Reader recommendations: Winter’s last gasp

March 12th, 2008 at 02:26pm Ryan Darragh

Well, today it’s still most pleasantly warm and fine in Los Angeles, although not as hot as it has been.  But I’m in denial, or maybe it’s rebellion, and today I’m throwing a bone to Old Man Winter, who’s surely even now dreaming of staggering weakly to his icy bed for nine months of well deserved rest.  Or does he melt away into water and vapor, to be reborn in an icy blast of wind from the North at the stroke of midnight on the last day of Autumn?  Either way, here’s some cold-weather gear for you, recommended to me by Men’s Second Style readers just like you, by which of course I mean tasteful, discriminating, attractive, friendly, generous and helpful.  And that’s just for starters. 

In case you’re wondering, although recommended to me by others these designs do indeed pass the stringent and critical Ryan Test.  I’m being facetious, but this does mean that I took a look at the store ads, liked what I saw well enough to risk my own money, tried them on, liked what I saw then still more, and am pleased to recommend them to you.  If you’ve seen some great design work and you’re willing to risk your own reputation along with mine, let me know!  There’s no prize money involved, but you’ll be acknowledged here, unless you prefer to remain anonymous.

Via email, Armin recommends this Down Jacket for men by una Hultcrantz.  You get the jacket-layer quilted jacket, matching prim hood with fur trim, and neutral shirt-layer woven sweater.  The wool sweater is simple but nice enough to wear on its own, although it’s shirt-layer only and won’t work with anything other than full-height pants.  I like the jacket’s simple, classic styling, with high-visibility color bands crossing the chest and back, decorative shoulder patches and snappy two-tone sleeves.  The sweater and hood are Modify / Copy / No Transfer, so you can make the jacket more or less puffy and resize the hood if needed.  Permissions on the jacket are No Modify / No Copy / Transfer.  In addition to the Orange and Black style I’m wearing here, you’ll also find them in Sky Blue, Black and Green.  L$120 at Body Soul (AZABU JUBAN 161, 23, 23).  Also available styled for women.

Garth Goode dropped me a teasing notecard containing just a landmark and picture of the store poster for the BUKKA Short Boots by yano Hyun.  Even in the second-generation shapshot, the detailing that showed through was enough to get my attention.  Although no demo was available, I decided to take a chance and pick up a pair.  As you can see I decided on Brown, because the different leather and trim textures looked more varied and interesting to me in that moment, but they’re also available in Black (which might also end up in my inventory) and Beige.  The texture work on the boots is as good as it looked in the ads, with smooth but not shiny leather uppers, rougher and darker trim with sturdily stitched edges, bright brass hardware and multi-colored laces.  A buckled strap across the instep is an an unusual and even stylish touch,  and the soles are solidly treaded for sure footing while hiking across Svarga.

Large and small starting sizes are included, and permissions are Modify / No Copy / Transfer, so you shouldn’t have any trouble sizing to fit your avatar.  You also get prim socks, scripted to allow you to choose from several different textures at a touch.  These go pretty high, almost to the knee, and weren’t really my thing, but others may enjoy them.

Available for L$250 a pair at BUKKA (Baleful 74, 80, 31).

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

Notes: On Ryan: "Adam" skin by Hart Larsson (PXL Creations). "Maxwell" hair by Truth Hawks (TRUTH). Fierce Denims by Rahsus Kronos (Urban Underground).

Entry Filed under: BUKKA, Body Soul, Boots, Casual, Coats, Jackets