Insider Trader: Chic choices
by Lisa Poisso 
Jan 25th 2008 at 3:00PM
It looks like the grumbling was on target – many players really were raiding simply to get epic gear (and not for the sheer joy of raiding). Now that they can get epic gear easily through PvP, the herd is turning away from PvE raiding and signing up for Arena teams in droves. What drives players toward the purple clothes? Is it symptomatic of PvE ennui? Is it indicative of the relative ease of the Arena reward system? Insider Trader has another theory, drawn from the observations of those unassailable sages, ZZ Top: Every girl's crazy 'bout a sharp-dressed man.
Pure and simple – packaging sells. And when you want your character to look his or her best, what you need is a tailor. This week, Insider Trader reviews the wardrobe a well-dressed citizen will want to have banked for all sorts of events, from the festive wedding celebration to the everyday restocking trip to town. Ever wondered who uses all those weird dyes on the General Trade merchants? That would be you, once you discover the pure panache of the perfect shirt. L2Bchic, after the break.
You've got the look
Below, we review some of the most popular tailored items in a well dressed player's wardrobe. There are all sorts of variations (for instance, shoes and gloves that match certain items are hard to find for low-level alts and bankers), and we found very little collected information telling players what looks good with what. If you've put together an especially stunning ensemble, please stop by the comments to share your fashion savvy.
Admiral's Hat This hat gives you all the flair of a pirate with none of the faction hits needed to earn a Bloodsail Admirals' Hat.
Black Mageweave Leggings These are the infamous black thigh-high stockings you may have seen certain loose women wearing around town. Equip at your own risk.
Festival Dress The pattern for these pretty little numbers, popular year-round, come from a lunar festival quest.
Green Winter Clothes Also available in a red version, this is the suit for young men who ... love ... their female avatars.
The TuxedoComprised of the Tuxedo Jacket , Tuxedo Pants and Tuxedo Shirt, this set is the classic – for black-tie events, for ganking runs, any time you need to look your best.
White Wedding Dress A classic piece for the ladies. The White Woolen Dress makes a pretty alternative.
Dresses
The prettiest, most unique frocks come from holiday events, both as direct drops and tailoring patterns. This can make it difficult to track down a tailor with a specific holiday pattern. Check a dress listing to see screenshots and find out how to quest for or get a particular dress tailored for you.
Shirts
Being well-dressed means having the right shirt under your armor – and the right shirt for town, and parties, and dueling, and ... Shop the possibilities at a shirt page for ideas. Here are a few standouts:
- Black Swashbuckler's Shirt A hot look on both men and women.
- Bright Yellow Shirt Unique color.
- Dark Silk Shirt A formal standard.
- Rich Purple Silk Shirt A deep, vibrant hue that complements many armor sets.
- Orange Martial Shirt The only shirt with true black sleeves.
If you spend any time at all putting together a special outfit or two, you'll find yourself noticing all sorts of items on other players and in the Auction House that would perfectly complete your look. Whether it's white gloves to complement your tuxedo or the right shoes to offset your holiday dress, the accessories are out there ...
My question to you, dear readers: Where are they? I have yet to find an inclusive list of WoW fashion that includes not only player-made, tailored items (as above) but also vendored, dropped and especially quested items. The list of attractive quested items alone is huge, because many of the prettiest dresses and clothes are holiday quest rewards. Do we have any fashionistas out there who have compiled a comprehensive list of WoW fashion? E-mail me your resources and we'll feature them here on Insider Trader.
Insider Trader's Lisa Poisso would wear a pretty festival dress on all her characters, if she could manage the bag and bank space to justify keeping them around.
Filed under: Tailoring, Insider Trader (Professions), RP
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
drjonesac2 Jan 25th 2008 3:17PM
I'll admit I'm a bit of a looks freak when it comes to my Dwarf hunter. I have repeatedly banked a mail helm with better stats in favor of wearing cool looking fedoras. My favorite: Mirrin's Drinking Hat http://www.wowhead.com/?item=23587
onetrueping Jan 25th 2008 3:34PM
I've found that with Mirren's Drinking Hat and a Red Swashbuckler's Shirt, a tux setup can look pretty sharp. Also, certain grey or white sets of armor are pretty spectacular as well.
Tasty Jan 25th 2008 3:20PM
I particularly love the "Stylish Black shirt" So much in fact i payed about 10g for one on my priest (3rd character)
So rare on my fledgling server, but worth it.
Irian Jan 25th 2008 3:19PM
My draenei banker runs around in tuxedo set. My main chara, though, wears a special set in towns
http://irian.nd.e-wro.pl/wow/fullornateset.jpg
Took me some time to gather, as it's all world drops (kudos to my wonderfull guild for help!), but it was well worth it.
Grimstone Jan 25th 2008 3:22PM
Looks indeed very nice, what items are those on you?
Irian Jan 25th 2008 3:32PM
@ Grimstone - it's the Ornate mail set + the Essence Focuser and Crystal Pulse shield, which I'm using on my normal gear, too. :)
Milktub Jan 25th 2008 4:00PM
I'm not a style freak -- most of my toons don't wear a shirt ...
But I have turned down better shoulders on my rogue because I have the lv70 BG reward shoulders that I think look hot, what with their flames and such.
Richard Jan 25th 2008 4:04PM
My bank alt runs around IF in the 3 pc Tuxedo set, the B.E.E.R goggles from Brewfest (one of the few pieces of headgear available at lvl.5), and the Brewfest shoes (they actually compliment the tuxedo quite well).
MH is the Brewfest Drinking Tankard and OH is a giant fish. It's a great setup.
Michael Guenther Jan 25th 2008 4:06PM
That was one of the awesome things about Anarchy Online.
If you spent a minimal amount of time you could get low level gear that worked effectively for your level AND matched when placed on your toon's frame.
Ametrine Jan 25th 2008 4:16PM
I wish I'd known about Horde being able to get Alliance pattern for winter clothes... I was so disappointed when my Warlock tailor got the green pattern instead of the red.
bennet Jan 25th 2008 5:10PM
One of the best uses for the wedding dress I've found is switching into it for the later Netherwing races out in Shadowmoon. Much cheaper than repairing your usual gear if you get knocked off your mount, and some amusement value chasing after Skyshatter like you're a bride he's desperately trying to leave at the altar...
SaintStryfe Jan 25th 2008 5:14PM
Oh, if you have a main that reguarly does the cooking dailies, once and a while they drop [Tarnished Silver Ring] and [Tarnished Silver Necklace] - I have one of each on my bank alt and always get asked where they are.
Oh, and if you need a very fast pair of simple black shoes/boots, the Recruit's Boots, which come on starting warriors, are nearly free and work just fine for many outfits.
My AH mule wears her guild uniform (Festival Dress) along with the brown brewfest hat (she lives in SW, though she owns the Goggles from Brewfest, she can't click on the Bank tellers -they're too short behind the wall!), tuxedo boots, Holiday Boots (also nice easy ways to get black shoes) and the aforementioned silver ring and necklace.
Tianalyrsil Jan 25th 2008 5:27PM
I bought the black tuxedo pants to wear with my Winter Clothes (my poor paladin was cold without pants!) and then noticed several days later that pants didn't show up when wearing the winter clothes anymore.
Percephene Jan 25th 2008 6:03PM
I'm an avid collector of dress up clothes, most of my bank consists of various sets I've collected and I'm always trying items on in the dressing room just in case. I even use Model Viewer to help quickly find items to complement my sets.
Often the finishing touch is a non-combat pet! XD
Recently completed sets:
Pirate outfit - Kinda a must have but I really think mine is a bit special. http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee82/Percephene/WoWScrnShot_112907_194539.jpg
Witches outfit - For halloween! http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee82/Percephene/witchesoutfit.jpg
My draenei priest has a completely white look, I purposely made her entirely white when I started her, and gathered the whitest outfit I could, complete with Snowy Gryphon and White Moth pet! no pic atm :(
Beerwench set - no pic either =S
and my fishing outfit, complete with fingerless gloves off the rare spawn in Elwynn Forest: http://i233.photobucket.com/albums/ee82/Percephene/fishingoutfit.jpg
Irian Jan 26th 2008 1:28AM
Huh, I do that too! Have both a witch outfit and a pirate one (with the admiral's hat, admitedly, I was too lazy to grind rep with pirates for hat), and a completely white draenei mage in training - she'll run around in Mooncloth Robe. Actually, I made a white chara just because I loved how Keepers of Time looked in a robe like that. :D
Various dress-up items are nice, too. Like the vindicator whatever disguise from blade edge's quest, or dartol's rod, or that orb that changes you into a black whelp. My bank is now too small for all my items. :D
Anteia Jan 26th 2008 6:28AM
I'm surprised the formal dangui (http://thottbot.com/?i=18991) wasn't mentioned in the comments yet. Fairly rare to get considering it only spawns on one merchant, but to me, it's the most beautiful dress to be found in game. The intricate details on it are just gorgeous.
Pucelle Jan 26th 2008 10:25AM
I have so many "special clothes" I lose count... [this is possibly why I have no bank space!] - my favourite outfit's probably the Sacrificial Robes with the Mantle of the Fire Festival and the Crown of the Fire Festival.
I think I need to get that dangui, though.
Digitalhawkeye Jan 27th 2008 5:18AM
As far as shirts go, I've always had a preference for the Fine Cloth Shirt that you get from "A Hunter's Challenge" in Loch Modan. It always makes me sad that there's no Horde equivalent when I play on that side.