TonkTastic May Give You the Edge on the Battleground of SL Fashion (NWN Readers' Choice, Top SL Brand)

Iris Ophelia's ongoing review of gaming and virtual world style

• Brand name: TonkTastic
• [SL Marketplace]
• [SLURL]
• Flickr Group
• Estimated average item price: L$500
• Brand owner: Tonk Tomcat

The gritty and grungy aesthetic you'll find at TonkTastic has been popular in Second Life for a long time, but there are very few other shops in this niche who do it with technical standards as high as Tonk Tomcat's. Though most of what you'll see there isn't my usual style, I can't help but appreciate the detail and care put into even something as deceptively simple looking as a pair of mesh cargo pants. If you're used to looking prim and proper it's easy to overlook the fact that making a great piece of grungy gear can be even more work than your immaculate party dress-- you still have to make a good looking item, then you have to take the time to make it look good and messy on top of that.

TonkTastic specializes in urban and military-style gear, so if you're a fan of gasmasks, dog tags, combat boots, and the kind of practical tactical clothing that will keep you hidden from the enemy until it's far too late, you should definitely add this brand to your weekend shopping list!

We're blogging the top 20 brands in our Readers' Choice list. Stay tuned for the rest soon!

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Iris Ophelia (Janine Hawkins IRL) has been featured in the New York Times and has spoken about SL-based design at the Fashion Institute of Technology in Manhattan and with pop culture/fashion maven Johanna Blakley.

Comments

[Vaki]

I used to *love* TonkTastic. I've been so sad since they've moved to mesh, because now I can't wear most of their stuff. The deformer can't come soon enough, I say!

[Orca Flotta]

Gasmasks? I wouldn't call that a style but keep them for use down in the vault, in The Wastelands or the bedroom :)

[eyelash enhancer]

If you're used to looking prim and appropriate it's simple to ignore the point that creating an excellent item of grubby equipment can be even more perform than your perfect celebration dress-- you still have to create a excellent looking product, then you have to take enough time to create it look excellent and unpleasant on top of that.