The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-10-31
Dress and the Complexion.
| Art Amatet

Art Amateur.
Compilations require the colors that en-
force their peculiar excellence and render
weaknesses and shortcomings less observa-
BILE. Blue suits the blonde, but is inimical
to blue or b~luish-gray eyes; and, while it
enriches golden hair, is liable to exaggerate
a tinge of yellow in the complexion. How
is a lady to reconcile these conditions?
White should separate the blue from direct
contact with the skin, and then a bright gold
chain or brooch will keep down any slightly
yellow hue in the neck, as the hair will in
the face. The eyes, if they have any light,
flash or sparkle in them, will then take care
of themselves. The way to lower any tint
that is excessive in the face is to bring a
strong color of the same class in close prox-
unity to it, but it is not always a desirable
remedy, and it is only necessary to resort to
it when the dress is not quite suited to the
complexion. Pink is only fitted for the
young. 1t is a charming color, and those
whom it suits look very graceful in it. The
pale, the sickly and those of an olive hue
had better avoid it. White is similar in its
conditions. 1t sets off to perfection a healthy,
happy young face, but deepens the sadness
of a sad or sick1y one.
Titan constantly brings white into con-
tact with the deep glowing healthy com
plexions he delighted to paint, and then has,
either as the principal drapery, or close at
hand. the richest crimson In considerable
QUdfIllN, DQO Ill mOulQ OS IOO MA
actual American life, and, if it were not, the
American complexion would hardly sustain
the splendor. Our brunettes, and even those
whose complexion approaches an olive, must
be content with soberer harmonies. But the
principle is there. These are compilations
that require deep rich tones and colors, with
points of decided contrast. Maroon is apt to
bring out any latent green in the skin, and
therefore can rarely be placed in contact
with it. The interposition of white is some
times sufficient to counterfeit the tendency.
If insufficient, emeralds or other green orna-
ments may be advantageously tried.
A hOrid complexion is rendered more
ford by green. To take an extreme illus
%tration, if such a thing were conceivable as
a lady with a red nose, her keenest rival
could not desire anything worse than that
on some momentous occasion she should
wear a green dress. On the other hand, an
excess of red may be counteracted by a
crimson dress. or crimson or red near the
face: but this last, though it is a common in
junction, must not be accepted without eau
ton. Red will not always cure. and some
fines seems to deepen, excess OF red In a
face-a result, however, due to other ele-
ments besides the red in the skin. Black,
again. seldom agrees with a ford complexion,
but accords better with a fair and rudy
face than with a dark and rudy one.
With a clear, light, rosy complexion a sill
yer or pearly gray h~armonizes admirably.
But the gray tints will be found to suit most
compilations, partly because they form SO
good a ground for any strong color that may
be required by the character of the complex-
ion or the color of the hair, but also because
from their variety it is comparatively easy to
find a suitable tone. But the suitable tone
is important. We have just said, for in
stance, that a silver or pearly gray harmonizes
with a clear. light, rosy complexion, but such
a gray would inevitably reveal any lurking
- a-l JAa,ot, n cliub tlu AncIyur hDn
A pale complexion. if healthy and nat
ural, is improved by black. But black does
not become the paid, or the pale and dark.
Ii employed by them, it will requires skill