Men's Second Style

No story this time. Don’t worry, we’ll all be fine.

Because sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, and an outfit is just an outfit. Which is not to say that “just” signifies anything diminished or less worthy in any sense, in this or any context. But, just as there’s nothing wrong with a fine cigar being what it is, there’s likewise nothing wrong with an outfit that’s well put together being what it is. Because, after all, a well put-together outfit is already more than the sum of its parts. I find myself exceptionally pleased with how this particular ensemble came together, and I hope you find something worthwhile here, too.

Let’s start with the shirt. After all, I’ve had this shirt waiting patiently (or perhaps not so patiently) in my inventory for what seems like ages, so it seems like a very good place to start. We’ve all seen open-necked, rolled-sleeve dressy shirts before, and will no doubt see more in the future, but this is a particularly fine interpretation. The fabric is rich with stripes in a blue that bends toward indigo and charcoal grey, edged with fine lines in a lighter grey that lends crispness and definition. The texture has a sheen that’s satiny, and wrinkle and fold shading looks soft and natural. Sculpted collar and rolled cuffs are of course to be expected, but no less handsome for being so. The cuffs are scripted for automatic resize; the collar is not. Male Shirt Stripe Blue by Leinad Constantine, L$150 at Opium (Opium LAD 132, 20, 22). Choose from four colors.

I rather thought I had seen it all, when it came to jeans. I’ve tried on (and bought) any number of other interpretations, many of them very good indeed. But these just go to show that there can indeed be something new under the sun. Jasper Potez’s Superior Jeans are, in a word, superior: they do indeed live up to their admittedly ambitious, even lofty name. Mesh clothing designs keep getting better and better, and this is definitely one of the more impressive I’ve seen. These jeans are naturally, elegantly shaped, with what looks like the real drape and fall of fabric—just look at the way the fabric lifts and scoops over your feet and shoes.  Although of course your own mileage may vary, here they look like they could have been made just for these shoes. The texture work is top-notch and makes excellent use of the higher resolution that’s possible on mesh items.

But, as the saying goes, wait!—there’s more. The jeans are touch scripted to let you customize the color of the belt’s leather strap and the finish of its metal buckle. You can also “turn on” and “turn off” visibility for the integrated keychain, phone, and handkerchief accessories. Keychain and handkerchief have several color options, although I certainly can’t imagine anyone using the color of their back-pocket handkerchief to, say, send any covert messages. As if all that weren’t enough, you can also choose to wear the jeans with either just-washed clean or slightly dirty cuffs. As with all mesh items, certain caveats apply. You’ll want to be sure to try on a demo before purchase, if for no other reason than to make sure that one of the included “fits” will work to your satisfaction with your preferred shape. L$449 each in your choice of 10 colors, or L$3499 for the fatpack. Not at all inexpensive, but worth it. Drop by JP Design [JP]:dsg (JP Isle 87, 164, 310) and check them out—you owe it to yourself.

The shoes are “Zag”, by Eponymous Trenchmouth. Although these dressy lace-ups are classy and even classic in design, close inspection reveals a bit of zigzag stitchwork across the toe that’s idiosyncratic, even whimsical, yet just right. If you know my opinion of Epo’s past creations, it might well go without saying that the prim construction is faultless, the texture work beautiful—and yet I shall say so, just the same. Even the soles have been painstakingly and realistically detailed. Epo takes a joy and pride in his work that is evident in his designs. Resize scripting makes fitting a snap. L$250 a pair, or L$500 for all four colors. Individual pairs can be purchased with Copy OK or Transfer OK permissions, so check the vendors carefully; the full pack comes with Copy OK, No Transfer permissions. Available at Jeepers Shoes (Shoes 185, 189, 38).