Winter formals [iii] : Alphamale

January 5th, 2009 at 07:54pm Ryan Darragh

Is there such a thing as casual formalwear?  Some would call the very idea an oxymoron, an impossibility.  Yelmer Pfeffer clearly believes the answer is Yes, and he makes a compelling case in some of his winter design offerings.

Yelmer’s Casual Tux (L$489) includes no vest, no cummerbund, indeed no necktie.  Why, the collar is even unbuttoned!  I can hear your gasps of surprise from here.  Yet it is undeniably dressy, arguably formal (albeit dressed-down), and absolutely classy.  How can this be?

The secret, I am convinced, lies in the execution.  Look at the fabric texture, with its rich shine and shading that defines a slight pull at the front button, soft but precise.  Note the handsome and tastefully understated belt on the formal pants.  See the classic lines of the narrow satin lapels.  Examine the subtle shadow shading at the shirt collar and the illusion of layering and depth this creates.  The fabric may not be a complex print or tapestry, but the garment is nonetheless beautiful.

The set includes dress shirt with prim cuffs and collar, formal pants, and tux jacket with prim cuffs.  The shirt is provided on multiple garment layers and so can be worn tucked (with or without the jacket) or untucked (without the jacket only), as you prefer.  The prim shirt cuffs are simple but effective and easy to fit.  The more complex jacket cuffs, though, required non-trivial fitting (using Edit Linked Parts) to size them down for my avatar, which I would guess is smaller than than that of the average Alphamale customer.  If your avatar is larger than mine–and most probably are–this probably won’t be an issue for you.

The Casual Tux is available in four sober colors; it’s shown here in classic and always appropriate Black.

Even more casual but still sumptuous is the Silk Shirt with Formal Pants (L$385).  The underlying design appears to be the same as the Casual Tux shirt, but with subtle differences in the fabric texture, and in a wider range of brilliant, jewel-like colors.  (The shirt I’m wearing here is in Imperial Purple.)  Again, you’ll find the shirt on multiple garments layers for tucked and untucked wear, and it comes with prim open collar and cuffs.  The set also includes formal pants, here in Charcoal; the shirts can also be purchased separately for L$265 each.

Permissions are M C T.  Available at Alphamale (Alphamale 124, 118, 36).

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

Notes: On Ryan: "Antonio" skin by Funk Schnook (FNKY!). "Hoke-Troika" hair by Noam Sprocket (Gritty Kitty). "Spencers" dress shoes by Fallingwater Cellardoor (Shiny Things). Gold Diamond Celtic Ring by Alyssa Bijoux (Alyssa Bijoux Jewelry; custom mod of her own original design).

Entry Filed under: Alphamale, Dressy, Formal, Jackets, Pants, Shirts, Suits