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!

[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.

[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).

[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.

[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.

[chaos-by-design.livejournal.com]

Aha! It all becomes clear.

[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!

[dulcinbradbury.livejournal.com]

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

[pantryslut.livejournal.com]

Ditto.

[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.

[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.

[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.)

[wcg.livejournal.com]

This is pretty much exactly what I was going to suggest. Black dress or deep jewel tone blue, green, garnet, sapphire, etc...

[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.

[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).

[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).

[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.