Sartoria: Suits of Distinction or Decadence

September 23rd, 2008 at 10:28pm Ryan & Oh

It’s not often that Mr. Oh and I have the opportunity to get out and tear around inworld together, wreaking havoc as we go. (Living on opposite sides of the “real world” will have that effect.) I am somewhat saddened by this.

—Well, thank you, Ryan; most kind of you to say, although there are those who might argue that, all things considered, it’s for the better that our teamwork is limited by the realities of geography and time zones and…

Let’s let the good readers judge that for themselves, my friend. After all, it was all in good fun.

—Well certainly on my part, of course, but…

The evening started off well enough. At Mr. Oh’s suggestion, we headed out first to Bogart’s, a popular dance establishment where gentlemen and ladies can meet and mingle without undue restriction. The bar was a thing of beauty, and to my great delight I found that the Martinis were no less so. The old-school bartender probably served drinks to my grandfather, and he knew how to make a properly proportioned Martini–five to one, thank you very much, thoroughly shaken (none of this sissy stirring for me), and not one, not two, but three olives.

—Three? He gave you three? I only…

As I was saying, the evening started off very well indeed. There were lovely ladies, there was lively conversation, there was dancing, there were more Martinis all around, there was general revelry. A good time was had by all. We only took our reluctant leave when Mr. Oh inadvertently found himself involved in some sort of fracas regarding one of the German lasses he had spotted across the dance floor. Apparently her marital status turned out to be not what he had been led to believe. It was most unfortunate.

—Nonsense, Ryan, old man. You make too much of that, we don’t actually know WHAT that foreign chap was shouting about or what his gestures meant. It’s just that the siren call of other destinations was clear and irresistible. The night was young and the grid was our…

Indeed. Our next stop was Franks Place, with its stunning Deco architecture and furnishings and its, shall we say, most pleasantly agreeable clientele. We met and conversed with a group of charming women who this time were most assuredly of the single persuasion–I checked quite carefully…

—Although perhaps not as subtly as you might have done.

I only wish that I could remember more details of the time we spent there; the Martinis had by now had their full effect, and I was perhaps not at my most attentive. Perhaps it was this that led to the mild altercation between Mr. Oh and myself. As I recall, it had something to do with female attentions being paid to one of us, but not the other.

—Jealous? Moi? Nonsense, that was a slap on the back is all; a mere gesture of camaraderie… and if you’d been holding those bottles more securely, they wouldn’t have…

I distinctly remember a heated…

—… though politely hushed…

…conversation…

—held an immaculately discreet distance from the dance floor and lounge.

In any case, one or two mild epithets may have been used. I may or may not have made a colorful hand gesture, myself. Such a minor thing, really–such things occur between gentlemen all the time.

—Quite so. Why we attracted the special attention of Security is beyond me.

It seemed an entirely appropriate time to make a fresh start. We departed and made our way to The Purple Rose, hoping that our reputations had not somehow preceded us. (There does seem to be some sort of mystical communication network to which all doormen and bouncers belong.) The Rose is appointed with great opulence, more formal ballroom than jazz club, and the ladies there were of equal refinement. Unfortunately, the waltz is not my strong suit…

—Never was a truer word spoken.

…and I fear that my humor this late in the evening, and after lo these many Martinis, may have veered somewhat from the subtle.

—Which somehow reminds me, the Gent’s rooms at the Purple Rose are magnificently appointed as well…

Our charming companions eventually drifted away, albeit not without longing backward glances, and we found ourselves alone in one another’s company. In truth, after all the evening’s hustle and bustle, I found the respite quite calming and even restful.

—Um. Yes. Your gin-induced relaxation was both visible and loudly audible, old stick.

At this point, Mr. Oh and I parted ways. It was my understanding that he intended to make his way home in order to sleep off his binge, but he may well have other stories to tell.

—Hmpf. “Binge” indeed! The reality, breathtaking though it was to a gentleman as myself, will not seem much of a tale to you, I fear. I deftly plucked the sweetest and most stunning of roses out of the arms of the accountant with whom she had arrived and made off with her back to Bogart’s where we both kept our eyes quite open and very much on each other till the band were exhausted.

I, however, felt an invigorating second wind blowing, and decided to carry on. Now flying solo, I made my way to the Constellation Lounge on the SS Galaxy, Queen of the Sagittarian Sea, which must surely be SL’s largest cruise ship–it spans three sims! Wholly unconcerned with details such as tonnage and displacement, I stationed myself strategically and awaited the flood of attention that was all but guaranteed to come my way. A dashing gentleman such as myself, at an upper-crust establishment, immaculately attired, and alone at that–how could I miss?

Alas, it seemed that Fate was working against me. Not one of the few women who made brief appearances so much as glanced in my direction, and the bartender, although professional and attentive, seemed immune to my wiles. The disappointment was like ashes in my mouth.

Much as I like and admire Mr. Oh, and enjoy his company, I still believed fervently that I was destined to fare better, romantically speaking, without him than with. How could it be otherwise? The problem on this particular evening was really quite clear: I was simply frequenting the wrong establishments. With the light of that revelation shining down upon me from the heavens, I departed immediately for the strange and unusual Muschi Lounge at the fantastic, provocative Hotel Dare. There, I thought it highly likely that I would enjoy a friendly-plus encounter with a member of the fairer sex–and, with luck, avoid any annoying discussions involving boring repetitions of the word “scoundrel.”

My hopes were met, my expectations exceeded. She told me that her name was Cougar, which I took to be her stage or professional name; I would not have been surprised had she been called Vixen. Cougar’s ardor was equalled only by her adept technique, and she soon had me right where I wanted to be. She noticed but seemed wholly unperturbed by what she called the “tan mark” (as she so charmingly termed it) left behind by my wedding ring, which it seemed I had inadvertently left behind at home. In such sparkling company, it comes as no surprise that the hours passed both sweetly and oh, too rapidly, until I realized that it was late, quite late indeed. When I made my most reluctant departure, I believe I heard the clock tolling three. Sometimes, sadly, when the clock tolls, it tolls indeed for me.

—Let me see… at that hour I will have been… Ah yes, still with my rare and delectable rose, in turns thrilling and amusing her with my wit and wisdom. Or is that the other way ’round? In any case, I can assure you, my friend, I was a complete gentleman and took not the slightest advantage of this enchanted specimen, as SOME might have…

Good readers (and patient, to have followed along with our adventures), I assure you wholeheartedly that I have no idea to what Mr. Oh alludes, however charmingly he may do so.  I think it’s more than fair to observe that a most enjoyable evening was had by all.  There was good company, there was magnificent atmosphere, there were multiple wardrobe changes–what more could a gentleman wish for?  Here’s to many more like it, assuming we’re ever allowed back in at Franks Place.

And Cougar, on the off chance that you’re reading this…I’m sure it’s just an honest mistake, but the phone number you gave me doesn’t seem to work.  Call me?

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Sartoria by traveller Bade features an eclectic collection of formal, dressy and casual wear for men.  Our emphasis here is mostly on traveller’s suits, both dressy and formal.  I think virtually any stylish gentleman who peruses the design offerings at Sartoria will find something to love and take home.

At Bogart’s, Ryan is wearing “Diamond” (L$700), a classic silver-grey tux. The set includes open jacket with skirt-layer extension, pants, and two different shirts: a traditional crisp white with black bowtie, studs and front pleats, and a more contemporary black-on-black shirt with a subtle floral print.

Mr. Oh is wearing a related outfit in deep red, called “Republic” (L$700) which also is comprised of an open jacket with skirt-layer extension and two different bow-tied shirts: one in matching red and the other in white.

At Franks Place, Ryan is wearing traveller’s Pinstripe Suit in Espresso while Mr. Oh sports Pinstripe Suit in Blue (L$900 each). These jackets are included in three styles: open, single-breasted closed, and double-breasted closed. I’m wearing my jacket open, while Mr. Oh has opted to wear his closed. Matching pants and two white dress shirts with different neckties complete the sets. The stripes are narrow but widely set, which makes for a bold look that works well on the SL avatar–more closely set stripes would likely suffer greater distortion in different poses, possibly lessening the suit’s appeal.

At The Purple Rose, Ryan is wearing “Contender” (L$700), a tux in beautiful, deep shades of blue. As with “Diamond,” in addition to pants and jacket with skirt-layer extension, you get two different coordinating shirts. One has a trim wing collar and showy front ruffles that remind me of my senior-year high school yearbook photo (everything old is new again). The other is far, far subtler, with blue-on-black print fabric that almost looks solidly colored until you take a closer look.

Mr. Oh, meanwhile, is wearing “Ambassador” (L$700), lovely and sandy-brown. It’s strong enough and soft enough to accomodate friends falling asleep. As well as a simple white tux shirt and bow-tie, you also get one with beautiful beige-on-cream coloured print.

At the Constellation Lounge, Ryan is wearing the “Milano” suit (L$600). The broad weave of the charcoal-grey cloth is shot through with lighter threads. The result is a bold, challenging fabric texture that I think is beautiful but may not work well for you if any of your AO’s poses are at all extreme–these may “torture” the fabric texture by stretching and distorting it unattractively. The set includes jacket with skirt-layer extension, pants, and one shirt with necktie.

For his swan song at Muschi Lounge, Ryan is wearing the decidedly more casual “Neo Ex” outfit (L$250). This is a simpler set, just jacket-layer shirt and jeans, but there’s nothing plain about it. Both pieces are richly, even elaborately textured. Fine embroidery decorates the shirt front, and the jeans are lovingly faded but only fashionably worn. The shirt could be worn independently, but the low-rise jeans include part of the shirt’s texture at the top, so wearing them with other shirts may be hit-or-miss.

Mr. Oh elected to go solo first in another suit in the traveller’s pinstripe series, Banker Black Pinstripe (L$900). Again, three different styles of jackets with skirts, trousers and two white shirts with different ties. But he switched to “Roma” tuxedo (L$700), also in black with two different matching shirts, after spilling some red wine he could neither pronounce nor afford (fortunately, Suzi had lifted the accountant’s wallet en route to Mr. Oh).

Permissions on all items are Modify / No Copy / Transfer.

All of these items except the “Milano” suit are available at the Mimi’s Choice menswear shop. Mimi Juneau is the force of nature behind Mimi’s Choice, and she was gracious, charming, and so much more than helpful as Mr. Oh and I worked on putting this feature together. Mimi is available in her men’s and women’s shops a good portion of every day, and she’s always happy to answer questions, provide styling assistance and recommendations, or otherwise serve her customers.

The complete Sartoria line is available at Strider’s Men’s Shop.

A selection of Sartoria freebies is available: red and white boxers, tintable flexi tie, prim pin, and a set of three casual zip jackets.

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

Notes: On Ryan: Random skin by Garbage Prototype (Random). "Jin" hair by Din Raymaker (Uncleweb Studio). Kalico Neko Ears by Kenny Sleeper (Kalico Kreations). Neko tail by Zoe Llewelyn (Jungle Voodoo). "Gallop" shoes by Maris Kanto (Kalnins). On Mr Oh: Nora Entice - Hunter Cinnamon by Sezmra Svarog (Nora BodySkins & Fashion). "Perry" hair in silver-grey by Truth Hawks (Truth). "Monocle!" by Brodrick Kubert (BroGear). Hand-Drawn Wingtips in Black, Brown and Oxblood by Barnesworth Anubis (Barnes Boutique). On Posy: "Tuesday Honey - Pink Portia" skin by Annyka Bekkers (Blowpop). "Hive" hair by Six Kennedy (Gurl 6). Chiffon Ruffle dress by machang Pichot (AOHARU). "Belles" shoes by Fallingwater Cellardoor (Shiny Things). On Suzi: Suppin Platinum Pearl skin by Hiro Pintens (Hi-Rop). Rumor in Ash Blonde by Stumbelina Ophelia (Cake). Blue Lace Satin gown by Tavo Vella (Bogart's).

Entry Filed under: Business, Casual, Designer Reviews, Dressy, Jackets, New Items, Outfits, Pants, Sartoria, Shirts, Suits