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Name of Ensemble: Fur Coat (male)

Creator: Darwin Mizser

Shoppe: AVid

Comments:

This is the second in a series of several entries regarding Wintry Ware.

Pardon the enormous image sizes, but I confess to showing off not only the ensembles, but my recently winterized lands as well. Please do come and visit; Syzygy is mostly open to public exploration and enjoyment. We have skating and… Falln’s legendary twisted snowmen…

This was my first winter purchase over two years ago, and at the time I was quite taken with the elegant fur coat and gloves. I must interject immediately and say that the gloves of this ensemble match very well with numerous other ensembles, making it one of the most versatile pieces in my wardrobe — especially during the winter season. As quality gloves are a rarity in SL, I urge anyone to pick up this creation.

As an aside, Darwin Mizser has the Fur Coat ensemble in the sale area rather than the main area, for a mere L$200.

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As an older ensemble, and one of AVid’s first, it’s quite a bit different from the fantastical gothic creations of the last year. Unfortunately, I find the brass coloured coat buttons nigh impossible to match given my personal proclivities towards silver accoutrements. Moreover, the coat does not extend completely to the waist, which means one’s shirt will be visible above the trousers.  However, it’s still a must have.  And while you’re at AVid, I recommend the crimson/red Viktor.

I opted to wear AVid’s Silver Shirt (from the Striped silk shirts + waistcoat collection) and Midnight’s trousers beneath the fur coat. The silk shirts (which I also feel are a must to add to any virtual closet), can also be found the in above mentioned AVid sale area.

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Despite the age, I do believe the coat and gloves are a must for a gentleman’s wardrobe… until something better comes along in the same vein. I do enjoy the fact that the fur is not overly fanciful (yes, this is me saying this), nor is it completely worn. Elegant and stylish — just the coat for winter climes.

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Of course my passion for high and wide collars is quite noticeable. The coat bottom’s flexi works well — just a little stiff, as one would expect from this fabric. But the prim coat collar is very attractively styled.

Going to hell? Yes, we are… in a Junk ship, no less.

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Other Details:

Shoes: Evocative Boots – “Cuban Black” Ankle Boot by Paul Lapointe of BastChild Lotus
Socks: (ashes) nemu suit socks by hyasynth Tiramisu of Silent Sparrow
Monocle: GC-Monokel (Dark-Knight clock) by Grazioso Alekseev of Crie Style

Photos taken at Syzygy Selene: Twisted Snowmen & Skating (which is open for all to enjoy — watch for demented snowmen)

Human avatar

• Hair – Elliot (LightBlond) by Six Kennedy of GuRL 6
• Skin – Scorpio Revelation (3A Smooth) by Khai Sinister of The Abyss
• Eyes – Blue Opal by Miriel Enfield of Miriel (very sadly retired)

I do realize that some creators are likely attempting to project a contrast between clothing pieces by accenting a coat in silver and a vest in brass, but I do not feel such endeavours enhance the image of the entire ensemble. Such contrasts, if desired, are best fashioned by clever fabric texturing and styling. I’ve also contemplated that designers are using specific textures for the sake of simply using them without regard to metal clash over the entire outfit.

[Unzipped's Crimson Night Victorian Male -- click for larger image]

Unfortunately (for me), I’ve been seeing this metal combining in several outfits recently released. After my purchase of Unzipped’s Crimson Night Victorian Male, while a reasonably well put together ensemble, I was disappointed with the overall look due to the brass and silver accoutrement combination. Certainly, aspects can be worn with other outfits, and I even found tipping the metal scales with the inclusion of pocket watches or canes composed of one or the other metal diminished the distraction, but in the end I was still dissatisfied.

What prompted this blog post was AVID’s latest release, Black Heart. I’ve been a fan of AVID’s creations since nearly day one of their operation. The last couple of outfits (not since Verne, and Verne is a fabulous ensemble) have not thrilled me. When I initially laid eyes on Black Heart, of course the coat and cloak set me immediately into the realm of “must have, must TP now and buy”, but then I continued looking at the promo picture, attempting to figure out what caused me to pause. The reason was the contrasting metallic buttons — brass and silver. Had the ensemble been less expensive, I would have purchased it for the coat and cloak alone, but L$890 is a little steep for that.

[AVID's Black Heart -- click for larger image]

And so, I simply pressed Ctrl+H on my keyboard and returned home, without a new ensemble. It is my hope that AVID’s next men’s release will have me excited once more and that designers will be a little more mindful regarding clashing accoutrement metals.

Then again, it could simply just be me and I’m missing the next fashion trend. And if that is the case, I may have limited the quantity of new clothing acquisition in my future! The horror!

Other Details:

Photo taken in My Photosphere

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Name of Ensemble: Laureate

Creator: Darwin Mizser

Colour(s) Available: Black & White only

Shoppe: AVid

Number of Pieces: 16 plus 5 piece shoes

Variations Within Ensemble: 2 shirt colours (black and white), 2 coats (open and closed), and two frock coat tail lengths

Textures: High quality original, some familiar (from this creator), some new. Excellent “being worn” appearance with wrinkles, highlights and shadows in all the right places.

Prim Components: Shoes are of the “platform chunky” variety, the collar well formed, the frock coat tail pieces stiff but nicely styled, the belt carries delightful detail (almost entrancing), the cane utilizes nice textures and the “coat sleeves” are an excellent extension of the gloves.

Permissions: Transfer, most pieces modify. I had to stretch the belt and the frock coat tail pieces smaller, and to my delight found the components easily modified and therefore took on the shape I required.

Comments:

Newly released from AVid, Laureate is the first men’s ensemble in some time from Miss Mizser. While I do not begrudge her recent passion for creating some exquisite lady’s fashions, I have been rather keen on acquiring something new from one of my favourite designers. My prayers were answered yesterday, and I was certainly not disappointed.

In keeping with AVid’s unique “gothic” theme, Laureate is an excellent blend of goth and a dash of period, as exhibited in the frock coat and cane attachment. One of the reasons I enjoy AVid’s ensembles so much is that Miss Mizser pays particular attention to the lining of her coats, either by way of the appearance of a true lining, or by using textures that highlight the rich feel of the fabric. This outfit has a strong sense of brocade and velvet (or short brushed fur).

The textures on the trousers are of a subtle floral design, perfectly wrinkled in all the right places, adding realism. Initially I had intended to dispense with the belt, believing it to be a bit too much for me, but then I rather began to like it and before too long decided it was definitely a “keeper”.

The prim collar sits perfectly and flows very well with the coat. The texturing of the coat, again, adds considerable realism to the ensemble.

The cane attachment fixes to the left hip by default, and there is no option to wear it in your hand unless you make the modification yourself. The cane, in my opinion, looks quite fine on the hip even if some individuals confuse it for a lengthy riding crop — although, that might merely lend itself to your image, yes? Choose from a black or white shirt, as the mood strikes you. The waistcoat is finely textured. In the image above you can see the detail of the belt as well.

Personally not being overly fond of square or “platform chunky” shoes, I matched this ensemble with the boots from RFyre’s “Regent Black”. The coat comes in two lengths, and the above is pictured with the longer of the two, which is my preference with its unique cut and style.

As a furry, the belt vanishes in lieu of one’s tail. However, the outfit works quite well without the belt. The above picture is seen with the black shirt, open coat, and the shorter frock coat tail.

The boots with extra prim laces are seen above.

While reasonably suitable for this fox avatar, I believe Laureate is more appropriate to a human avatar.

In conclusion, this is a wonderful ensemble with numerous individual pieces (even underwear) that would afford plenty of flexibility in being paired up with pieces from other ensembles (from this and other creators).

Other Details:

Photos taken in Topiary Garden of Dance & Delight

Human avatar

• Hair – VanDyke (LightBlond) by Six Kennedy of GuRL 6
• Skin – Gabriel Ghost (Shaved) by Lost Thereian of Naughty Designs
• Eyes – Blue Opal by Miriel Enfield of Miriel
• Spectacles – Plume by Nibb Tardis of primOptic

Fox avatar

• Avatar – Arctic Fox by Cheetah Kitty
• Hair – The Dauphin (Blonde) by Siyu Suen of Illusions
• Spectacles – Plume by Nibb Tardis of primOptic