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December 2005 Donation Item Critique |
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This month's donation items are the Winter Fox Mink and Ice Tiara.
 Must Have Rating: 2 out of 5
Winter Fashion Faux Pas?
Okay, so this month, the closing month of the year, gives us yet another winter theme set. The last being the Nightmare and Angelic Scarves from so long ago. But we get a fur mink which will piss off the animal lovers here and the colder counterpart to the Phenoix Circlet. Maybe I'm still reeling off the new layout changes and how it was difficult to get used to it, but these items fail to impress at this point. then again, this is just my snap judgement.
Murder Made Fashionable
Okay, so that was a bad title for introducing the Winter Fox Mink, but it was the only thing I could think of.
So, as you may have guessed, the Winter Fox Mink favors girl avatars. Just like real minks, this one is the most fashionable furry accessory you could buy! Provided you don't mind the anti-fur people throwing red paint on you. (God, I hope this fox doesn't become a real animal later.) And as a historical accent of classical fashion, it can be worn as such.
It's default mode makes the animal look kind of like a tie, with its head doubling at the knot for the tail. This way of wearing a mink is less common the way Gaia has displayed it. Normally, the tail falls to either the left or the ride side of the chest (depending on your personal political points of persuasion). Recommended dress for the ladies is something red or something white, but definately something formal. For the guys? Skip it.
The second mode is known as the Shawl. This is the more common way of wearing a mink. It's also the most common way of wearing a live snake. A minor error in design is that the head looks out over the shoulder and now down across the other side of the chest like the tail, which, again, is how minks are normally worn when in this kind of variation. And once again, for the ladies, this goes better with something formal. I reccommend one fo the G-LOL dresses. For the guys? If we were allowed to cross dress, I would reccommend the same thing, but sadly we can't. There goes some humor points.
Earmuff mode is a bit disturbing in that the fox gains an extra head and tail. The heads are then drapped over your ears with the tails acting as the ear muff. Unfortunately, it looks like you are wearing a large piece of cloth more than some kind of furry headband and ear muff combination. Doesn't matter what gender you are; avoid this mode unless you can make it look good. I'd be very impressed if you can.
The only mode good for the guys would probably be the Hat option. Here, the White Fox ends up looking more like a Davey Crockett Coon Skin hat. Unfortunately, because of the size of the fox, it doesn't really match the same look and feel as the Coon Skin hat from the front. From the back, it looks okay for what it is. Girls on the other hand may want to beware this mode. As implied, the tail doesn't tuck in or disappear. If it did, you would have a very fashionable fur hat that runs the gambit of classical fashion like the first two modes. Just a warning, 'tis all.
The Belt option is also another thing guys could use this item for, particularly if you own a complete Scotts set. Why? Well, those who have seen the fourth Harry Potter movie will know why. The mink in the belt option makes a great addition to anyone trying to cosplay as Moody, since it looks a bit like the albino ferret he wore during the Yule Ball. I don't know any girl that would wear an animal as a belt, but then again, I have seen weirder things.
The final mode is using the fox as an anklet. You can't chose what leg it goes on, so you will have to work with that. I don't know if anyone would want to wear this item on their leg when there are better and less odd-looking things like Leg Warmers and the Yeti Plushie. Still, for those that wish to, you'll be happy to know you can wear both shoes and socks with this when it is on your leg. However, I'd choose your footwear carefully since the tail of the fox still sticks out as if it was alive and kicking.
Overall, I can't be too impressed by this item. It obviously favors the girl side of the avatars. I know someone in Site Feedback that won't be happy about that.
Ice Cold Bling
The Ice Tiara is obviously the colder counterpart to the Phenoix Circlet that was released earlier. Unfortunately, it falls very flat when compared to it.
The first mode is the traditional tiara mode. Here, guys get a treat, as we finally get some earrings! The tiara is pretty nice as far as design, but matching it with anything that isn't blue or white would be a challenge. Expect a lot of guys to be changing their hair color soon.
Necklace mode does something odd. The tiara's main design sits where most necklaces fall for both genders, but it also adds "ice wings" in the form of two crystals that hover just above your shoulder. Thing is, if you play as many RPGs as I have (and I know you have), the shape the ice makes should remind you more of an ice attack rather than something decorative. If that worries you, then don't stand beside anyone wearing this in necklace mode.
As pictured above, these two modes work great together. Unfornately, they are the only ones that work well together. This is where the down-hill slope begins when you compare it to the Phenoix Circlet. The circlet allowed for several combinations, each making it possible to wear something regal and mythical at the same time. The Ice Tiara, unfortunately, only has this option and nothing more.
Moving right along, the next mode is Glasses mode. Yes, that's right, glasses. They just look horrible, and I'll leave it at that.
There are two bracelet modes that you should take note of. You can't pick which wrist to put it on, so don't bother trying. However, if you don't like the gold and silver watches available, this is a nice alternative. If you own an Ice Gauntlet, you may be interested in the Spiked Bracelet version. The layering is just right to where you get a blade coming out the side of the gauntlet, which can only be accented and help with the Claw and Blade modes of the weapon. Unfortunately, this impressive addition is best seen from the front. There are perspective issues with how it is displayed from behind.
Lastly, there is the anklet version. Like the bracelet, you can't choose where this goes. However, like the Winter Fox Mink, you can wear socks and shoes with this. The thing is that because it looks so awkward by itself, I doubt anyone will wear it in this mode and make it look good. The anklet is so small that one would expect it to come in a pair so that both ankles would be able to wear them. But apparently not. It just makes the avatar too heavy on the forground side.
Overall, the only thing I can say is that at least there was an item for the guys. With the mink leaving a bad taste in my mouth, at least there is something for the guys. So, for that, I'm at least appreciative. I can't say that I like the item, however.
Male Haters? Or Just Effeminately Inclined?
These items, for whatever reason those may be, seem to favor one gender or another, both in style and in what can be used with it in combination. On the guy end of things, there isn't much that we can do with the Winter Fox Mink that wouldn't look... well, stupid. The Ice Tiara offers some decent fantasy costumes for both genders, but it just falls short on options compared to its firey counterpart.
I think all the avatar artist's creativity went somewhere else, because it isn't in the donation items. And I'm trying to be nice since there are parts that I like about each of the ones released this month.
 Zeek Slider · Sat Dec 24, 2005 @ 07:22am · 4 Comments |
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