Countrymen, lend me your eyes!

Okay, I realize that's a bit fancy of a title for yet another costume help request. It seemed appropriate!

This time, I actually have a costume that I'm almost happy with. The only thing I'm really stubbed on here is the 'underneath' area. So, bearing in mind that there's really no current concept to this other than 'I like how that looks', here's what I've gone through so far in an attempt to find a solution that I like.

Here, we have the "Bare" setup. There's nothing beneath the outfit, or at least nothing visible. I like the 'clean' feel of this - but it does feel like it's missing something. (Clearly!)

So, the next step was to go through the options and find something to fill that void. Here, we have a simple Bridal top while the legs are left bare. My only complaint with this one is that the top is 'supposed' to match the skirt - and it doesn't, creating a little clash in my eyes (even if you can't color the top like you can the skirt.. and how about some Bridal/Deluxe Pants with the Bridal/Deluxe Tux designs? I'd go for those.). Maybe it's just me?

Moving on again, we have the Excess Plus version. The top, I think I like, but the bottom seems to clash between the black boots, and the red skirt. Maybe I should look at a different color?

This one is the Hearts Plus version, which is the one I'm currently using for the character. Again, though, I can't help but feel that it does clash a bit with the 'outer' wear.

Finally, for the moment, there's a Variation on the above that I'm looking at. I really can't explain this one. For some reason, it seems like it's worth considering further.

I've tried a few of the more 'tame' options, such as dress shirts, etc.. but they, too, seem to clash horribly. More so than any the above, if that seems possible.

Thoughts? I'll be adding more, possibly, as I find them, though given the options I'm currently looking at, it already feels like I'm going to be chasing my own tail for a while.

Choice two I think is the best. It might not 'match' but it definitely is the most normal looking of the bunch.

The first one is a bit... Well, bare. Third one looks a bit wonky at the neckline and lower body, Four doesn't really go well with the formal dress, and the last one with fishnet bottoms isn't much of a difference. That 2nd one, however, looks the best out of all of them, as the whole thing fits together as a 'formal' outfit.

There are a couple of things you can do here, depending on which direction you go.

Firstly, you can go with what appears to be a pattern that I can see - under and over outfits. The way you have most of your examples set up, you have a clear distinction between the underdress and the overdress. The underdress is lacy and covered with nets and meshes, a bit provocative, if you will. The overdress is conservative, ornate and formal, if not a little parade. You also have a nice distinction between under and over in terms of colour. If you go this path, though, there are a few things I'd like to say.

First and foremost, I like the last option the best. It looks like one continuous underdress, and it concentrates its details such that they make a point. Hearts Plus under a skirt has the heart cut in half and that kills its effect. If I were designing, I'd go for the last. But...

To have a consistent underdress, you'll probably want to have the boots and the gloves as part of the same "layer." Currently, the gloves look like they belong to the tux, whereas the boots definitely belong to the underwear, as it were. Colouring the boots white may be a bit... Much, but perhaps you could colour the gloves black? Or would that ruin your look?

That aside, I'd either brighten up the tux and skirt, or brighten up the underdress. However, I like how the black underdress blends in with your body such that it isn't obvious, so I'd leave that black and go for a brighter tuxedo. Maybe a brighter red would do, or maybe some kind of a brighter brown. Personally, I'd look for a cold colour. You have yellow, red and black on this costume, and that makes it a bit... Monochromatic. Picking a green or a blue of some hue may change that. All that is to say that I'm looking for more of a contrast between the overdress and the underdress such that you can tell the intent behind making them separate. My brain fails when I try to think of colours that won't be too bright, but perhaps some kind of petrol-dark cyan might keep your overall brightness while introducing some contrast.

That aside, you can go with option 2, which is to match the whole thing as one big costume with just one layer of stuff. When it comes to that, I'd pick the bare, honestly. To me, it looks the most aesthetically pleasing, and not only because it's bare. It has a certain mix of clever simplicity and intricate design. You have pieces with a lot of graphic detail in them, but as used, they are separated in several large chunks. It's as if you used detail to paint several pieces, then bolted them together over a bare frame. The immediate impression it gives is one of obvious simplicity. When you look at that costume, you're not overwhelmed by detail, but rather greeted with costume that's easy to comprehend. Only on a second look do you notice all the fine engravings and little highlights. Frankly, underdress options destroy that effect quite completely as far as I'm concerned.

If you must have an "under" chest piece, however, I'd advise you to tie it into the tux's colour scheme. Colour it either dark red or gold to make it appear to fit with the skirt and preserve the flow. You want a costume that's obvious, and that requires that it be separated in larger pieces. I'd say one of the Wedding pieces coloured one of your primary colours would work just fine. Whatever you do, AVOID using a neck line. This sets a clear, grating difference between underdress and overdress, which then mandates you carry it through. If you're looking for a one-layer costume, it's imperative whatever lower layers you put on match the upper layer in look and style. Come to think of it, a simple Tights With Skin top that covers your waist but doesn't top over the tux would be fine, as well.

That's about all I can come up with. If I have to be quite honest, I'm not much of any fan of thigh-high stilettos and skirts, so I realise my overview of designs that include them may be... Off, but it's the best I can do

I hope that helps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Arcanaville Samuel_Tow is the only poster that makes me want to punch him in the head more often when I'm agreeing with him than when I'm disagreeing with him.

I actually think the "bare" version is the best. Anything else seems to distract from the rest of the outfit, and there's plenty going on with her already.

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I actually think the "bare" version is the best. Anything else seems to distract from the rest of the outfit, and there's plenty going on with her already.

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I agree, or I might try a black athletic top under it and see how that works

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I actually think the "bare" version is the best. Anything else seems to distract from the rest of the outfit, and there's plenty going on with her already.

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This is actually what was settled on. I'll post the newest versions in a little while, though they aren't terribly different from one another.

Oh good, let's see em!


Goodness I love those new options though. But I like them as the final product, instead of as the undergarments.