True, but in the dark area beneath the wheel arches I see the metal bits more than I see the black bits! To my eyes, the space under the wheel arches is filled more by bigger wheels even though there's less black 'meat' around them. It's a shallow style preference though, no doubt about it.But by your own admission you are choosing form over function.
Given that the overall size of 16" wheels (and the corresponding tyres) are exactly the same size as 17s, and 16s have more "meat" on them - I'd be inclined to regard the 17s as rather scrawny. Even bigger wheels would look positively anorexic to me.