Definitely taking a walk on the wild side with this outfit, that's for sure! I try not to use more than 3 different colors in an outfit because it can be artistically disastrous. However, there are several distinct colors in this ensemble and it works wonderfully! I honestly had no concept for this outfit today. It haphazardly fell together while I was both mixing and matching between light and medium armor and assigning random colors to each piece. The T5 crafted medium chest and leggings, both from the Elven Campaigner's set, were the building blocks to this outfit. I'd have to say those two pieces are arguably the most appealing and coordinated pieces of all the crafting professions in LOTRO. Elegant designs, a pleasing mishmash of colors, and dyeable areas that don't overwhelm either piece. Safe to say, this was one of my more unique creations.
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| The setting felt perfect for this outfit, but the terrain was a bit rugged. It's annoying when a boot gets lost in the hillside! |
You might be wondering why I'm using the Shoulders of the Mighty Verse again, since I used it last week in an outfit. It's hands down my favorite piece of gear in the game...and it also fits this outfit very well. Actually, it was the last piece I added. I nearly forgot that these shoulders have a bit of violet around the neck to match both the gloves and boots and golden clasps to compliment the gold in the chest and legs. Just imagine you've just found the one puzzle piece that completes the portion of the puzzle you've just assembled...and you'll know how I felt when the shoulders fell into place.
I've had several people asking and wondering about my creative process. Today, I'll let everybody in on it!
It may come as a surprise to all my viewers, friends, and fellow cosmetic bloggers that I make my outfits in bulk. Very rarely have I ever done one or two at a time. Generally, I create anywhere from six to twelve outfits in a two week span. Granted, there's ton of work that has to go into writing posts and taking screenshots, but I've found it worth the effort. Inspiration isn't one of those things that hits me frequently, but when it does, it's in a massive burst of energy that lasts for days at a time. That's how I get my work done. Several ideas fleshed out at once. Basic idea one day, accessorizing the next, and color coordinating the following day. On a rare occasion, I'll make the "five minute outfit." I've already got the dressing room pictured in my mind with the pieces and colors set in stone moments before I sit down. For the blog itself, I write the gist of my posts almost immediately and then, as each scheduled day approaches, I try tailoring the text to whatever is happening that week.
Head: Fine Elven Circlet (Default, Anniversary Festival gift box reward)*
Shoulders: Shoulders of the Mighty Verse (Rust, Moria Minstrel class vendor)
Back: Eastemnet Cloak of Vitality (Violet, T8 Tailor recipe)
Chest: Elven Campaigner's Armour (White, T5 Tailor recipe)
Legs: Elven Campaigner's Leggins (White, T5 Tailor recipe)
Hands: Leather Gauntlets of Vigour (Violet, world drop) **
Feet: Glossy Leather Boots (Violet, skirm camp cosmetic vendor)
*The circlet is entirely optional for this outfit.
** Also shares the same skin with the Recruit's Medium Gloves of Naillan from the skirm camp medium armor vendor.
Absolutely lovely! Even though not every piece has EVERY color, all the colors flow together very nicely to form a well-rounded outfit.
ReplyDeleteI actually have had that cloak sitting in my vault for sometime, as it is a quite unique and interesting cloak, but haven't found other pieces that compliment it. I must say that the shoulders flow perfectly into the cloak. Once again, great job! :)
And that was another point to this outfit, to not have all the colors of the outfit in each and every piece. Striking a balance like this, between outer cosmetics (shoulders, gloves, boots, cloaks, helmets) and inner cosmetics (chest and legs) is another fun approach. I've been making outfits for so long that I can picture similarly styled and dyeable gear an use that approach from time to time. It doesn't always work and it can be difficult to mix and match that way. The more unique the piece, the harder it gets.
DeleteAnd as for that cloak, it's certainly an interesting one. I've always found that large. undyeable, and navy-greyish portion to be a royal pain. If I'm not using similar or close-approximations of the color, I avoid it. But it certainly has its uses!
I find that a blog overhaul is a great way improve morale when blogging, especially about video games. Sometimes I feel positively uninspired while playing Lotro and it can quickly become boring. Tweaking and rearranging the layout itself really helps alleviate that boredom and reminds me it is as important as the outfits I post. As for your post, the Shoulders of the Mighty Verse is my favorite piece, too :) it is just so versatile and lord-of-the-ringsy!!
ReplyDeleteI do feel reinvigorated again, now that this blog finally feels LOTR (not necessarily LOTRO) friendly. Redesigning this from the ground up definitely gave me a new perspective, and not just on cosmetics. I used to put so much time and care into my creations that I neglected almost everything else about this blog. It wasn't very user friendly. The site was dark, dreary, and visually unappealing. The guides that used to exist sat there uncompleted for almost two years. And so I decided to do something about it! And besides, what better message can come from this than "I'm not giving up so easily!"
DeleteNow I'm going to do my best and let those shoulders collect dust for a couple of months...if I can help it :p
Ooh, my minstrel/wardrobe character has been wearing similar 'main' pieces, though with plum and burgundy type colors rather than rust and violet. *feels validated* :p (http://miraear.wordpress.com/2014/03/25/miraear-the-minstrel-stylist/)
ReplyDeleteI love how white the chest piece dyes, besides just looking great. :) And I don't think I even noticed those boots at the skirm camp - like! If I'm not mistaken, the gloves are also available as a Shire quest reward, as Hyacinth's Gauntlets.
Compared to mine, there are some subtle variations in your outfit. It's lovely, it's colorful...and now I find myself wanting to get those leggings. The straps that run down the sides of the legs are undoubtedly alluring :)
DeleteI find a ton of my boots between the cosmetic skirm camp vendor and the armor shop on the eastern side of Bree. I think you can find the ones I used at the vendor, but I prefer the camp version because they're not restricted by armor class. It's nice not having to add something to the wardrobe that can sit in shared storage!
Can you please tell me where to find the halberd too? Lovely blog btw ! I'm so inspired to make many of your outfits that I'm going to be very busy for while trying to get the cosmetics. I think I will make at least 10 outfits from your blog ! Amazing and very good taste ! Keep it up !
ReplyDeleteThank you for those kind words! Sorry it's taken so long to get a reply to you. I've been searching high and low for this halberd for you. I wish I had known there would be cosmetic weapons on the way at the time. The halberd is called Glosthoron and it's a drop from a rare elite master in Angmar called Doldagnir that tends to hang out in the areas between Carn Dum and Gath Forthnir.
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