Fashion Disaster…

Oh dear, oh dear … life’s just about as chaotic as it can be right now. I’m not complaining, I like to keep busy, but I would like more SL playtime. My RL wardrobe is a nightmare and my SL inventory is equally disorderly. I will get around to organising them both (eventually), but in the meantime just about had enough time to put this post together featuring my favourite ‘on trend’ colour pallet of the moment … black and champagne. I reckon you’ll either love or hate this looks. Whether they float your boat, or you think they’re a disaster, I had fun putting this post together. I hope you enjoy the piccies :).

(PS – As so many of you liked the black cat from Film Noir, he’s making another appearance. Unfortunately, the cat isn’t from SL … he’s my Deviant Art pet … I think I will call him Hector.)

Hair: REDGRAVE Sakura Curly Bob Hair in Blond (L$150)

Hat: LaGyo Special Beige Fedora (L$180)

Blouse: BareRose (Fantasy Section) Miss Quin Shirt (part of the Miss Quin outfit) (tinted R:255/G:237/B:186) (L$140)

Bracelet: Bliensen + MaiTai Industrial Revolution Bracelet (L$170)

Shorts: LeLutka Michelle Pants in Tan (L$325)

Watch: Denver Hax Free Chiming Pocket Watch (case tinted R:32/G:32/B:32) (L$0)

Leggings: Lost Dreams Leather Trend Leggings in Cream (L$90)

Boots: BAX Ankle Boots in Black Patent (L$700)

Hair: Vanity Hair Babilone Hair in Essence (Blond pack) (L$250)

Earrings, Choker & Bracelets: Eclectica Deco Pearl Strand Set in Gold (L$300)

Necklace: fashionably dead Goth Necklaces (L$150)

Dress: Paper Couture Vivian Italiano Rose Skirt and Bodice (part of the Vivian Italiano Rose outfit) (L$600)

Corset: Trilobiteware Brocadey Underbust Corset in Star (fatpack) (tinted R:255/G:255/B:204) (L$250)

Boots: Bettie’s Victorian Ankle Boots (L$300)

Hair: LeLutka Jean Hair in Platinum (Peroxides pack) (L$225)

Headpiece: AMARIAH Mist Black Crochet Dress Feather Hair Accessory (part of the Mist Black Crochet Lace Bubble Dress outfit) (L$389)

Blouse: Stylissimo Twisted Victoria Shirt (part of the Twisted Victoria dress) (L$450)

Dress and Gloves: M*A*ii*K*I Poof Gloves in Black and Poof Top/Skirt in Champagne (part of the Poof & Skirt Champagne outfit) (L$550)

Necklace: So Many Styles Pearl Necklace in Black (L$120)

Stockings: Curio Obscura Free Copper Stockings (L$0)

Boots: BareRose (Shoes Section) Short Ballet Boots in Black (fatpack) (L$135)

Last, but by no means least, I would like to shout out a huge thank you to Chance Greatrex, creator of ..::DARE::.. poses, for assisting me with this post. As well as the range of poses (and clothing items) you can purchase in-store, Chance has just started a commission service (full perm if required) and is already working with some big names in SL. I commissioned these poses from Chance and they’re now available for sale at Chance’s main store in Camorro. He is an absolute delight to work with, adorable, and hugely talented. In RL, Chance has a dance background and his knowledge of human movement is obvious when you see his poses which are, in my opinion, the most innovative in SL. Visit the ..::DARE::.. main store or IM Chance Greatrex in-world for details of his commission service.

One of the first things I do when I unpack and try on an item is see whether I can tint it. Tintable items offer so much versatility and you can create unique, particularly mix ‘n’ match looks using them. For non-prim items, right click your avatar and select Appearance. Then select the item you would like to tint under the Clothes heading. For prim items, right click over the item, select edit and then look for the Textures tab. Remember to make a copy before tinting!

Tongue in Chic…

Those of a sensitive disposition should STOP READING NOW!!!

OK, couldn’t resist eh? I recently had the need to research 1950’s advertising for a RL project I’ve been working on. I love the style of those old adverts, but found the innocence of some of the copy and the sexism hysterical. Well, in my experience, advertising only works if it appeals to the target market and it can only do that if it reflects the opinions and values of the time; so I say ‘don’t blame the ad man!’ However, you can blame me (if you like) for my cheeky and somewhat saucy take on it. But remember, I did warn you :P.

Hair: Clawtooth by Clawtooth Kitten with a Whip Hair in Starlet Blonde (“Blondes have more fun” pack) (L$300)

Nail Polish: J’s Natural Real Color in Silk (Fat Pack) (L$50)

Dress: Casa Del Shai The Reluctant Seductress Dress in White (L$400)

Necklace and Earrings: Paper Couture Crystal Bloom Set (L$400)

Ring: Paper Couture Times Square Ring in Diamond (part of the Black and White Diamond set) (L$175)

Stockings: *Sheer* Torn Nylon 02 Stockings in Black (L$50)

Shoes: Sylfie’s Prim Seduction Cascade Stilettos in Chrome/Black (L$300)

Hair: Ingenue Marilyn Hair in Blonde (modified to wear under hat) (L$100)

Hat: ICoN Hat in Beige (part of the Hat & Bangle set in Red/Beige (L$200)

Sunglasses: Icing Marilyn Sunglasses (fatpack) (L$250)

Swimsuit: Lost Dreams Lost Dreams Retro Polka Dot Swimsuit (part of the Swimmers and Skirt set) (L$180)

Gloves: Creative Kaoz Satin Opera Gloves in White (L$30)

Shoes: HOC Industries Strappy Stilettos (L$30)

Hair: Hiccup Slow Jamz 2007 Hair in Light Blonde (Platinum/Light Blonde pack) (L$175)

Nail Polish: J’s Natural Real Color in Pink (Fat Pack) (L$50)

Earrings: Eclectica Jazz Chinoiserie Earrings (part of Chinoiserie set) (L$300)

Blouse: Tres Blah Silky Blouse in Pearl (L$90)

Jumper: Tres Blah Belted Top (L$90)

Apron: BLONDE Pinny With Pockets (L$10)

Brooch: Nylon Outfitters Green Shirt Jacket Flower (part of the Womens Freebies pack) (L$1)

Dress: Icing Marilyn Dress in White (L$295)

Bracelet: Atelier AM Ball Bracelet in White (L$100)

Shoes: HOC Industries Sneaker Wedges (L$30)

Hair: artilleri Sabina II Hair in Honey (Blondes pack) (L$200)

Nail Polish: Reale Manicure in Red (L$0)

Earrings: Woo’s! Hoopstastic Solid Colour Change Hoops (L$7)

Vest: artilleri Marcy Top in White/Red Polkadots – Christmas Group Gift (no longer available) – Other colourways are available in store (L$120)

Bracelets: Earthtones Aurora Bangle in Scarlet/Silver (part of the Shades of Romance set) – Vintage (no longer available)

Trousers: &Bean Pull up to the Bumper Trousers in Light (L$150)

Shoes: HOC Industries Stubbers (L$10)

The HOC Industries label first came to my attention in February when I spotted their Sneakers on Xstreet which were featured as the best selling item. With a price label of just L$30 I wondered at first ‘where’s the catch’, but thought I would give them a go considering it a low risk purchase. From the moment I rezzed them, I was in love and I’ve been a big HOC Industries’ fan ever since. Not only are these shoes beautifully crafted from custom textures and sculpties, but they are scripted too meaning that with every pair you get multiple choice colour options. The shoes featured in this post are priced between L$10 and L$30 which is absolutely remarkable value. Guu Nishi, designer of the label, is a thoroughly nice lady and in my opinion a true champion of SL fashion. HOC Industries items can be purchased on Xstreet or at the main store inworld.

*** The generosity of SL content creators never ceases to amaze me and I have 2 designers to thank for helping me put this post together. Antonia Marat, designer of the artilleri label, is the undisputed queen of everything SL retro. She’s recently revamped her main store and launched a separate store for artilleri HOME which is where today’s first and third shots were taken. Many thanks to her for allowing me to take the shots there and for custom making the fabulous tray of muffins for this post. A big thank you also to Tater Skytower for supplying the Cola Machine used in the last shot. Tater is content creator for Taters vintage stuff and this is the place to go for all things Coco Cola! ***