Men's Second Style

Well, Valentine’s Day 2010 is shaping up to be a bit of a casual affair for me this year, in SL as well as RL-–I still don’t have RL dinner reservations!  (I know, I know.)  The very casual ensemble I’ve put together for your consideration isn’t exactly appropriate for an intimate dinner at a fine restaurant.  Think more romantic picnic in the park and you’ll be just fine.

The Grunge Tanktop and Flame Red Swim Trunks are both by Shinichi Mathy.  As always, fine fabric texture work is the hallmark of Shinichi’s garment designs, whether casual, dressy or more formal.  The busy print on the swim trunks helps the optional prim leg extensions to blend in better than they might in a solid color.  I did mod the taper of the prims just slightly to fit my fairly thin avie a little better.  These are the February 2010 Shiki group gift for guys.  You’ll need to join the Shiki group (if you aren’t already a member) and visit the shop Shiki 91, 153, 22 to pick up your gift.  Head down the red hallway (on your right as you walk down the main aisle) to the special Members Only area to find the gift vendors.  Available at Shiki Designs (Shiki 91, 153, 22).

To add some fun to the casual vibe, try the Rollazz roller sneakers by Hummingbird Forster.  They may look like simple, classic canvas-and-rubber sneakers, left untied for comfort–but wait, there’s more!  A small wheel on each heel (okay, and the included rolling “walk” animation) let you glide right through laggy crowds with ease.  In basic black with a sharp skull design on the tongue for guys (and around back, too!); a more feminine version styled for the ladies is also available.  The rolling anim is included both in a Zhao AO and as a separate animation (no-copy, but oh well) that you can add to your own AO.  You’ll look relaxed and oh so cool, coming or going.  To my slight disappointment, there’s no sole texture, just plain white rubber.  (I’m a sucker for detailing; what can I say?)  But the wheels are scripted to spin, which is more than adequate consolation.  Currently, these are specially priced at L$215 a pair in a countdown vendor—there should be at least a few days left at this price as I publish this, but after the countdown expires you’ll have to pay full price.  Get yours at Hummingbird Designs (Trivy Isle 112, 155, 25).

Always up for new accessories, I was pleased to hear recently that Jordan Morgenrote is designing jewelry again after a not-insignificant hiatus.  Here I’m wearing a couple of her new designs for men.  Her “Greg” necklace strings on a gracefully shaped leather cord several beads in shapes and colors that play against one another in intriguing contrast.  The round central bead reminds me of a tiny blue planet, shrouded in clouds, but I think the small purple beads at either end are my own favorites.  The “Kaj <3” bracelet seems to be quite popular already, so it may be old news to you—I overheard a comment to the effect that “like Kaj himself, everybody already has one.”  (Somehow I’m not sure that was exactly a compliment to Kaj, but such is life.  I’m sure he understands.)  The bright silver heart design, in two-character texting shorthand, is very au courant.  Hey, all the kids are doing it these days!  Perhaps not coincidentally, it’s also just right for Valentine’s Day gift giving.  You can choose the bracelet with rawhide thong, as shown here, or with a simple black cord.  L$199 each at Jordan*s Jewelry (Asbury Heights 129, 59, 32).

I’m astonished (astonished, I tell you!) that this appears to be the first time I’ve mentioned Din Raymaker’s fantastic hairstyles in a feature.  I’ve worn and credited any number of them, but somehow I’ve (almost) never actually…said anything in particular.  How did that happen?  That seems somehow just wrong.  I intend to go back, find all those posts and tag them appropriately, so at least you can find them easily.  (Update: check out other Uncleweb
Studio styles in these posts.)  It’s a woefully insufficient gesture, but it’ll have to do for now.  In the meantime, this is Din’s “Roy” style for men, in Ash Rose especially for Valentine’s Day.  This was included in Din’s recent gift to group members, which should be available in the group’s notices history for a few more days.  The gift pack also includes “Roy” in Silver Wolf, along with a women’s style.  If you miss out on this group gift, you can also pick up “Roy” in Black and Brown as an in-store freebie.  Just drop by Uncleweb Studio (Yamashita 56, 83, 21) and check the main store counter displays.  For a freebie style, this is pretty fantabulous.  Din’s non-free styles are also well worth your consideration, so be sure to try a demo or two while you’re there.