Waistcoats @ Xcentricity
Let us sing the praises of the humble waistcoat, unjustly neglected for decades. Nowadays it seems that even gentlemen such as ourselves could go for years without ever wearing one except at weddings and attending Royal Ascot every year. Yet it forms a crucial article of gentlemen’s attire in other subcultures, such as the Steampunk sims. I ran across Nix Sands’ rakish Xcentricity brand first in Port Babbage and was captivated as soon as I saw them. My favourite is Poisson, here portrayed in what are indelicately called ‘sooty tones.’ The celtic design is printed on the finest satin and the garment is reassuringly snug without pulling tight.
Other gentlemen may frown on it, but I love to leave my jacket behind and take the air in only my shirt sleeves and waistcoat — ah, the daring informality of it all! Clearly Mssr Sands did not have such indiscretions in mind, since the backs of his waistcoats not only lack the design, but are not even satin, merely cotton, with bunching showing clearly as a buckled strap takes up the slack fabric where the garment tapers at the waist. [I stand corrected on this point; please now see Baron Wulfenbach's comment to this article below.] Poisson is also available in indigo, olive and salmon (all of them much nicer names than ‘sooty;’ …I ask you!) and costs only 80L$. You may not see them when you first enter the shop — cycle through the vendor which also sells the ‘Steamy’ and ‘Wheeler’ waistcoats, to which we turn next.
Xcentricity features two waistcoats based on designs by Candace Wheeler. There is a daffodil motif available in brick and two versions of teal, and then this golden yellow ‘hollyhocks’ print which I found irresistable. Again, I enjoy being daring and sporting them without a jacket. But if you’re not quite so bold, look how it adds a touch of spice to your old Victorian evening suit. Wheeler hollyhocks waistcoat is also 80L$. The inexpensive price provides the remedy for the only weakness of these garments: the brightness of colour and fineness of fabric means that the slightest of spills of sherry or port produce unsightly and unshiftable stains. If either you or your servants are prone to such slips, you may wish to buy more than one of each. Just a word to the wise.
So tootle on down to Xcentricity’s airship shop, parked at the side of the Great Wall (Aplasta 192, 207, 152). Upstairs you’ll find a free waistcoat featuring a lovely blue starchart motif, called ‘Stargazer.’ Enjoy!
Sehr geehrten, Herr Oh.
Once again, an excellent review of an excellent product line – your review of ~silentsparrow~ was very nearly a prose poem.
I would like to point out, though, that Herr Sands’s waistcoats are not unfinished – note the careful detailling of the stresses of the fabric and the buckle – but are of linen or silk (depending on the style) and are quite accurate in period styling. It provides a grace note of contrast with the elaborate brocades of the front of the garment.
He graced me this evening with a few previews of finished items he has not yet distributed to his shops, and I think you’ll be pleased on revisiting Xcentricity when those new items become available.
Yrs.,
Klaus Wulfenbach, Baron
Consulate of Europa Wulfenbach
I click my heels in salute of your superior knowledge, mein freund. I have added a note to the article proper.
Mr. Oh,
Thank you very kindly for the review of my waistcoats. Indeed, I have endeavored to make them affordable, anticipating that a gentleman would wish to collect many—thus enabling a gallery of choices to suit his mood, or his purpose.
The construction of the waistcoat backs has become something of a trademark for me. Many tailors would offer you a simplistic continuation of the front fabric. Instead, I have chosen to lavish a bit more time and historical styling on the subject by recreating a linen back with adjustable demi-belt.
The breathable linen back is a feature much appreciated by the gentleman who must tirelessly entertain a bevy of beauties at the Ball! And should a duel or fisticuffs be necessary to lay down punishment on a churlish cad, the adjustment belt allows the fit to be slackened a tad for greater freedom of movement. And frankly, who hasn’t occasionally indulged on too hearty a portion of Chateaubriand and needed some “forgiveness” from his waistcoat—WITHOUT unbuttoning it?
I hope this missive has done something to explain the mission behind my madness. As always—Cheers!
Your Humble Tailor
Nix Sands
XCENTRICITY: From Rakish to Reckless!
Men!D waistcoats and d jackets look smatching.Keep it up!