matter sartorial

[rm]

Sorry, take-two because of some typos and a phrasing I should not have used.

[Poll #1617921]

Comments

[bethynyc.livejournal.com]

I think that dark or jewel tones would look fantastic on you. I think you are likely to find a dress that suits you in black, but not necessarily in another color, though we are coming into fall, and deep shades show up on the racks again!

I think the shape of the dress is just as important as the color. That said, I'm sure you will look fabulous no matter what!

[rm.livejournal.com]

Showing of the tattoo makes it somewhat limiting in terms of structure -- I can't wear strapless dresses, so it's down to a halter or a racer-back (I hate one-shoulder dresses, eventhough I know they are in).

[firefly124.livejournal.com]

My initial reaction was, "I am so not qualified to vote in this poll. I have the fashion sense of ... well, of someone who spent her formative years in schools that required wearing lots of plaid." However, upon further thought, it occurred to me that midnight blue might be a smart choice, because it's close and yet just enough off from classic black to result in second-takes.

That and if you'd rather, a suit totally works.

[chris-walsh.livejournal.com]

Not qualified either, and I didn't go to Catholic school. (I still enter Catholic churches wondering if I'm going to get hit by lightning. Maybe I worry too much.) I just have the fashion sense of a hamper.

[yamx]

Wear whatever makes you feel comfortable. Confidence is more attractive than any outfit.

(Note that this should not be construed as a hint not to wear an outfit!)

[hab318princess.livejournal.com]

gone for red... I seem to remember a photo you posted of yourself in a red dress and it suited you

[pocketmouse]

I could see a dark wine red, but not a vivid red.

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

Yes. Wine red doesn't trigger the "trying to stand out" thoughts, but, looks fabulous and more interesting than basic black.

[chaos-by-design.livejournal.com]

I'm confused. Did you already go to your class reunion a while back?

[rm.livejournal.com]

That was for Miss Hewitt's, not the school I graduated from, which is in October.

[thought-ribbons.livejournal.com]

Jewel tones or Red you can pull off in a heart beat honey! do that! The shape is important too, but you're stunning so you can pull off just about anything!

[eumelia.livejournal.com]

I remember that photo of you in red and I flashed to the whole "Red is totally your colour".

Just, wow, with your dark hair and dark eyes.... POW!

And the other things I ticked.

[bodlon.livejournal.com]

All of my answers should be disregarded if there's something fabulous.

[trinker.livejournal.com]

If it's only for two events, with no overlap, then whatever damned color makes you look rRRaawrr.

If it's for more than to events, or they have significant overlap, then black, with smashing accessories.

My vote is actually - "throw caution to the wind, see if you can find two spectacular dresses, each for half of your budget" I got married in lime green and lavender (it doesn't sound like it would work, but it did), because when I tried it on, it took the groom's breath away.

You don't have to repierce your ears - you could go the old-fashioned route with earrings. Or you could go for no earrings and a showstopper necklace. (Given your long features, I'd stay away from most traditional earrings, anyway, and you've got a gorgeous jawline to highlight.)

[rm.livejournal.com]

I always feel that, if wearing a dress, I must wear earrings because of my short, short hair.

If the two events have any overlap, I'll laugh myself sick. In fact, the only thing they have in common, as far as I am currently aware, is that they are both in the Meat Packing District, which I usually avoid like the plague (non-New Yorkers, stop laughing right now).

[51stcenturyfox.livejournal.com]

I feel I should know what "Virgin Mary blue" is, but I don't. I still voted for it because you made me laugh.

That said, I'm very fond of sapphire blue and I think it would look good on you. (Uses White Collar blue dress icon.)

[rm.livejournal.com]

I think I've been living next to a botanica too long. It's, to me, the color of the robes on the little plaster statues they sell.

[nicoli-dominn.livejournal.com]

Yes, I know I contradicted myself a few times there, but whatever. I wholeheartedly (dis)agree with myself.

If you go with green, it should be a dark forest green or something with an olive tint (but not totally olive). If purple, something with a reddish persuasion. Or hey! If you can find something in one of those fabrics that looks like one color head-on but changes colors in the shadows, that would be cool. You could do purple and green. Like the Petrucci guitar paint job: http://www.music-man.com/instruments/guitars/john-petrucci.html

[marchek.livejournal.com]

It really depends on the venue. If the place is going to have really low lighting and you want to stand out a light color or a bright color would be the better option. If the interior decorated in bright colors then red (which you look fabulous in) wouldn't be seen as such a "look at me" option. Personally, I'm seeing you in tardis blue: http://www.trashydiva.com/site/indexSHOP.html

Regarding earrings, I don't think their absolutely necessary. Some sort of headpiece/barrette would suffice if you think that with your haircut that you absolutely need something. Piercing your ears is at least a six week committment and the day you want to put a suit on but can't take the earrings off you might want to scream.

[rm.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've been trying to figure out the timing of the re-piercing my ears so I don't get stuck with earrings for something that would cause me upset. I may do it right before Europe since I can't really be gender-variant at work while I'm there.

I have no sense of how either venue will be decorated (although lots of red is a legitimate risk for one that had not occurred to me), but think Meat-Packing District nightlife I normally avoid for both events. (I am so rolling my eyes at my high school).

[dr-is-in.livejournal.com]

Definitely rich jewel tones of either blue or purple. If you go red, go for a darker shade (maybe wine).

[ladyaelfwynn.livejournal.com]

Almost as important as the colors are the fabrics and the cut.

Do you want something shimmers, glows, shines, sparkles, or is matte and dress it up with accessories?

You've said you don't want to go strapless or with a one shoulder thing. That still leaves lots of options. You've got vast arrays of necklines, sleeve shapes, and skirts to deal with.

How long do you want the dress to be?

Do you like your arms? Do you want to show them off?

Do you like your hips and/or waist?

Is there any part of you, you want to minimize?

I like the idea of jewel tones, especially cranberry, maybe mixing some satin with some matte fabric. I'm thinking mostly matte, maybe one of the crepes to give it texture, with a horizontal pleated something at the waist in satin. Maybe some rhinestone detailing to add a touch of sparkle.

Good luck!

[rm.livejournal.com]

I want to show off the tattoo, which is on my shoulder blade, so I'm figuring halter.

As it's a cocktail party, length is not-really negotiable -- a cocktail dress is knee length as a rule.

I do like my arms. I mean, in general, I like my figure, so that all is good.

I don't want to look like I'm trying too hard. I also want to be the thing in the room no one can look away from. Tall, arrogant order, but I've done it before. It's just a matter of finding the how.

[pineapplechild.livejournal.com]

Damn, I bet you look great in a halter dress.

[austengirl.livejournal.com]

I thought back to the protfolio photos you posted awhile back and the colours of the shirts that looked good. I voted for purple in this poll, either an aubergine or royal purple. But I also think a burgundy red could look great, depending on the fabric.

[random-girl.livejournal.com]

They have some fabrics that look black in one light and red in another. I think this combo would flatter you greatly.

[kproche.livejournal.com]

OK, no fair. Multiple choice?
So I voted for black, both shades of blue and purple because I think any of them can look spectacular on you.

Well, they're also the most common colors in my wardrobe, but who's counting?

:-D

[wordweaverlynn.livejournal.com]

You're going to be gorgeous even if you show up in a Dunkin Donuts uniform. You have the presence to carry off anything you want.

As everybody else has said, you look great in jewel tones. Something with a little shimmer would be good, too.

Please post pics when you decide on an outfit.

[cythewriter.livejournal.com]

I dunno why, I've always had a thing for purple dresses, so I vote for purple!

[neadods.livejournal.com]

The boring but true answer is that it's extremely hard to go wrong with black, and you can so easily carry accessories to swap it from one look to another.

[canaana.livejournal.com]

Not sure what your budget or timeframe is, but www.cocomyles.com does custom and celebrity-inspired dresses that you can have made up in about any color or combination of colors. I used them for my bridesmaids dresses at my wedding, so I could get a consistent color in a whole bunch of different styles without going to separates. The quality's good, they're relatively inexpensive, and if you need a particular neckline or skirt form factor, it can be worth looking at. We measured according to the instructions and only had to have one alteration done--and it was moving a button on a halter neckline.

Regarding colors, you'd look smashing in midnight or royal blue as well as red. Do we get pictures, whatever you end up choosing?

[eandh99.livejournal.com]

Another good place to look for vintage styles is www.stopstaring.com. They have a few halter styles, some great reds.

[adelheid-p.livejournal.com]

I checked all the jewel tones and black. It depends on how daring you are willing to be color-wise and what's available in the stores. BTW, they still make clip on earrings.