Whoops, I Moved!

It seems unlikely that anyone was just watching this blog, or was, in fact, following it at all, however just in case, you should know that the articles here have now moved. Dressing Vidal has been absorbed into my leaner, more doll-focused Vidal's Dolly Realm and is there to stay. It will mean that the fashion articles are a little harder to find alone, but as I write them so infrequently anyway, I'm sure that won't be missed.

Hope to see you there!

Vidal Jetson

I cannot deny it: I am in a very Jetsons kind of frame of mind right now. It's all stemmed from a work engagement, in which Botgirl Questi reminded me of the greatness of this cartoon. In the greater scheme of raygun futures, The Jetsons is surely one of the strongest icons going.

In seeking out fun screenshots and promotional art from the series, I was also reminded of Judy and Jane Jetson's wardrobes. They may shop just about as much as any digital person on the Grid, but their outfits are often the same from one week to the next. Darned cute, though, and it's a wonder to see such vibrant pinks in the future.

So, putting the models' vaguely disturbing facial expressions to one side, I was thrilled to find these hallowe'en costumes online. If First Life girls can have Jetsons cosplay, why can't Raygun Vidal?

Along comes Jetdoll. I'd been here once before, probably on the back of a search for plain "doll", and enjoyed its rockabilly ranges. It's a shop which does carry a hint of appreciation for the same Extropian futures that I enjoy, however having a specific Judy Jetson costume (and the only one on the Grid at that) makes it that bit better in my books.

...and there it is. It's a lightweight outfit - a flexible collar made of triangular prims, a shirt and 'pants' layer of mesh clothing and a cylindrical prim skirt. At least the Jetsons never had to worry about ARC.

JetDoll also sells a hairstyle made especially for the outfit, and I find that this is the best achievement. The perky little gravity-defying ponytail really puts me in the Jetson mood, and it's textured quite well.

Texture is, sadly, the one point I feel is missing from the ensemble. It's only L$99, but comes in a sort of rubber look which, while cute still, seems to go against my idea of Judy in... cottons and lycra, perhaps. I also ended up having to tint the skirt to a slight grey to have it match the leggings. On the other hand, if I want to update that texture, I can add my own. The outfit is modifiable and copiable, so I can't really go complaining.

• Photographs from Google images (uncredited fancy dress costume designer), JetDoll's blog and my own collection, shot in Extropia.
• 'Whisp sultry red' skin by Sin Skins
• 'Party pumps' by Shiny Things
  

Feeling Bloated

This is me in the one item of novelty that's brought me the biggest grin I though possible. 'The Inflatable Woman', by steampunk and dolly powerhouse Curio Obscura. It almost defies description, really. I have been transformed into a thing of pure rubber. I squeak when I walk. I have a tube sticking out of my neck and when I sit down, I'm spread legs akimbo. All of the above should make the next Extropian board meeting a very amusing one indeed.

There's not so much to say about the clothing in this ensemble, though the options are very generous. Miss Inflatable Dolly comes with a bodice and three skirt lengths (I opted for the shorter here), a choice of Victorian-style skirt ruffles or a big, pretty bow, and the option for gloves and stockings to come or go. Oh, and two hairdos - one up, one down. Best of all, though, are the skin and facial details. The limbs are lined with that plastic tagging so synonymous with inflatables, and your dolly facial expression can be altered to suit the mood or situation. I flit between 'kissy' and 'smiling' in these shots, but there's also a sultry 'neutral' and explicitly authentic-looking 'open' to choose from.

As if the comical waddle, squeaky sound effects and utterly fantastic stare weren't enough, this inflatable comes with a rather kinky option for anyone curious enough to hug you, or if you feel so inclined to attack yourself with a bicycle pump.

"Huff, huff..."

"Hup, there it goes! Whoah, can't balance..."

You get the picture. The whole ensemble is just lovely. Thought out so far that the AO alters to reflect your expanded state, giving you the appearance of trying to stay on the ground just as much as move anywhere. You're also given no license to squeeze into dinky armchairs or lay daintily upon the ground. It's limbs spread, belly squeaking or nothing, honey.

"What's more embarassing, I wonder? Stumbling into an office to find a discarded inflatable love doll there, or being that love doll? Well, with a figure this good, I'm not ashamed."