Style description in a fiction book -- what do you think?

I came across this description of two cousins' style in the book "The Season of Second Chances" by Diane Meier, and found it so interesting:

"The Grant cousins looked rather alike, or perhaps they just dressed alike and had the same mannerisms. They tended to ample cardigans and pull-on pants in muted earth tones. Their shoes were always devastatingly wrong; solid pumps worn with slacks, or sandals and socks under an Indian cotton skirt. Occasionally, they would express themselves with a hand-loomed scarf of vivid color and hugely misplaced creativity, or a piece of craft-fair jewelry that tended to the visual pun. One had a pin with Grant's and Lee's silhouettes wrought of silver. Another counted an Abe Lincoln-in-repeat [they are history professors!] necklace as a fashion statement.

"Their shoes were always devastatingly wrong; solid pumps worn with slacks.." and "scarf of...hugely misplaced creativity..." When you read those, what comes to mind -- what do you think the author is describing?

13 years ago

Kristin L

Veteran

They sound like some professors I've seen walking around campus.

Ana

(website)

This passage is about characterization. The impression I get is these women are not fashion forward, but not because they don't want to be. They border on being socially awkward, yet they want to fit in. They just don't really know how. They're conservative, bordering on frumpy and they like to be comfortable. They are quirky but not any kind of way others would find interesting. They march to the beat of their own drum, but again, not in any kind of way that inspires others to follow suit.

Debby

Active Member

Thanks for your answers. I guess I am not asking my question clearly -- I was wondering what was "devastatingly wrong" about solid pumps with slacks (to make sure I don't do it!) and what makes a hand-loomed scarf "hugely misplaced creativity?" I don't have one of these scarves, but I'm guessing that the author means that the scarf looks like a homemade craft project rather than a unique artsy statement?

catgirl

I think by solid the author means chunky (Danskos!) rather than solid in color? This whole description makes them sound awkward and stodgy to me.

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