Casual elegance for summer:

Common Thread by meriwell Faddoul

August 6th, 2008 at 07:33pm Ryan Darragh

If you’ve been searching for the perfect casual wardrobe for summer, you may need look no further than Common Thread by meriwell Faddoul.  I didn’t know what to expect when I made my first visit to meriwell’s shop, but the clean designs and gelato-bar color palette brought back memories of Don Johnson in “Miami Vice.”  In the best possible way, of course!

I’ll start with simple and classic.  The Threads Button Tee (L$100) has a button-up front, collar and chest logo, so for my money it’s more polo than tee.  I’m not going to quibble, though.  It’s available in a handful of colors, and shown here in Green and White.  Here and throughout I’m also wearing meriwell’s Light Linen Trousers (L$100).  The fabric has a delicate crosshatch texture, and meriwell mentioned that he left off the side seam because he preferred the softer, casual feel that provided.  Three styles are included: belted, unbelted, and tapered at the ankle for wear with sculpted cuffs.

A bit more elaborate are the Open Shirt and Tank sets (L$100 each).  Shown here is the “Tequila Sunrise” set, which includes a jacket-layer open-front shirt in dark, subdued Purple and a simple tank top in brighter but still restrained Orange–think orange sherbet rather than Tang and you’ll have the right idea.  The open shirts have an attractive drape, realistic shading and gleaming color-matched buttons.  The tanks are cleanly detailed and very slightly sheer.  They’re included on jacket, shirt and undershirt layers, so they can be worn tucked or untucked.  Several sets are available, with different color pairings.

The Buttoned Pullover (L$100) is a classic henley-style shirt, with no collar and five-button closure.  The fabric’s weave shows a pattern of vertical lines in relief, more subtle than ribbing, and it’s easy to make out the rolled hem at the neckline.  One of my favorite shirts in RL is a forest-green henley very much like these, although made from a rough-textured, nubby fabric.  I have a burgundy shirt made from fabric similar to this, but honestly meriwell’s shirts look nicer.  Available in several different colors; shown here in Purple and Dusk.

For a slightly dressier look, suitable for a pleasant al fresco dinner at a fine (although perhaps not formal) restaurant, I recommend the Blazer and Top set (L$200).  Upon closer inspection, the blazer’s vertical stripes turn out to be a fine herringbone pattern.  The included top (available separately as the Lounging Shirt, L$90) has a shallow V-neck trimmed with bright white and particularly effective fold and wrinkle shading at the elbows and wrists.  Several different color combos are available; the blazer is shown here in Brown with the Sandstone shirt.  The lounging shirts can be worn tucked or untucked and look great on their own; with this skin and hair I especially like it in Peach.

I think the Dodge Notch Collar Shirts (L$65) made one of the faster leaps in recent memory to the top of my Personal Favorites list.  The notched collar suggests the design of a Nehru jacket, always near and dear to my heart, and the detailed fabric looks rich yet slightly rough, perhaps raw silk or something similar.  I’m impressed by the overall quality of the fabric texture work here, but this shirt stands out.  Of the available colors, I probably like Moss (shown here) the best, closely followed by Gunmetal.  Wear tucked or untucked, as you prefer.  The long lines of the untucked shirt work especially well.

All permissions are Modify / No Copy / Transfer.  I don’t usually comment on prices beyond reporting them, but I’ll make an exception in this case to observe that meriwell’s prices seem very reasonable for quality clothing executed with care.  All designs available at Common Thread (Electrum 151, 233, 24).  I noticed several items for the ladies, too, and you’ll find a couple of freebie items near the entrance.

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The necklace I’m wearing here is the new Quartz Crystal Pendant by Faery Sola.  The clear crystal is suspended from a simple leather thong by a beautifully sculpted setting of precious metal with semi-precious stone accent.  Here the setting is in gold, highlighted with an encircling band of amber.  Note the tiny wire coiled around the thong at the top of the pendant.  L$120 each, or L$200 in a set with matching earrings.  Available at Studio Sidhe (Chocolate Orange 40, 164, 28).

Photographed on location at Emvee Cuba (Metaversatility 54, 194, 399).

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Most | Friends List: No

Notes: On Ryan: "Daniel" skin by Simple Spad (Mirror Image). "Anji" hair by Din Raymaker (Uncleweb Studio). Boho Sandals by Fallingwater Cellardoor (Shiny Things).

Entry Filed under: Casual, Common Thread, Designer Reviews, Jackets, Jewelry, New Items, Outfits, Pants, Shirts, Studio Sidhe