Using colors as words

Question

He was clad with white and silver bracelets.

Can we use colors such as white and use them as a substitute for other words like "white clothes"?

He was clad with white linen and silver bracelets.

I am thinking since we use material such as linen to substitute for other words like clothes, we could do the same with colors, but I am not sure.

In this particular example (the first one), it sounds to me like the bracelets are white and silver, so if that's not what you mean it should probably be rephrased — DM_with_secrets, May 23, 2020 at 18:57
I would say "hey was clad in white [clothes] and in silver bracelets" to disambiguate from the possibility of white+silver bracelets. — Daniel B, May 24, 2020 at 3:16
Yes, "white and silver bracelets" is easily misunderstood. Try "He was clad in white and adorned with silver" or "shone with silver" or "wore bracelets of silver" — Artelius, May 24, 2020 at 6:45

S. Mitchell · Accepted Answer · 2020-05-23 16:52:18Z

9

It is done already. Consider: He strode onto the pitch in freshly pressed whites. (Cricket)

'He was clothed in brown rags' doesn't mean he was actually wearing rags.

It is quite common to say something like: He was clad in white and silver.

Consider: She was resplendent in crimson and yellow.

answered May 23, 2020 at 16:52

S. Mitchell

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2

+1 Good points. I've never thought of it like that before.
– Acid Kritana
May 23, 2020 at 17:17
1

You said in four times and you never said with once. That part's kinda important.
– Mazura
May 24, 2020 at 6:09
1

@Mazura: In this context, "with" does not sound quite right. "In" is usual, so saying "clothed with" sound stilted. Might be appropriate when writing high fantasy mock-Arthurian, but you have to be very careful that you know what you're doing.
– Prime Mover
May 24, 2020 at 7:33

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