Winter formals [i] : Styles of edo

December 27th, 2008 at 11:38pm Ryan Darragh

So, I had this crazy idea that I would do a series of posts featuring formal wear for the holidays. This thing called Christmas kinda got in my way, but I’m kicking it off anyway.  I’ve got a few things already lined up; we’ll see how far I get. Consider these recommendations for winter parties in general, holiday or otherwise. Hey, New Year’s Eve is still coming!

It never hurts to make a dramatic entrance.  The beauty of SL is that you can do so in ways that might be completely beyond your reach in real life.  edo Tone’s Russian Sable Coat (L$950) is something no sales associate would ever show me–they know when something is hopelessly out of your league, no matter how good an act you put on.  But in SL I don’t have to convince anyone but myself, and there’s no need to slap down a credit card and pray that the charge goes through.  The coat’s construction is fairly simple, with jacket-layer coat top, long flexi tails, and crisp, non-sculpted prim cuffs and stand-up collar.  But its finish is luxurious: beautiful, guilt-free glossy black fur from collar to hem.  If sable isn’t your personal favorite, coats in other fur types are also available.

A full-length fur coat is all well and good for the big arrival, but what about attire for the party itself?  For formal or simply festive events, every man needs at least one fine tuxedo in his wardrobe.  edo’s “Tuxedo 5″ (L$950) is one of his newest, and really quite beautiful.  The set includes jacket with and without black vest, pants, vest as a separate garment, and shirt with tie.  (My review sample did not include the vest and shirt, so here I’m wearing one of edo’s shirts that I already had, but the vendor in the store mentions and appears to include these pieces.  A variety of other shirts are available separately, priced at L$125 each.)  I always find edo’s fabric texture artwork impressive, and this tux is no exception, from the subtle shading of the vest closure to the more dramatic scrollwork detailing of the satin lapels.  The bright white of the folded pocket square is a classy touch.  Permissions on edo’s garments are typically M C T, but transferable items are available in a special, clearly marked ”gift” section of the store.

You can visit Styles of edo at (Tyche 151, 128, 56).

If a fine tuxedo is the foundation of a gentleman’s formal attire, accessories can be the architectural details that catch the eye and remain in the memory.  The Classic Gentleman’s Pocket Watch (L$950) I’m wearing is by Chrissy Ambrose of Virtual Impressions, but can be purchased at Styles edo.  Its prim construction makes some use of sculpties, and it’s scripted to tell SL time.

The impressive coat really cried out for some kind of hat, if only for balance and harmony.  Thanks to a tip from my friend Jameson, I ended up browsing at Reghan Straaf’s fine Victorian millinery, Hatpins, where I found Reghan’s Lord Cecil Top Hat (L$200).  I tried on the demo and was immediately taken by its clean, elegant, smoothly sculpted shape.  The fabric texture looks like fine felted wool, and the hat is scripted for size and color change (the crown, brim and hatband can be recolored independently).  Available at Hatpins (Caledon SouthEnd 56, 177, 23).

For the final touch, the pièce de résistance as it were, I added the Unnecessarily High Prim Monocle by Spindle Vlodovic.  For me, this bit of understated extravagance is the perfect completion, the accent piece that ties the whole ensemble together.  Its 140ish prims will set you back exactly L$0, which makes it one of my favorite freebies of 2008.  Pick one up for yourself at Spindle’s Windmill Store (Aura 212, 112, 21), or check Spindle’s Picks for other shop locations.

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

Notes: On Ryan: "Antonio" skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). "Gabriel" hair by Lost Thereian (Naughty). H&H Oxfords by Eponymous Trenchmouth (JCS). Steel Cane by Vincente Shepherd (Gaslights Emporium).

Entry Filed under: Accessories, Formal, Freebies, Hatpins, Hats, Jackets, Pants, Shirts, Spindle Vlodovic, Styles of edo, Suits, Vests