What would be some good antonyms for arresting? Arresting meant in a positive sense?

but.. but.. arresting *can be used in a positive sense.

Dear WW: I am assuming that you mean "arresting = catching and holding one's interest".
A word very popular fifty years ago, which I have neither heard or seen for a long time
might do:
banal ........ pronounced either "BAY nal" or as I prefer " ba Nahl"
adj.
5Fr < OFr, designating objects (such as ovens or mills) belonging to feudal serfs (hence common, ordinary) < ban, decree, legal control: see BAN16 dull or stale as

That's what I meant, dagnabbit, tsuwm! I meant arresting in the sense of being striking--in a positive sense. Not arresting in the sense of cops and robbers. I don't think you could say that someone's appearance had been arresting in a negative sense unless you were being ironic.

Now: What's a good antonym for arresting in the sense you knew I meant. Dagnabbit, again! Bunch of cool rows on this board.

weren't really trying to clown.. trying to say that arresting doesn't necessarily have any value judgment associated with it..

noticeable, observable, marked, conspicuous, prominent, outstanding, salient, remarkable, arresting, striking These adjectives mean attracting notice. Noticeable and observable both refer to something that can be readily noticed or observed: “His long, feminine eyelashes were very noticeable” (Joseph Conrad). The prowler's movements were observable from the window. What is marked is emphatically evident: a marked limp; a marked success. Conspicuous applies to what is immediately apparent and noteworthy: a conspicuous stain. “Conspicuous consumption of valuable goods is a means of reputability to the gentleman of leisure” (Thorstein Veblen). Prominent and outstanding connote a standing out, especially among others of a kind: the most prominent mountain in the range; the century's outstanding figures. What is salient is so prominent and consequential that it seems to leap out and claim the attention: “Defenders of the pit bull always seem to miss the salient point that it is the ferocity of the bite, not the number of bites, that has made the dog so feared today” (Sports Illustrated). Remarkable describes what elicits comment because it is unusual or extraordinary: “This story of Mongolian conquests is surely the most remarkable in all history” (H.G. Wells). Arresting applies to what attracts and holds the attention: one of Ellington's most arresting compositions. Striking describes something that seizes the attention and produces a vivid impression on the sight or the mind: The child bears a striking resemblance to his uncle. [AHD4]

Dear WW: I wouldn't use banal to describe a person. I'm trying to think of some of the words
I have seen used to describe the way spies avoid attracting attention, or having any memorable
dress or behaviour patterns. We had a word like that about animals with protective coloration,
but I can't remember it now.

Lyrics from "My Strongest Suit" (lyrics, Tim Rice; music, Elton John)--just for you, wwh:

"AMNERIS:
In life, one has to face a huge assortment
Of nauseating fads and good advice.
There's health and fitness, diet and deportment
And other pointless forms of sacrifice
Conversation? Wit? I am a doubter
Manners, charm, they're no way to impress
So forget the inner me, observe the outer
I am what I wear, and how I dress

Oh, now I believe in looking
Like my time on earth is cooking
Whether polka-dotted, striped ,or even checked
With some glamour guaranteeing
Every fiber of my being
Is displayed to quite remarkable effect
From your cradle via trousseau
To your death bed you're on view so
Never compromise accept no substitute
I would rather wear a barrel
Than conservative apparel
For a dress has always been
My strongest suit

GIRLS:
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere

AMNERIS:
Staying in or hitting townwards,
From the top and working downwards
I ensure that every stitch is stitched in time

GIRLS: Is stitch is stitched in time!

AMNERIS:
Whether wig or hat or turban,
Whether clad boudoir or urban
Not to strut your stuff outrageously is a crime

GIRLS: Such a crime!

AMNERIS:
And the few who are invited
To my wardrobe are delighted
As they wander through my things to find en route

GIRLS: They're wanderin' through your things!

AMNERIS:
That in negligee or formal
I am anything but normal
A dress has always been my strongest suit

GIRLS:
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere
Overwear, underwear, anytime, anywhere

AMNERIS: (Sung with chorus above)
I am what I wear, I say anytime, anywhere!

So bring me all my finest,
Most audacious, my divinest
Most revealing, most expensive and to boot

GIRLS:
Most revealing, most expensive, most arresting, !

AMNERIS: Most arresting, !

GIRLS: Most heart-stopping...

AMNERIS: Most heart-stopping!
Most free-flowing, most eye-popping
Most arresting, most heart-stopping yeah!
A dress has always been my strongest suit

GIRLS: I am what I wear

AMNERIS: My strongest suit!

GIRLS: I am what I wear

AMNERIS and GIRLS:
You know that I am what I wear!

AMNERIS:
A dress has always been my strongest suit!

So bring me all my finest,
Most audacious, my divinest
Most revealing, most expensive and to boot
Most arresting, most heart-stopping...
Most free-flowing, most eye-popping

A dress has always been my strongest suit! (I am what I wear)
My strongest suit! (I am what I wear)
You know that I am what I wear!
A dress has always been my strongest...
my strongest...
my strongest...
my strongest...
my strongest...
my strongest...
Suit!"

I love Dr. Bill's banal! Bland, dull, matte, pale, insignificant, placid, uninteresting, weak, unnoticeable, unmemorable, pallid, invisible, tenebrous, murky, obscure, insipid.

Ooooooooooo! Trying reworking the counterpart to those lyrics with tenebrous, Jackie!

A scornful putdown for timid female apparel could be "mousie of mousy".

Insipid?

boring?

(aside to maahey) careful, now, you don't want to turn Jackie into chopped liver automagically...

aaaaaaarrrrgh......Thanks AnnaS for the nudge....made me go back and read ALL Jackie's words. Oh well! I guess I am in for it now. Shall wait dolefully for her rant. Of course, there's a small chance she might not visit this thread again. Shall live in hope....

Nondescript?

Average? But averagage is too aveerage w word.Same for common.

revolting?

Ah! Et'! You've hit upon a very good antonym for the type of "arresting" I had in mind. Thanks!

Of course, there's a small chance she might not visit this thread again. Shall live in hope....
Maahey, you are hereby sentenced to 30 lashes with a wet noodle.

One big hug coming your way, oh merciful one!

...forgettable...unremarkable...