Today’s forecast: casual, with touches of elegance

March 10th, 2008 at 05:51pm Ryan Darragh

The weather where I live in RL has been what might be called “unseasonably warm”–I think it was supposed to be 85F today, and it’s still winter, at least technically, for another couple of weeks.  Just so you’ll know, when I’m dressing more realistically for SL (as opposed to indulging my steampunk fetish or trying out other fantasy wear), I tend to lean toward things that would be appropriate for the current RL season and weather where I am.  Given the recent uptick in temperatures, I was happy to see the new Clash Shorts by serjordan Bonetto of Emery.  These are crisply textured and very casual, with plenty of folds and wrinkles–why iron if you’re just going hiking?  Rolled cuffs add some dimension, and the prim side pockets have interesting tab-and-buckle detailing.  You can get them in four subtle colors: Blue, Brown, Green, and Grey.  Permissions are Modify / No Copy / Transfer.  L$100 a pair at Emery (Quest III 155, 31, 22).

These new (within the last few weeks) leather wrist cuffs by Dragontat Zagato come in two styles, Holy and Desert, and three leather finishes: Black, Brown and Tan.  Wrist cuffs never seem exactly formal to me, but the Holy style definitely seems dressier with its clean metal emblem.  With its decorative metal plate that’s worn rather than highly polished, the Desert style has a more casual feel.  Double straps with rivets and buckles keep the cuffs securely fastened.  Permissions are Modify / No Copy / Transfer, but I found the cuffs to be already at or near minimum size, so stretching up is do-able but sizing down isn’t really an option.  L$200 a pair at Desert Moon Clothiers (Goodelli 213, 86, 47).  There’s also a DMC store at Second Guy Mall (Sweetgrass 86, 104, 262).

For my money, the best way to class up almost any outfit begins with a trip to Mhaijik Guillaume’s jewelry shop.  The rings and necklaces she just released go beyond her usual impeccable craft and eye for beautiful shape and flow in her designs.  This time she’s included semiprecious gemstones that, upon close inspection, reveal their secret: a subtle animated swirling effect that suggests an inner magic hidden just beneath the surface.  Here I’m wearing the Ratri Night Dark ring and necklace, which with their coal-dark coloring and almost organic metalwork seemed somehow just right with DT’s Holy cuffs.

Two other designs in different color palettes are Kavi Poet (the ring is shown at right) and Jaitay Gold and Gold.  The incised metalwork of the Kavi Poet pieces is delicately abstract, with a fine web of scroll-like lines over a bright background.  The stone’s abalone-shell colors cycle slowly, a tiny window onto a vision of the sea.  The matching necklace’s medallion is suspended from a choker-style assembly of chunky silver links, carefully shaped for a close and comfortable fit.  For the Jaitay Gold and Gold designs, Mhaijik has used amber stones reminiscent of tiger’s eye, with kaleidoscopic designs that swirl delicately like a low fire, to highlight simple and striking two-tone gold metalwork.

Rings are L$250; sets with matching ring and necklace are L$275.  Permissions are Modify / No Copy / Transfer; some items will only size down so far, undoubtedly due to component prims already at minimum size, but Mhaijik is always happy to help with fitting.  Available at Mhaijik Things (Pheosia 56, 227, 152).  Mhaijik also has a shop at Second Guy Mall (Sweetgrass 86, 104, 262).

Disclosure: Seen in World: Yes | Review Copy: Some | Friends List: Some

Notes: On Ryan: "Antonio" skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). "Jared" hair by Truth Hawkes (TRUTH). Mechanic Beater and Dexter Glasses by Zabitan Assia (FORM). Akeyo Chucks by Akemi Yoshikawa (Akeyo).

Entry Filed under: Accessories,Casual,Desert Moon Clothiers,Dressy,Emery,Jewelry,Mhaijik Things,New Items,Shorts