Outside the box: Menlosophy [i]

June 19th, 2009 at 04:29pm Ryan Darragh

You’ve heard it.  So have I.  People complain not just about the relative dearth of menswear designs in SL (in comparison to the vast selection available for women, and although I suffer no shortage of fine items to feature here I think this is still generally true), but about the “sameness” we often see as well.  (Sometimes it seems like everyone with Photoshop and a Wacom tablet has a shop selling jeans, tees and polos.)  They want something interesting, fresh, original–”outside the box.”  Hey, I’ve been known to join in that chorus myself.  I’m a big fan of contemporary casual clothing, too, but within that fairly broad category it seems like there should be more room for exploration.

With their new collection at Menlosophy, design partners Amanda Bolero and ziamela Loon push the envelope and stretch the boundaries more than just a bit.  Sure, much of the collection qualifies as “contemporary casual”–what’s not to love?–but few of any of the designs are simple or ordinary.  One of my favorite pieces is the Velvet jacket, shown here in Verde.  Velvet seems to me like it would be an especially difficult fabric texture to pull off successfully in SL.  To be convincing, it has to look like it has not just sheen but some depth as well.  It has to look rich.  Here, all my wishes have come true.  The velvet fabric appears to be based on photosourced elements, but doesn’t look like a garment crushed up against a pane of glass (that “crispy” look I tend not to favor).  The broad lapels are embroidered in what appears to be metallic silver thread.  Sculpted cuffs and upturned collar are stylish and dramatic.  The neutral grey (and tintable) turtleneck is included.  L$275.

Plenty of designers have put their personal touch on the wardrobe staple I’ll call the Deeply Open Shirt.  Here, as part of the Markus outfit, you see another interpretation.  Although there’s no actual transparency, the fabric of the Markus shirt looks and somehow “feels” as though it’s sheer.  And then of course there are the four or five buttons that have been left strategically unbuttoned–this time the plunging neckline isn’t reserved exclusively for the ladies!  Prim pieces include pushed-up sculpted cuffs, slightly askew popped collar, dressy knotted scarf, and shirt hem that seems to be fluttering in a slight breeze.  Fitting the collar and scarf for wear at the same time is challenging, unless you aren’t bothered by some slight prim intersections.  The coordinating Markus pants are nicely done, with impressive detail and fabric texture work.  I thought the sculpted slouchie cuffs were odd, though.  I fussed with them for a while but couldn’t come up with a look that worked for me, so I decided to go without.  They may work better for you.  L$300 for the outfit.

Although many if not most of the Menlosophy clothing designs would look great with dressy shoes, I decided to have some fun “dressing down” a bit with the casual Robert Shoes in various styles.  The style I’m wearing here is called Bottega Veneta, which I suspect is a nod to the famous Italian maker of upscale leather goods–the leather texture here emulates BV’s Intrecciato woven leather.  My partner saw these over my shoulder and said, “Wow, those look good!  In fact, they look so good I might just delete [these other shoes] from my inventory.  I’d probably never wear them again.”  I myself would probably never go that far–I keep stuff around pretty much forever, even if only for reference–but these are indeed good-looking shoes.  The sculpted laces are neatly tied and very spiff looking, but for some reason I especially like the big, puffy tongues.  L$200 a pair.

Most prim components are resize scripted for your fitting convenience.  Many clothing items are available in colors other than those shown here, and many designs are sold both individually and as part of an outfit, so take a look around before making your purchase.

Available at Menlosophy (Olivine Island 240, 86, 32).  You can open your own Menlosophy shop by becoming a member of the Menlosophy Affiliate Program–contact Mimi Juneau inworld for details.

Check back early next week for Part II of my Menlosophy coverage.  There was just too much to cram into a single reasonably sized post!  Plus, this way you can have some fun shopping over the weekend.  You know you want to! 

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

Notes: On Ryan: "Vivant Buff" skin by CJ Carnot (Fleur). "Akami" hair by Maddox DuPont (MADesigns).

Entry Filed under: Casual,Designer Reviews,Dressy,Jackets,Menlosophy,New Items,Outfits,Pants,Shirts,Shoes