronicles.com/attachments/22044/

 

[Juliana]

Not blonde, but Amy Adams has very pale skin, and here's a pic of her looking lovely in blue at last year's SAG awards:

http://cdn.stylefrizz.com/img/amy-adams-blue-dress-2014-sag-awards-red-carpet.jpg

Kerry, beautiful pic!

 

[Mouse]

I'd have said green. But I like green. Wear green a lot and I'm uber pale.

 

[Mirannan]

I'd have said green. But I like green. Wear green a lot and I'm uber pale.

Maybe, but in my humble (very humble!) opinion that works better for a redhead - even someone with a red tinge to their hair. I'm saying that having no real idea what you look like.

Kerry, third or fourth the comments of others. Congrats!

The Judge - Well, the effect I'm looking for is in fact possibly describable as eldritch. The character is supernatural, for a start, although human-looking most of the time. And BTW, Uma Thurmann's attire in those pics is nearer black (IMHO) than midnight blue.

The whole idea is that this woman stops conversations when she walks through a door. Would my ideas work for this?

 

[Cat's Cradle]

I think the midnight blue is a definite yes...depending on the cut of the clothing, of course (garish is garish, and stylish is timeless), this color works exceptionally well with my wife's coloring. Silver jewelry is her preference, but she doesn't go clunky; so I would say a definite yes for the accessories, with my only concern being how clunky you make the pieces your character will wear.

As to the impression, I would say it's how you present the character. If her outfit is tastefully put together, she could look very elegant and refined; if you want garish, that can be done by the cut of her gown, and by adding tacky accessories. I guess the one thing with this color combo is that--presented in a certain way--it could give off an icy vibe. Okay, I am babbling at this point...hope something there is helpful, CC

 

[Brian G Turner]

Blue and silver work fine together - it's when you start mixing orange and green that you may raise eyebrows.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

At university I had a friend with flame red hair (natural) who wore virulent green and orange and neon pink all together all the time. I think she reckoned since nothing really matched hair like hers she might as well be as wild as possible.

Having said that, it was the 80s and I have to confess to having worn neon pink leg warmers once or twice myself.

 

[Dan Jones]

I agree with Brian - blue and silver are a good combo. If you're going for a jaw-dropping-head-turning-wow-factor then perhaps there ought to be a lot of silver. I find elbow-length gloves quite striking - perhaps this could be added to the ensemble?

I'm reasonably pale and my wife always says that dark blues - navy, midnight - always look good on me. I'm not in any way blond though.

 

[Mirannan]

Thanks everyone. The scene (very nebulous right now) is a formal ball or maybe large (50+) formal dinner. Mostly military but uniforms not allowed for some reason. I'm not sure all that much description is going to go in (too much of that can be BAD unless it's relevant) but so far my idea is a floor-length formal gown, silver embroidered, some but not too much cleavage, flat shoes or knee-length boots (because she is over 6' tall to start with!) and a heavy silver mesh belt and brooch (sword motif). Elbow-length gloves, matching the dress, also embroidered.

Too much? I suppose visualising it is the key; if I had any artistic skills at all I'd draw it... Incidentally, the ensemble will probably turn out to include some sort of weapon.

 

[Kerrybuchanan]

I think so long as you have a clear image in your own head of what she looks like, you only need to hint at her clothes. If you decide to describe the outfit as above, maybe drop little details in as seen through someone else's eyes. "his eyes were drawn to the silver sword brooch pinning the midnight blue gown...", "The light from a thousand candles reflected off the silver thread in her elbow-length gloves", etc. Beware head hopping though. Better to leave it to the reader's imagination than give too much info.

 

[Juliana]

Yes to what Kerry said above. Personally I find that when clothes descriptions go on too long I tend to skip that paragraph in novels. I prefer a rough sketch.

 

[SleepyDormouse]

I think the colour works well. (this is the actress who played luna lovegood). I agree with keeping description short. I find the idea of knee high boots under a floor length formal dress intriguing! Is she very actiony (asking because of the brooch) maybe she would keep a knife in those boots, just in case.

 

[jastius]

Thanks everyone. The scene (very nebulous right now) is a formal ball or maybe large (50+) formal dinner. Mostly military but uniforms not allowed for some reason. I'm not sure all that much description is going to go in (too much of that can be BAD unless it's relevant) but so far my idea is a floor-length formal gown, silver embroidered, some but not too much cleavage, flat shoes or knee-length boots (because she is over 6' tall to start with!) and a heavy silver mesh belt and brooch (sword motif). Elbow-length gloves, matching the dress, also embroidered.

Too much? I suppose visualising it is the key; if I had any artistic skills at all I'd draw it... Incidentally, the ensemble will probably turn out to include some sort of weapon.

Pale and interesting works for the Gwen Stephani types..

With silver scarf sash thing..

 

[Mirannan]

I think the colour works well. (this is the actress who played luna lovegood). I agree with keeping description short. I find the idea of knee high boots under a floor length formal dress intriguing! Is she very actiony (asking because of the brooch) maybe she would keep a knife in those boots, just in case.

Yup. Very actiony - hence the athletic look. Knee-length boots are a good place to keep all manner of interesting things. (I think completing the ensemble with a sword in a silver-chased scabbard would be a little OTT.)