The Mesh Tuxedo Quest

When it's steam engine time everyone is inventing steam engines at once.  When the state of the art of mesh reaches a certain point and there has been a tuxedo development arms race going for an extended period, everybody comes out with mesh tuxedos at once.

I had been waiting impatiently for the Hoorenbeek mesh Tux.  We all knew it was coming and it was supposed to be the big event.

I've been a Hoorenbeek guy for a long time.  I'm the guy who pops into the main store Saturday afternoon for the new release 200 linden sale and my Hoorenbeek folder is a big one.  Lately though, as I shift almost completely to mesh products, other designers have captured my heart - and my Lindens.  Kauna, Razorblade, Kokane and more than any other menswear designer besides Hoorenbeek, Lapointe & Bastchild.

So when L&B beats Hoorenbeek to the mesh Tux party by a matter of weeks the comparisons are inevitable.

First the long awaited Hoorenbeek Mesh Tuxedo.  They decided to release it as a complete outfit.  Part of their excellent combo pack series perfect for relative newbies, alts and gifts where one purchase can create a whole look.

They were 600 lindens each the first weekend and 960 ongoing.  As you can see the two options are closed jacket tied tie and a rakish 3 AM ratpack look with untied tie and open jacket.  The lines are classic and evocative of Frank Sinatra in Vegas and "Bond, James Bond."  It's a professional, briskly dependable product from the recognised elite menswear design team in Second Life today.  If the lines seem awfully similar to other shirt, jacket, pants combos long time followers of Hoorenbeek have seen many times before, well they are great lines and you can always count on a quality product from the Hoorenbeek label.

The question of why the minor differences between these two outfits couldn't be offered in one outfit rather than an attempt to soak you for two complete outfits with those two minor variations cannot be reasonably avoided and although high quality the overwhelming impression is a little bloodless.

Bloodless is a word that will never be used for Lapointe and their mesh tuxedo is a perfect example of why.

The L&B 2013 Modern Black Open Tuxedo is two pieces, pants and a combined jacket, vest, shirt and tie combo.  There are a half dozen main colour pack variants at 699 lindens each represented by the big HUD on the left.  Red is my favourite colour so I picked the Claret model.  The main Huds give you multiple texture variations both subtle and major for jacket and pants, vest, tie and handkerchief.

Then you have the option of buying any of dozens of different 'mini-huds' at 199 L a pop, three of which can be seen on the right of the image.  These give you additional tie, vest and shirt options.  The features are astoundingly detailed and the textures are breathtakingly lush and rich.  

As a nice extra, the Mesh Tuxedo folder includes their pre-mesh prim outfit version of the same Tux from 2010 almost as an afterthought, useful for when you are going out dancing with someone who can't see mesh.  The kind of generosity to their customers Lapointe has become know for.

The phrase that comes to mind is labour of love.

In terms of price, features and expandability I have to give this head to head to Lapointe, even given that  the Hoorenbeek outfit includes shoes.

Hair: Dura Boy 1, Dark Brown

Skin: Christen Medium by Evian

Shape: Self made

3D Prim Full Beard by Jaryth's Barbershop

Tintable Masculine Eyebrows by Jaryth's Barbershop

Eddesign - Complete body hair type 1

Letis Tattoo :: Sirius :: 

Neclace: Silver 5 Bead and Leather Cord Necklace by Culture Fine Jewelry for Men

*Milady's* -Bridges- Onyx/Silver Men's Bracelet