I think the model with the gold trim might suit his overall color scheme better than the one without, but by itself, i think the model without the trim is more aesthetically appealing.
@AS2IA, Look at the skirt, then look back at the wings. Color matching would help a lot. The skirt also has some sculpted trim, not just a line painted around it. The trim frames it, adds some design, etc.. To me that's what the wings need.
For me personally I just sculpt the basic curve with Clay Tubes and then use the Trim Dynamic and HPolish brush to give it the smooth edges. If you are using those brushes as you said but finding it muddy it is likely that you may be starting at a too high subdivision level. Make sure to work in layers, start with the…
@Spudnik I used masking to make an shape. Than in tool-deformations made and inflate-ballon out of inverted mask selection. After that I flattened the sides with flatten/trim-dynamic brush. Not the best method but it works :)