New: Fall-to-winter layered sweaters, pants @ Relika + Dressy-casual ankle boots @ JCS
At the risk of reinforcing my admitted bias toward menswear that may best be described as “preppie,” I want to share with you these new sweaters and pants by Relika Itamae. Although Relika has been creating women’s fashions for some time, this is her first menswear item. Relika says, “The Lucas Collection is indeed my first set for men. I have been told by some of my male friends that I should do men’s items, too, so I decided to give it a try and had much fun making [these].  I am definitely planning more men’s items in the future. Suggestions are always welcome, of course!Â
”  Her new “Lucas Collection” includes layered sweaters in six different colors paired with pants in three colors: Fall Leaf and Green Shimmer sweaters with Brown Country pants; Dark Grey and Navy Blue sweaters with Classic Light Grey pants; and Cherry and  Turquoise sweaters with Classic Black pants.
Each sweater, provided on the jacket layer, is layered over a simple untucked shirt that shows slightly at the collar and below the sweater’s ribbed hem. Although the shirt adds a nice sense of fit and finish, the main attraction really is the sweater. The colors Relika has chosen are rich and jewel-like, and the highlighting and shading provide a beautiful, opulent sheen–a great design choice that makes an otherwise classic and simple design into something special. Look closely and you’ll see a subtle crosshatch design in the weave. As the owner and wearer, you’ll be glad to know that they look great from the back, too. Permissions on the sweaters are Copy / No Modify / No Transfer.
The pants have nicely defined creases as well as some wrinkling and slight, realistic fading at wear points–check the knees in the picture at left. Although this detailing shows up more clearly on the Light Grey pants shown here, it’s also present on the darker pants. Although it doesn’t show with these untucked sweaters that fall over the waistband, the pants have a simple belt, so they’re suitable for neat wear with tucked-in shirts as well. Permissions on the pants are Modify / Copy / No Transfer.
“The Lucas Collection” is priced at L$200 per set (in color combinations as described above) or L$500 for the pack of all three sets.
Available at Relika (Eventide Far East 77, 185, 4).
For those of you keeping score at home, the spiff shoes I’m wearing are the new ”Oslo” by Eponymous Trenchmouth. These are actually ankle boots, which at this low height don’t require a lower-leg attachment, and feature a buckled strap across the instep and an elastic side inset.  As always, Epo’s textures are detailed and so beautiful that you just want to sink into them and stay all day. I find these boots an interesting combination of dressy and casual, with truly classy lines that will dress up a fairly casual outfit and sturdy contrasting stitch detailing that’s very down-to-earth.
Available in four colors: Black, Brown, Grey and Tan; priced at L$400 a pair or L$900 for the pack of all four. Smaller and larger sizes are included, and there’s an optional “power walk” animation override to give you a confident, manly swagger. Be sure to check the shoe lining for a handy street map of Oslo, just in case you’re ever lost there. You never know.Â
You can pick these up at JCS (Jeepers Creepers Shoes) (Tean 236, 80, 25) at the JCS shop at Second Guy Mall (Sweetgrass 86, 104, 262).
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