Bricks in suit

Medieval houses

2011-11-12T21:42:00.001+01:00

Hello!

I have not written anything in a long time because I have a lot of work nowadays and I cannot find time for writing. Today I would like to present medieval buildings made in an interesting way by Brickshelf user ZCerberus:

More photographs in the gallery.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

10222 Winter Village Post Office

2011-08-22T20:01:00.000+02:00

Hello!

I am sorry that I have not written anything lately. I was doing some non-Lego business. Today I want to write (with some delay) about a new-released set, continuation of 10126 Winter Village Shop. This time this is a winter post office. It contains 820 parts and 7 minifigs. Behold the photos:

I like the instruments - saxophone and banjo, and the car very much.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Pictures at the Exhibition - part 2 - Gnomus

2011-07-08T20:18:00.002+02:00

Hello,

Today there is another part of "Pictures at the Exhibition" series. This time the vignette depicts (as Stasov says) "a sketch depicting a little gnome, clumsily running with crooked legs." The Hartmann's picture that inspired Mussorgsky was a design sketch for a nutcracker with large teeth.

You can listen to Ravel's transcription on "Gnomus" here:

Music link

Here are the pictures:

Back of the work:

As perhaps you can see, the fireplace in gnome's cave is iluminated using the same method as in the previous vignette. This time I decided to change the method of activating the light, however:

This scene is a bit worse than the previous one, but nevertheless I think it is worth publishing. ;) I wait for comments.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Pictures at the Exhibition - part 1. - Promenade

2011-07-04T18:16:00.000+02:00

Hello!

This is my first MOC I publish here. I think it is quite good. ;)

The MOC I have built is a depiction of first movement - Promenade - of the famous suite "Pictures at the Exhibition" by Modest Mussorgsky. Comment by Russian critic Stasov goes as follows: In this piece Mussorgsky depicts himself "roving through the exhibition, now leisurely, now briskly in order to come close to a picture that had attracted his attention, and at times sadly, thinking of his departed friend." The departed friend is a Russian painter Viktor Hartmann, whose paintings inspired Mussorgsky to compose "Pictures".

The piece was originally composed for piano, but the transcription (by Ravel) for orchestra is perhaps more pictorial, so it fits more here; you can listen to the piece here:

Music link

Here are the pictures:

Note that the picture at the exhibition is Hartmann's "Paris Catacombs":

:)

Here is Mussorgsky himself:

Some random gentleman:

A close-up on the front of the tenement:

After building the whole vignette, I decided to put some electricity in it. :) So I have taken an old 9V battery box, a light brick and a wire and I illuminated the exhibition. :)

(It really looks better in real - it is hard to take a picture in which you can clearly seen that the exhibition in illuminated.)

The light is activated by pressing a big red button in the back:

I hope you liked this MOC. Comment, please. ;) Soon I will make the other 10 movements of "Pictures at the Exhibition".

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Vignette - a manor room

2011-06-25T22:28:00.000+02:00

Hello!

I am going to build something myself soon. I hope I will present my own MOC already in the next post. I will distinguish it from other MOC posts by means of the history of building and photos of elements invisible in regular presentation (if there will be any). At present however, a vignette by diidy showing a room in an old manor and its owner:

The chair, footrest and lamp are certainly worth attention. The trophy bird on the shelf and the pipe are also conspicuous. My favourite part is however the shelf itself with compartments made using SNOT in a very interesting way. Perhaps I will use this technique in some of my MOCs.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Rashmor Castle

2011-06-21T11:43:00.000+02:00

Hello!
For a very long time I have not written about any MOC made by a member of Club of Young Lego Fans (KMFL), in which I am a member, too. Recently a chance finally showed up. :) Lolino built a castle - one of the best I have seen, if we are talking about young builders. It is not in minifig scale, but the author of the MOC is working on it. :) His constructions are inventive in using building techniques and very detailed. Behold the pictures:

More photos in the gallery.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

The best Lego sets ever - No. 8

2011-05-31T23:48:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Today there will be the new post about best Lego sets. This time this is a set that I already own, namely:

5978 Sphinx Secret Suprise from Adventurers theme, Egyptian Desert subtheme:

As I own this set for a rather long time, it will be easier for me to rate it.
First: this set is perfectly designed. The sphinx looks very realistically and aesthetically. The statue of Anubis, neat automobile, palm tree and ingenious in their simplicity camp with fireplace and tent fulfill it.
Second: as it may be predicted for an Adventurers set - it is very playable. I even state that the traps and hideouts in this set are the most imaginative of all from Adventurers history. They are: a mummy jumping out of the sphinx after snapping a pivot, a falling obelisk (under which there is a hideout) and a hideout in the front of the sphinx, under a grey plate.
The set contains 7 minifigs: Johnny Thunder, Dr Kilroy, Pippin Read, Baron von Barron, Slyboots, a mummy and a skeleton. The rare pieces are among others a white headcloth on the head of the skeleton and a transparent dome used as a glass-case.
Because of all these features I think that this is the best Adventurers set.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

New exclusive tenement - 10218 Pet Shop

2011-05-07T19:55:00.000+02:00

Hello!

There are new information about a new exclusive set from my favourite theme - Modular Houses. It will be 10218 Pet Shop. It will contain 2032 parts, standard 4 minifigs. There will be some pieces in interesting colours. Its price will not be different than prices of other tenements. The date of release is written as the beginning of May. Behold the pictures:

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

The best Lego sets ever - No. 9

2011-04-26T13:39:00.000+02:00

Hello! Today there will be the next post about the best Lego sets. Now there is the time for number 9, namely:

6990 Monorail Transport System from Space theme, Futuron subtheme:

I also do not own this set. Nevertheless it is the best Lego Space set (so it will be the only representative of this theme). It was the first set, in which my favourite Monorail system, about which I have written here. It is of course present on my list of priority purchases. :)
The assortment of the parts from this set is not very extraordinary, but it is large enough to build your own Monorail train. There are few tracks, but when you will have some other sets with this technology used, you can expand them to quite large sizes. The set also contains parts with lights, a cable and so-called battery box, which allow to build MOCs with shining parts, not neccessarily related with Space or trains at all.
The main model of the set itself was well designed and it is nice looking. It is also quite playable - it contains various lockers and five minifigs - two blue astronauts and three yellow ones. The next advantage are alternative models given on the back of the instructions sheet:

It is all for today. In the next part there will be a set which is already in my possession. :)

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Adventurers comics by Athos

2011-04-10T08:58:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Today I want to show you Adventurers-themed comics made by Steven Bishop, also known as Athos.

At present, he made four of them:

1. Johnny Thunder and the King of the Gypsies - it tells the story of Eridanus Cooke (a friend of Johnny, a "replacement" for dr Kilroy) and his peripeteia with the king of the gypsies and his daughter. The content is perhaps not very elegant, but the plot is interesting. ;) The comics, apart from Kilroy, also does not contain Baron von Barron.

2. Johnny Thunder and the Poachers of Prehistory - one of the less interesting, in my opinion. It tells the story of poachers hunting for dinosaurs on some South American island. They also capture miss Pippin Read.

3. Johnny Thunder and the Cave of Terror - this is my favourite comics. This is a story about Johnny and his friends and his enemies - including dr Kilroy and Baron von Barron - searching for a treasure in a cave, which they found out to be magic and haunted (it sounds a bit funny :) ). It is worth mentioning, that the story was published on the All Saints Eve, also known as Hallowe'en. ;)

4. Johnny Thunder and Blackheart's Gold - all "classic" heroes and Eridanus Cooke are included. The story is about searching for a pirates' treasure in amazon jungle.

A comics named "Johnny Thunder and Valhalla's Stepchildren" telling about adventures of the adventurers with vikings, is said to be in progress, but I do not think that it will be finished in the nearest future.

Anyway, I encourage you to read and watch.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

The best Lego sets ever - No. 10

2011-03-31T11:46:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Alas, I have not been posting for over one month. That was caused not only by the lack of time (which is notorious for me :) ), but also by the lack of an idea for a interesting post (which was the cause at this time). Fortunately I decided in time to write a list of ten articles (not very long), and each of them will describe one Lego set I consider distinctive. The majority of them will be the sets I own myself, as they will be easier for me to rate. I will start from the end, so today is the number 10. On this place there is:

5986 Amazon Ancient Ruins from Adventurers theme.

I do not own this set. Perhaps it is not so great set, so it could be placed in an objective list (which actually cannot be made), but it is included in mine because of the sentiment. I remember as I looked at its photos from the Brickset, building instructions from Peeron and searching if someone is selling it on the Internet. :)
Its biggest value, as for the majority of sets from Adventurers theme, is its playability achieved by various traps, which I loved to start and hand over "the bad" towards annihilation (as I have got a younger sister, I sometimes do it nawadays, too :) ).
The sets contains eight minifigs, including my namesake Dr Kilroy, Johnny Thunder, miss Pippin Read (aka Gail Storm, I never found out which is correct), Señor Palomar, sailor Gabarro and guardian Achu. The interesting part is undoubtely the golden disc, the most valuable Adventurers treasure.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

New Kingdom sets

2011-02-25T21:22:00.001+01:00

Hello!

Of course I forgot about the post, but after all it is probably better to plan them in time.

So, recently new Lego Kindom sets for year 2011 showed up. Here they are:

I like the last set the most - it looks like it is quite playable. Also the trees in the penultimate one look nice.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Collectable minifigures - volume no. 5

2011-02-20T20:09:00.000+01:00

Hello!

Alas, I can't keep up in posting. In not so distant past, three news showed up, this is one of them. I will publish the next one perhaps tomorrow.

A photo of the new - fifth volume of collectable minifigs showed up on Eurobricks:

One of my suggestions has been used - Sherlock Holmes in dapper tweed outfit (maybe TLG representatives sometimes browse Eurobricks :) ). I also like very much the student and the Royal Officer. Also the clown and the mafioso are worth attendance. ;)

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

The return of Maersk Blue

2011-02-09T09:37:00.000+01:00

Hello!

I haven't written anything because I was ill and I haven't moved from one place. ;)

Recently on Eurobricks came up an information about releasing (in not very distant future, from what I know in march this year) a new train from Maersk Lines, known for characteristic colour. The train will be motorized with Power Functions.

The set, except the train itself, will contain a truck and three containers, and also three minifigs. What's interesting, that will have helmets in colour Maersk Blue, which are nowadays one of the most expensive Lego parts, but apparently this record won't last long. ;)

For the end, pictures, of course:

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Pipe organs

2011-01-22T22:23:00.000+01:00

Hello!

Perhaps I would want to write about organs, about how do they work and how to play them, but I will not do that because it's a blog about Lego and I will not "litter" it, or as maybe some would say, without quotation marks. ;)

Since I recently started to play organ, I have checked the Brickshelf, what are the entries on that matter there. I found that there are even some interesting ones, namely models of the Brickshelf user hidaka:

The first one is a rather little MOC, in priciple a vignette, and what comes next, the organ showed in it are relatively small. It is at the same time the only model in minifig scale. The pipes are made of yellow tiles, the manuals are made in that way, so the usually white keys are black and vice versa. It is of course seen in the original instruments. Alas, it lacks stop knobs, or knobs used to activate organ stops.

Gallery

The next organ is yet larger. The keyboards are coloured regularly. The organ front looks interesting; pipes are ingeniously built of grey bricks and inverted slopes, using holes in bases of the latter. It also lacks the drawknobs.

Gallery

The last organ is the biggest and, in my opinion, the best. The pipes are yellow, with using both techniques from the previous works. The manuals are again uncommonly coloured, there are also drawknobs! - as a matter of fact, in not a typical place, but still:

There is also the back; it looks a bit slovenly, but it's perhaps as it should:

Gallery

Now we wait for someone, who will build the largest, still working Wanamaker Organ in Philadelphia. :)

Though, as a matter of fact, it's a dummy organ front, this is the real instrument:

But I change the subject. :)

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Merry Christmas!

2010-12-24T08:47:00.002+01:00

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!

The best wishes from Dr Kilroy and Krzysztof

A christmas tree by PurpleDave

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Cottage

2010-12-20T09:37:00.001+01:00

A new post from our invaluable Krzysztof:

Hello!

A few days ago, a LUGPol user - maciejer has showed his amazing construction, or cottage. The name is rather unsuitable, because it's rather a big house...

An amazing building in beautiful colours, fully furnitured interior, four storeys, the garden... What more could you want? :) The house undoubtely makes makes a big impression, but "the garden" is also interesting - a lot of plants and declines of ground make the construction more realistic.

Here's the gallery.

Best regards, Krzysztof

The next series of collectable minifigs!

2010-12-10T21:19:00.000+01:00

Hello!

Right, this is the fourth series of collectable minifigs. There aren't any elegant dresses, but I really like the garden gnome. :)

Yes, yes, here you are, photos:

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

LEGO and NASA join forces

2010-11-22T15:23:00.000+01:00

A new post from Krzysztof:

Hello.

Recently, NASA oficially stated, that in 2011 it will cooperate with The Lego Group again. It will consist of, among others, building selected Lego sets by astronauts on the International Space Station in the space. On this occasion, in 2011 the following set will be released, or...

The International Space Station:

This is an extraordinary set because of amount of TransBlue tiles. There are 256 of them in size 1x8 studs and 24 in size 1x4 studs! Additionally the set resembles the original station very well.

That's how the computer model of the real station looks like:

In my opinion the idea is exquisite and I will definitely belong to the group of happy owners of this station made of bricks. :)

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Continued news about collectable minifigs...

2010-11-20T14:25:00.000+01:00

Hello!

I knew that yesterday, but I wanted to dose data. :)

Lego canceled using bar codes on packages - instead of this a secret system of dots is used. :) Here is a cheatsheet for curious:

I'm curious what they will invent in the fourth volume - it is likely that the minifigs will be in boxes or tins.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

New collectable minifigs already in retail!

2010-11-19T08:31:00.000+01:00

Hello!

The new, third series of collectable minifigs is already in stores. They can be bought on Ebay. Also try in shops in bigger cities.

Thanks to this information, we know that these are ultimate, not preliminary forms of these minifigs. There are the most recent photos:

By the way, someone has put the mummy's torso front to back... :)

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

New collectable minifigs

2010-11-07T09:17:00.002+01:00

Hello!

I've just found (through the Eurobricks) a preliminary picture of the third series of Lego collectable minifigs:

Alas there are no elegant dresses, but there are also some interesting parts: fisherman's beard, "Gorilla suit guy" (I'm interested what head does he own), tennis player's hairpiece, race car driver, etc.

There are no informations on date of release of these figs, but I think that the price will be the same as the prices of previous series.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Oversized parts

2010-10-29T22:22:00.000+02:00

Hello!

I haven't posted for a long time, I'm sorry. Today I want to show you a MOC I found on The Brothers Bricks. It was built by Matija Grguric and shows Lego parts. Oh, nothing interesting, right? Well, they're in a different size you think:

The similarity is so large that when I saw these the first time, I couldn't tell them from real parts. The interesting fact is that they will be available for sale in Creations for Charity action, about which I've posted a year ago and about which I'll post in the nearest future.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Exclusive set - Diagon Alley 10217

2010-10-14T07:55:00.000+02:00

A recent post from our friend, Krzysztof, of course about Exclusives: :)

Hello to everyone! Somehow it came that I haven't written anything recently, but I shall fill these gaps.

Recently an information and photos of a new, extraordinary set from Harry Potter theme appeared. It is a exclusive set - Diagon Alley. One who have read the book or have watched the film, knows what's going on. :)

The main elements are three buildings - Gringott's bank, Ollivander's store and Borgin & Burke's shop. Each building has got a furnished interior, but no back wall - for betterment of play. The set includes 11 beautiful minifigs and a lot of small accessories. Amount of parts is impressive - 2025.

As it always happens with licensed themes, this set won't be inexpensive.

Here is a film of my production with all photos.

Best regards, Krzysztof

Note from Dr: he unfortunately forgot about very elegant dresses of goblins and Fred and George! :)

My best sets

2010-10-05T21:49:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Another time in a row I apologize that I write so seldom, but I have a quite busy time in the year. Nevertheless, I try to write something from time to time. Recently, nothing worth attention happened in Lego community (from what I know), so the only way out is:
a) describe a MOC,
b) create a subject myself.

I wrote about MOCs recently (comparatively), so I decided to write about the sets that I'm most proud of. :)
Of course we have to start from my most rare and expensive set, namely:

1. 6399 Airport Shuttle:

I must make a review of it sometime. Maybe you remember a post about Monorail trains? Then I dreamed about such a train. After all I found a relatively cheap specimen on Allegro (Polish auction platform) and I got it for Christmas. I must admit that this is my favourite set. Putting aside the beautiful model and interesting, though old-fashioned minifigs, it reminds me of this old, good style of 80's. It encouraged me ultimately to buy old sets rather than new. Despite early origin, it is very playable. It also contains a lot of parts useful for building Monorail train and it can be expanded with other Flight sets, that's mainly why I'm planning to get 6597 Century Skyway, the next beautiful, classic Town set, for Christmas:

2. 10182 Cafe Corner:

That's of course Cafe Corner, one of the most cult sets of recent years. It launched the Modular Houses theme, one of the most succesful in the history of Lego. Maybe the next tenements are nice too, but Cafe Corner will be my favourite forever. ;) The only thing that doesn't suit me in this set is lack of any furniture, but designers haven't come up with such an idea yet - it can be got over. :)

3. 4558 Metroliner:

The next classic set, this time from Trains. That was my first, so old set. I didn't know what can I expect, so I was pleasantly suprised. The advantages of this set are big amount of classic minifigs, a few tracks and other Trains parts and opportunity of building two models from instruction, which in my opinion don't differ in look. Lack of a speed regulator must be considered as a disadvantage. Fortunately, I got mine with the set from the seller on Bricklink, furthermore they aren't particularly rare or expensive as 9V parts. Interior of locomotives is a bit modest, but I can't stick to anything in the car. An additional advantage is opportunity of buying an additional car in set 4547 Club Car:

Nowadays this set is rather expensive, it costs almost same as the train itself, so only real collectors can break even. ;)

4. 5978 Sphinx Secret Surprise and 5988 The Temple of Anubis:

Ones of the best and largest sets from my first theme, Adventurers. Later I rather switched to Town, but that doesn't mean I forgot about Johnny Thunder and his friends (including Dr Kilroy :) ). The main advantage of these sets and this, what I appreciate in Adventurers sets is a high level of playability. What would be this theme without pitfalls and traps? Apart from that, these sets contain a lot of interesting pieces and minifigs. Models, both buildings and vehicles, are successful in vast majority. Adventurers is the Lego Group's best offer from the period of so–called Dark Age of Lego.

5. 7171 Mos Espa Podrace:

Among rather boring and gray sets from Star Wars, this one grabs attention with its colours and size, and that's partly why it's one of my favourites. It's an excellent part donor for all kinds of gadgets, stuff and building miniatures. :) A lot of elements may also be useful for making greebles, or pseudo–technical elements of spaceships etc. Another pluses are Star Wars minifigs, when we can't use them, they can be disposed for a high price on Bricklink or aformentioned Allegro. :) The models are ones of the best from this theme and while Anakin's pod (blue–yellow) can seem small, and Sebulba's one (orange–black) coarse and heavy, the Gasgano's vehicle (green) is relatively light and interesting, so it is my favourite part of this set.

That's all for today. At the next time I will talk about my wish list, or the sets I want to own in my collection.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Hogsmeade station

2010-09-10T17:16:00.001+02:00

Hello!

I'm sorry I don't write, but I don't have any post ideas. :( Currently I work on a post about Lego Space history (idea by Krzysztof :) ).

Today I want to write about the gorgeous Hogsmeade station by Eurobricks user Matn. I'm not into Harry Potter very much, but this MOC amazed me:

I like the trees very much.

The station also has got an interior:

More photos in gallery.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

10216 Winter Village Bakery photos

2010-08-26T19:12:00.000+02:00

Hello!

An idea of this post fell into my mind some time ago, but I thought I'll leave this topic for Krzysztof, who is an old pro. :) Unfortunately, he don't reply to my mails, so I'm forced to write it myself.

A the beginning, data:

687 pieces
Price: 54,99 American dollars.

I'll skip the description. :)

Well, here are the photos:

Here is the high resolustion photo.

I will ask Krzysztof to describe this set, he'll do it better than me. :) I'll only say that a fragment of Lego's description saying that the set includes 7,5 minifigs made me laugh. :D That's assuredly an allusion to minifig legs stuck in snow drift...

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

The next Tower Bridge photos.

2010-08-21T12:13:00.000+02:00

A new post from Krzysztof (a bit outaded, but it's the last post lately translated here):

Hello to everyone.

Yesterday more photos of exclusive set Tower Bridge 10214 in larger resolution came up. Here they are:

Here is a photo in a very high resolution.

The model is amazing! A lot of rare pieces (eg. a huge amount of cheese slopes in tan) and a hugeness of this model knocks out. Additionally, the middle part of the bridge is bascule.

My gallery

Best regards, Krzysztof

Photos of Grand Emporium

2010-08-21T12:06:00.000+02:00

Hello!

Not so far ago, I bought 10211 Grand Emporium, so I thought that it will be nice to post its photos on the blog. My assistant Krzysztof also wanted to see them and reminded be about an obligation of making and publishing them. Finally I found a bit of time for it, so look:

The set is without minifigs here, I also changed a display in the shop at the ground floor a bit. ;)

I also had to describe this set - it is almost perfect. The only thing that bothers me is that the billboard is weakly attached to the roof, and the roof must be removed in order to attach the billboard, otherwise it could be destroyed. :( Apart from it I like it.

At the end a photo of all of my exclusives:

If you'll need some specific photos, please post your requests here, I'll be pleased to help.

Best regards, Dr

First photos of new Exclusive sets!

2010-08-21T11:53:00.002+02:00

A new post from Krzysztof:

Hello to everyone. Finally new exclusive sets - Tower Bridge 10214 and Winter Village Bakery 10216 - first photos were revealed.

Now the first and the largest (over 4200 pieces) - Tower Bridge:

From that we can see it is beautiful. :-) Tower Bridge is a very elegant construction from the end of XIX century and the idea of creating such a set was very successful. Like it can be seen, it is in microscale (because in minifig scale it would have 3 meters :-) ). Unfortunately the price will be as stunning as the impression that this set does make...

A winter bakery is an excellent addition to the set Winter Toy Shop 10199. It is designed in a similiar style. Making of the ice rink was an interesting and original idea.

Both sets are very elegant and worth buying. When photos in higher resolution will come up you will be informed about this in a jiffy.

Best regards, Krzysztof.

Elegance today? - part 2 (revised and supplemented)

2010-08-21T10:06:00.007+02:00

Hello!

Do you remember the last off-topic post? Maybe not everyone liked it, but because my knowledge about elegant dresses expanded, I decided to write the second part. It will contain similiar information, but some aspects will be revised or added. More photos will appear, too. For everyone interested in this subject, I recommend Wikipedia and Black Tie Guide, a site mainly about eveningwear, and for asking more specific questions Andy Gilchrist's forum.

At the end I say that I won't write about basic rules about wearing such garments (last jacket button unfastened, the proper trousers lenght etc.). Elementary, gentlemen. :)

Let's get to the point:

elegant dresses can be divided in two ways: by the time of wearing (daywear - until 6 P.M., eveningwear - after 6 P.M. or dark) or by the degree of formality. I'll divide it in this first way, but inside of these categories they will be ordered by degree of formality (descending). At the beginning I'll also post the ranking.

All elegant dresses fall into four categories: Formal, Semi-formal, Informal and Smart Casual. I hope that in the table it will be more readable.

Dresses	daywear	eveningwear
formal	morning dress frock coat (a bit more formal than morning dress, but rarely used) morning suit (the least formal)	white tie
semi-formal	stroller (nowadays rarely used)	black tie (also known as tuxedo also known as dinner jacket) mess jacket, in thirties civil garment, now only military evening dress
informal	lounge suit	like in daywear
smart casual	navy blazer	like in daywear

There is also dividing elegant dresses into "full dress", "half dress" and "undress", which is however archaic and doesn't reflect contemporary notion of formality very well. "Full dress" is frock coat or white tie, "half dress" is morning dress, and "undress" is black tie, lounge suit and all casual wear.

Let's start from daywear:

1. Morning dress:

Morning dress is the most formal daytime men dress. In Poland, some people (especially on wedding fora and guides for bridegrooms) call it "cut" (as if an abbreviation for "cutaway", morning coat), but this name is very inappropriate, moreover nowhere and never used.

It's composed of following parts:

- a morning coat, the characteristic coat. It's a frock coat (a coat reaching knees) with a triangular part of cloth cut away in the front, like it can be seen on illustrations. Morning coat should:
- be black or Oxford gray (the early more formal)
- be made of wool
- have one vent
- have in the front one (in some obsolete models two) button (it can be replaced by a chain link, two buttons connected by a chain, placed into two holes in coat; it can be seen on the third illustration) and two decorative buttons at the back (above the vent)
- have peaked lapels, formerly notched lapels were also correct
- have one welt breast pocket
- have four buttons on each sleeve
- have a waist seam, which will give it the proper shape.
An optional feature is decorative silk braiding around edges of the coat and lapels, like it can be seen on the third illustration (it diminishes formality of the coat).

- striped trousers, or trousers in special, black and white pattern, which from a distance looks like grey in black stripes:

Other permissible patterns are checks (on left) and chalk stripes (on right):

Irrespective of pattern, they should:
- be made of wool
- not have cuffs
- have one pleat on each leg
- be made to be worn with braces, ie have special buttons for attaching them and preferably fishtail back:

- a waistcoat. When the coat it buttoned, it shouldn't protrude too much from above or from below it. Theoretically it can be in any bright, pastel colour, but the most appropriate are dove gray and buff (creamy yellow). The most formal colour is black. Besides these, the best are lavender, biscuit, off-white and white. Permissible materials include wool, cashmere, silk, cotton and linen. The waistcoat can be single- or double-breasted, it also should have lapels. It can be seen well in this photo (this colour is exactly buff):

It should be remembered that the last button of single-breasted waistcoat should be unfastened.

An optional addition is a slipped waistcoat. In fact it isn't a waistcoat, but a piece of cloth sewn onto the real waistcoat, which imitates the second waistcoat worn underneath. It originates from the custom of wearing two waistcoats, practiced in Regency period. This effect can be seen on the fragment of photo from Prince Charles' wedding, where he was wearing a morning dress:

- a shirt. It should be white or other bright colour (subtle stripes are admissible) and should be fastened with buttons, it also shouldn't have stiff bosoms, characteristic for eveningwear. Two kinds of morning dress shirts are distinguished:
- the first kind:
- has got a detachable, high, white wing collar
- should be white
- can be worn only with black coat
- should have got single cuffs closed with cufflinks
- by some people is considered inappropriate for weddings.
The second kind (can be seen on three last pictures):
- has got a detachable, stiff, white turndown collar
- should have got double cuffs closed with cufflinks.

Standing collars are appropriate, but rather obsolete.

Detachable collars are attached by two studs - the longer one in the front, the shorter one at the back:

- neckwear. The first kind of shirt is worn with ascot tie, shown in the first photo.

The second kind of shirt is worn with regular four-in-hand tie.

For standing collars, both kinds of neckwear are appropriate.

Black, silver and gray and with subtle pattern or stripes are obligatory for bridegrooms:

For other occasions, other colours and patterns are permissible. It should be remembered that if the waistcoat is in some other colour than gray, buff and black, the necktie should notwithstanding be more formal.

A bow tie is usually considered inappropriate for morning dress, but it's a correct, but old-fashioned option:

These are basic rules, but four-in-hands are also suitable for wing collars and ascot ties with turndown collars, moreover it doesn't look bad. :)

- footwear. It should be leather, laced, well-polished black shoes, so-called "oxfords", or closed-laced shoes. It looks like that:

Shoes can also have broguing:

Boots with cloth uppers are also traditional, both lace-ups:

...and button boots:

They shouldn't be made of patent leather in any case.

- socks. Maybe it sounds funny, but not every socks are appropriate for formal dress. :) They should be black or dark gray, made of silk or cashmere. They also should be over-the-calf lenght.

Accesories:
- a cane - the best is black with white, golden or silver handle. If the weather is uncertain, better is to take a black or dark gray umbrella with wooden handle.
- gloves - lemon chamois for black coat (the real chamois leather is nowadays often replaced with leather of sheep, deer or goat), gray suede for gray one. They shouldn't be black in any case.
- a hat - more formal is black, non-collapsible, silk top hat:

Gray felt top hat with black band, like on the photo, is slightly less traditional and elegant:

Presently, the silk plush used for production of silk top hats is no more manufactured, so the only way to get a hat made of such a material is buying it used, but they are expensive. Wool or fur felt is used as a replacement.

- an overcoat - it should be black, dark gray or navy blue Chesterfield. It's a overcoat with black, velvet collar and peaked lapels. It can be single- or double-breasted:

In the first case buttons should be covered (fly front). Both overcoats in the picture are Chesterfiels, but the single-breasted one in the background is not quite traditional because it hasn't got a velvet collar.

- a handkerchief - it should be white, made of lawn of linen.
- a boutonniere - it's a flower placed in a hole in the left lapel of coat, which is also called boutonniere. The most appropriate for morning dress are white carnation or rose (only single flower! - bunches and greenery of any kind as well as flowers pinned into the lapel aren't welcome for any garment).
- a watch - the most appropriate for formal dress is a pocket watch with watch chain, which is placed into the pocket of the waistcoat.

There are also pocket watches with a lid, which protects the glass from scratches and dirt:

There are two kinds of watch chains - single- and double-ended. In single-ended on the one end there is a T-shaped bar, which is placed into a buttonhole of the waistcoat, and on the second end the watch is attached. In double-ended one the bar is in the middle of the chain, and a fob or a pocket knife can be attached to the second end. The first type is used mainly to the double-breasted waistcoats, the second type is used for single-breasted ones.

If we don't have a pocket watch, we can wear regular wristwatch. It certainly can't be sporting. Something elegant, with black, thin band and the colour matching the colour of cufflinks should be chosen:

- spats - white or gray. It looks like that:

Nowadays they are rarely used. That's how a morning dress with spats looks alike:

- braces - they are used not only because they are traditional, but also more comfortable than belts, and trousers fit better with them. Only button-on braces are appropriate.

That's all about morning dress.

2. Frock coat:

Frock coat is a formal daytime men dress, today considered as historical. An characteristic - and obligatory - element of it is a large amount of waist suppression obtained by a waist seam (as in morning dress) - without it a frock coat is just a weird overcoat. Two types of frock coats are distinguished - formal (the first illustration) and informal (the second illustration). Here we will talk about the first option, not historical, but that, which is appropriate today.

It's composed of:

- a frock coat, or a coat reaching knees. It should:
- be dark-coloured, usually black, charcoal or midnight blue (very dark navy blue, almost indistinguishable from black - more about it at white and black tie)
- be made of wool
- have peaked lapels, lined with satin, but with self-faced edges, as in the pictures, a special kind of silk called grosgrain is also appropriate:

- be double-breasted - it's a more formal and traditional option, single-breasted frock coats are appropriate for informal occasions
- buttons shouldn't reach the waistline
- have one vent
- have two decorative buttons at the back, above the vent (as in morning dress)
- not have any outer pockets
- have sleeve cuffs with two buttons on each
- all buttons should be lined with the same kind of silk as on lapels.

- striped trousers - see morning dress.

- a waistcoat. The most popular were double-breasted, they should have lapels. It's colour and material that it's made of is determined by occasion and season. Usually for formal occasions, a woolen waistcoat matching the coat or simply black is worn. For festive occasions lighter-coloured waistcoats, like bright gray were acceptable. In summer, white and buff waistcoats were worn. In early Victorian period, colorful, silk, fancy waistcoats were popular. An optional addition is a slipped waistcoat, see morning dress.

- a shirt. I don't know much about it, but I think the shirt should be made of the same material as the shirt for morning dress. However, it can be only white and it must have detachable standing collar. The cuffs are single, fastened with cufflinks.

- neckwear. The most appropriate is ascot tie, as for morning dress (the first type of shirt). Later, regular four-in-hand neckties were worn. A bow tie is an appropriate, but old-fashioned accesory - it was worn mainly in Victorian period.

- footwear - originally patent leather shoes were worn, but now they are reserved for eveningwear. Today black leather oxfords are appropriate for frock coat - see morning dress.

- socks - see morning dress.

Accesories:
- a cane - at one's own fancy, an umbrella is also correct.
- gloves - light gray, made of suede, chamois or kid.
- a hat - black, silk top hat.
- an overcoat - this is a special overfrock - an overcoat sewed exactly the same as the frock coat, but a bit longer, it hasn't got silk-faced lapels, and collar is often velvet:

- a boutonniere - see morning dress.
- a watch - see morning dress.
- braces - see morning dress.

Upon the large amount of references "see morning dress" we can see that morning dress and frock coat have a lot in common. No wonder - the first one originates from the second one after all.

3. Morning suit:

Morning suit is a kind of morning dress that consists of all matching, dove gray pieces. There's nothing much to write, so I place everything in one paragraph. All parts of the dress not only must be the same colour, but they also must be made of the same material, namely wool. Theoretically, ascots and wing collars aren't suitable for this dress due to lack of the black coat - however it's acceptable and quite elegant (in this photo actually wing collar and four-in-hand necktie - quite obsolete combination):

This suit is used instead of the regular morning dress on less formal situations, especially in summer. It's the matter of taste, but I think that a felt gray top hat fits better to this garment.

A black version of this dress is worn on funerals and is called mourning suit. Because the coat is black, ascots are appropriate here, but I think that is too fancy for a mourner's dress.

4. Stroller:

Stroller is a semi-formal daytime men dress. Nowadays it's rarely seen. It's a daytime equivalent of black tie (usually called tuxedo). A kind of stroller is a stresemann - the only main difference is that stroller can contain both single- and double-breasted jackets, while only the single-breasted jackets are appropriate for stresemann. Despite this difference, in some countries these names are used interchangeably. In Great Britain a name "black lounge" is used for this garment, from "lounge coat", a regular suit jacket in British English. Stroller has got many similarities with morning dress, so there will be many referencess as well.

Stroller is composed of:

- jacket. Exactly this is the only main difference between morning dress and stroller. But not every lounge suit jacket is suitable for this dress. It should:
- be single- or double-breasted (for stresemann only single-breasted), quantity of buttons unrestricted
- be made of wool
- be black or Oxford gray
- have peaked lapels (notched, or these as in regular suit, also are acceptable, but less formal - stroller becomes too similiar to regular lounge suit)
- have besom pockets (i.e. pockets with welts on edges), preferable without flaps, and one welt breast pocket
- have four buttons on each sleeve
- not have any vents.

- striped trousers - see morning dress. Checked and plaid trousers are more appropriate for stroller than for morning dress.

- a waistcoat - see morning dress. The most popular waistcoats for stroller are made of the same material as the jacket. They also appear more frequently in black.

- a shirt. At the beginning of its existence, the shirt of stroller had wing collar (the first type of morning dress shirt). Later, turndown collars were worn, both detachable and attached, as in standard lounge suit shirt. Other details as in morning dress.

- neckwear. It should be a regular four-in-hand necktie, preferable silver. Bow ties in dark colour are also correct.

- footwear - see morning dress.

- socks - see morning dress.

Accesories:
- a hat - a bowler (less formal) or homburg (more formal) in black or midnight blue:

A summer hat corresponding with formality with homburg is a straw boater:

All other accesories as in morning dress, well, maybe excluding spats. :) Today canes also aren't used frequently with semi-formal and informal garments. Wristwatches (these shown with morning dress) are also suitable for stroller.

5. Lounge suit:

A lounge suit (nowadays simply called suit) is the most popular elegant informal men dress. It is frequently worn by politicians, bankers and the most of white-collar workers, as well as bridegrooms (at least here, in Poland).
Lounge suits are both daytime and evening garments. They can be three- and two-piece (the latter don't contain waistcoat or it's in different colour as the jacket and trousers).
Their characteristic feature is that all pieces are in the same colour and (usually) they are made of the same material. Sometimes pieces of suits are mixed and eg. black trousers and gray jacket is worn. It isn't inconsistent with rules, but it divides the dress into two parts, thus people wearing such a garment can seem shorter than in the reality. Often suits are patterned with pin stripes or chalk stripes, checks and plaids are rather rare. The most popular colours are black, various hues of gray, navy blue, brown (according to some more distinguished gentlemen, in pursuance of rule "no brown in town", acceptable only out of town) and beige (too stark white should be avoided) and the most common materials are wool (including tweed; used for year-round suits or only for colder months), linen, cotton and silk (only for light, summer dresses).

A lounge suit consists of:

- a jacket. It can be single- or double-breasted (the latter more formal). It can have notched lapels (these the most popular; in the case of single-breasted jacket) or peaked lapels (in the case of double-breasted jackets). It can have one vent (sporting, American type; impermissible for double-breasted jackets), two vents (English type) or none (Italian type). Single-breasted jackets usually have two or three buttons (a jacket with one button looks like a bit shorter morning coat - quite elegant in my opinion), double-breasted ones six with one or two fastened. Pockets of the former often have flaps, and the latter are more formally besomed, as for stroller. Breast pockets are usually welt, as in formal garments. The best jackets have four buttons on each sleeve.

- trousers. They usually are in the same colour as jacket and are made of the same material. They can have pleats or not, but the first option is more elegant and comfortable. They also can be worn with braces or belt.

- waistcoat. An important piece of a three-piece suit and in some cases two-piece as well. It's usually simple, single-breasted, without lapels, which doesn't mean that double-breasted or lapelled waistcoats are inappropriate. Recently, especially in wedding suits (at least in Poland :) ), waistcoats in contrasting colours are seen. Despite that the dress is composed of three parts then, it's still a two-piece suit, because in three-piece suit all pieces must match. Such contrasting waistcoats are acceptable, but it must be remembered that neckties matching waistcoats are considered inappropriate and "waiter-esque". The only exceptions from this rule are colours black, white and in some cases gray.

- a shirt. It is a quite easy part of a lounge suit, but it must follow two rules:
- it should have long sleeves
- its colour should be brighter than the colour of the suit and the necktie (patterns are permissible).
The most popular are attached turndown collars, altough detachable ones are also seen. The other types are too formal for a contemporary lounge suit. There are also turndown collars, buttoned down to the shirt with two buttons. However, they are more appropriate for less formal garments. The shirts can have both single and double cuffs, the more elegant are closed with cufflinks, the less - buttons. The front is usually fastened with buttons, sometimes have fly front.

- neckwear. Today it's usually a regular, four-in-hand necktie. Bow ties are appropriate, but thay can be considered as eccentric by some. Ascot ties, as for first type of morning dress shirts, but often in other colours, are also more extravagant. In my opinion, they are suitable only when the suit contains a waistcoat.
The necktie should always be darker than the shirt. As an alternative, in 60's scarves tied in a special knot (like the regular four-in-hand knot, but without the last step - the one end isn't put through the loop) were worn with suit. In late 90's and at the beginning of the XXI century, wearing a necktie matching the shirt or even a light necktie with dark shirt was popular. A black suit with a black shirt and white necktie is stereotypically associated with gangsters and mafia. :)

- footwear. Various models and colours of shoes are worn with lounge suits. The most popular and correct are however oxfords (with closed lacing; as for morning dress) and derbies (with open lacing; informal). The most frequently seen colours are black and brown (preferred for bright suits).

- socks. It is said that they should be of matching or similiar colour to the colour of trousers. Really, they can be any colour, I'm quoting (as a matter of fact I don't know whom): "A businessman matches his socks to his pants. A gentleman matches his socks to his mood". :) The best is however to choose brighter socks for brighter suits and darkers socks for darker suits.

Accesories:
here is more leeway. The coat can be any, like gloves, boutonniere and hat (it only shouldn't be a top hat). Also either belt or braces, pocket or wristwatch (it however shouldn't be sporting), with or without cane can be chosen. :)

That's all about this very complicated garment, which has got so many cuts and models, that no one can be chosen from them. ;)

6. Navy blazer:

It's the least formal elegant men dress, both daytime and evening. It's characteristic elements are golden or silver buttons. A waistcoat isn't worn with it. Of course blazer can be worn with T-shirt, but then the garment losts its elegant nature. ;)

The set of navy blazer is composed of:

- a navy blazer itself. It doesn't differ in cut much from regular lounge coat. It should:
- be double-breasted, though recently also single-breasted models come up
- if it's double-breasted, it must have six or four metal (usually golden or silver) buttons (one or two fastened, very rarely models with two buttons with one fastened appear), if it's single-breasted it usually have three or two buttons
- have four metal buttons on each sleeve
- be navy blue (under the name), though today also black and charcoal are seen
- have two vents
- have patch or flap pockets and welt breast pocket (the welt isn't neccessary, but rather the most popular).

- trousers. They should be gray, as for a lounge suit. The lighter hue of gray, the less formal ensemble. They can be worn with braces or a belt. Theoretically (as for T-shirt) also beige or khaki trousers are acceptable, but it's highly casual.

- a shirt. The same model as for lounge suit, the best colours are light pink, blue and white.

- neckwear. It can be four-in-hand, bow tie or ascot tie, plain or patterned. In spite of all, I don't recommend the ascot tie this time. ;)

- footwear. For a navy blazer, the most correct are black or brown derbies. Oxfords are too formal in this case.

- socks - see lounge suit.

Accesories - see lounge suit. It must be remembered that a cane is a rather obsolete accesory and if we want to carry it with all garments, not only formal, we must be prepared for this can look old-fashioned and affected, but if it looks good, why not? ;)

That's all about a navy blazer and about daytime dresses at the same time. Now we move on evening dresses, which are fewer, and rules about them are more strictly determined.

1. White tie:

White tie, also known as tails, is the most elegant formal evening men dress, and in my opinion also the most elegant men garment. At the end of XIX century it was replaced by the black tie (also known as tuxedo). Because this dress comes from an uniform, in fact there are few things which can be changed in tails.
White tie is also a traditional and the most appropriate for an opera.

A traditional white tie consists of:

- dress tailcoat. It's a frock coat with a part of cloth cut away, but it is in the other shape as in morning dress, like it can be seen on the pictures. The dress tailcoat should:
- be made of wool,
- be black or midnight blue (this second option is a lot more original, but it must be remembered, that a white tie don't have to be original, but rather in the most the same as others):

- have peaked lapels, lined with satin or grosgrain (the second one is considered more distinguished; in midnight blue tailcoats the silk is often black instead of blue, but the choice of colour is dependent on the preference of the owner)
- have one vent
- be double-breasted, but never fastened
- have six buttons in the front, two at the back, over the vent, and four, touching with edges, on the sleeves - all lined with the same kind of silk as on the lapels
- have one welt breast pocket (some obsolete models haven't got it).

Traditionally, shawl lapels are also correct, but nowadays chances on seeing it are equal with chances of seeing a man strolling around in the old town of Warsaw in frock coat ( :) ):

- trousers. They should:
- be in the same colour as the tailcoat
- have one wide or two narrow stripes on side seams made of the same kind of silk as on the lapels of the tailcoat
- be made to be worn with braces
- have two pleats on each leg
- not have cuffs.

Correct, but equally obsolete and rare are breeches, or trousers reaching slightly below the knees, worn with black or white stockings and pumps:

- a waistcoat. Once, two variants were worn - black and white, now the only correct colour is white. Besides that, it should:
- be backless, or be fastened at the back with two straps, it looks like that (this one is actually black, for black tie, but the shape is still the same):

- have eyelets in the front instead of buttons, where waistcoat studs are inserted (in the case of tails, golden with mother of pearl are the most appropriate)
- be single- or double-breasted, in the first case it should have three studs, in the latter - four
- be made of white pique
- have oblong lapels with rounded or pointed bottom
- have two welt pockets
- not extend from the bottom of the tailcoat, as it can be seen on the illustrations.

It also must be remembered that in contrast to daywear waistcoats (for morning dress, lounge suit), evening waistcoats should be always fastened with all buttons or studs.

- a shirt. It should:
- be white
- have linen, cotton or pique stiff bosom
- have stiff, high, detachable wing collar with bold (broad) wings, slightly bigger than for morning dress (first type of shirt)
- have single cuffs closed with cufflinks (golden with mother of pearl)
- be fastened with one or two studs (golden with mother of pearl), number dependent of the wearer's height.

An alternative to wing collar is a regular, standing imperial collar, detachable of course. An example of this juxtaposition can be seen on the photo of the tailcoat with shawl collar.

- neckwear. It should be a white bow tie, self-tied, made of pique (matching waistcoat) or silk. We can choose between three shapes:

- "butterfly":

- modern "butterfly" or "thistle" or "semi-butterfly":

- "batwing":

Bow ties can also have pointed ends:

- footwear. It must be black patent leather, but we have to choose between two kinds of shoes:

- patent leather oxfords (the same shape as for morning dress), they shouldn't have any embellishments:

- patent leather pumps, with grosgrain bow (they are considered too feminine by some, but they look very elegant :) ):

Some prefer calf leather instead of patent leather, but I think that they don't have an appropriate look for evening wear.

- socks. They should be black, made of silk.

Accessories:
- a cane - (note - the piece of information was changed 10.02.11) in spite of the common belief (which even I had believed) the cane shouldn't be black with white ball handle. Emily Post, in her celebrated etiquette book (1937-1965 edition) says that such a cane is "the hallmark of the 'imitation gentleman' and never carried by a real one." A proper white-tie cane is black, with any handle, not gold or silver plated nor made of mother if pearl or ivory. It just should be all black.

- gloves - white, buckskin for outdoors, kid for indoors.
- a scarf - white, silk, with tassels:

- a hat - the best is a black collapsible top hat (opera hat):

A habit of wearing collapsible hats for tails appeared because there weren't any cloakrooms in opera houses, so everyone tried to make hats easy in storage.

After all a regular, non-collapsible top hat, as for morning dress, is also correct.
- an overcoat - appropriate overcoats for white tie are Chesterfield or Inverness in black or midnight blue. Inverness is a special overcoat with attached cape, it looks like that:

A correct outerwear is also an opera cloak, the most appropriate in summer, because there is a rule (today commonly forgotten), that some outerwear must be always worn with white tie, in spite of weather. I don't know whether these are still sewn, anyway I couldn't find any photos of cloaks correct for white tie. I can depict it: it's usually black, it has a high collar and it's closed in the front by a chain or frog link. It's generally made of wool, velvet or silk.
- a handkerchief - white, linen.
- a boutonniere - white or red.
- a watch - only appropriate choice is a pocket watch on a watch chain.
- braces - white, silk, button-on.

That's all about tails, my favourite garment. :)

2. Mess jacket:

Mess jacket is actually a relict of formal wear popular in 30's. Today it's only used as a mess dress for soldiers, ship capitains, etc. On the first and second illustrations there are civil versions, on the third there is a military version. A mess jacket went out of fashion because it looked good only on thin men, and also because that garment soon became an uniform for bell hops and jazz musicians. Here I will talk only about a civil version, which is one of the correct alternatives for dinner jacket in tropics and also in summer in North America.
I warn that the most of informations written here is based on quite cheeseparing informations from Wikipedia, moreover some of them come from the page of the military version. However I think that they apply for the civil version, too. ;)

The set of mess jacket contains:

- a mess jacket. It should:
- be made of white or off-white linen or cotton
- be built similiar to a dress tailcoat, but without tails (it should extend a little below the waist)
- have shawl (the first illustration, in the background) or peaked lapels (the first illustration, in foreground, the second illustrations, the third illustration) lined with satin or grosgrain (mainly for peaked lapels)
- be double-breasted (six or four buttons lined with the same kind of silk as on lapels) but never buttoned (as in tails)
- have four buttons on each sleeve (lined with the same kind of silk as on lapels)
- have one welt breast pocket (it isn't neccesary, as in tails).

Golden buttons and link closure (see morning dress) are features seen mainly in military version, but also appropriate for civil version. If the jacket is white, the silk covered buttons can be replaced with mother of pearl ones.

- trousers. They are usually made of the lighter material, they are black or midnight blue and they are always worn with braces.

- a waistcoat or a cummerbund. White pique waistcoat (as for white tie) and cummerbund in black, red or navy blue are correct. There should be one stripe of the same kind of silk as on lapels on side seam on each leg.

- a shirt - see white tie. Version with turndown collar and pleated or plain bosom was also worn, it is however less formal, although the most popular and the only one seen on period illustrations.

- neckwear. It should be a black bow tie made of the same silk as on lapels, usually in "butterfly" or "thistle" shape.

- footwear - see white tie.

- socks - see white tie.

Accesories:

- a cane - optional, as suits one fancy.
- gloves - mess jacket is a garment worn only in summer, so only gloves that can be worn with it are white kid or silk, as for indoors for white tie.
- a hat - the most correct is a straw boater, straw, so warm-weather, like the garment.
- an overcoat - it rather isn't worn for warm-weather dresses. :)
- a handkerchief - in contrast to other formal dresses, a handkerchief can be white linen or coloured, usually silk. Dark colours like maroon or bottle green should be used however.
- a boutonniere - preferable red. If we wear a coloured handkerchief, the best is to ommit a boutonniere, unless it is white.
- a watch - both pocket watch (if the waistcoat is not worn, it should be placed in left trousers pocket, in order to the watch chain stick out a bit, or simply in breast pocket, in this case the best is to insert a T-bar of single-ended watch chain into a buttonhole) and wrist watch (some elegant, preferable as for morning dress) are appropriate.
- braces - any material and colour (preferably the same as for tails), they should be button-on.

Phew, I somehow succeeded. :)

3. Black tie:

I left the worst at the end. :) A black tie, commonly called a tuxedo (USA) or a dinner jacket (UK) is a semi-formal men evening dress. Its rules are strictly determined which in this case doesn't mean that there's not a plenty to choose from - so if I want to this article be complete, I'll have to describe it all. A dinner jacket also appears in warm-weather version, used in tropics and in North America in summer. It differs from a regular tuxedo with two essential pieces, which will be discussed.

A black tie is composed of:

- a dinner jacket. It resulted from the merger of tails and informal, XIX century smoking jackets, made of velvet, worn on house affairs:

A modern dinner jacket should:

- be made of black or midnight blue wool, warm weather-version - from light wool, cotton or linen in off-white (pure white, though frequently used, is incorrect due to its starkness):

A burma-coloured jacket, popular in 30's, can be used as an alternative:

- be single- or double-breasted (the latter option less formal)
- have peaked or shawl lapels faced in satin or grosgrain (more popular to the first shape, and also more formal), warm-weather version - usually shawl lapels, though peaked are also correct, self-faced (i.e. without silk)
- have one button (single-breasted jackets) or four buttons with one or two buttoned (double-breasted version), lined with the same kind of silk as on lapels, in warm-weather version buttons lined with satin if lapels are shawl, grosgrain when they're peaked
- have no vents; minimal side vents are acceptable
- have two besom pockets, without flaps and welt breast pocket.

Among tailors and people familiar to formalwear dinner jacket with one vent, flap pockets and notched lapels is a synonim of a poorly made garment, though such models are quite popular. Prom outfits in USA also enjoy such a reputation, where reign tuxedos in weird colours and atypical accessories, which also characterize "formal" garments from 60's and 70's. If we want our dress to be original, we can wear a velvet black dinner jacket, which refers to Victorian smoking jackets and doesn't lose anything (worn with regular black tie trousers):

- trousers. They should:
- be made of the same material in the same colour as the jacket, warm-weather - black or midnight blue trousers, they can be made of lighter wool than for regular dinner jacket
- have one thin stripe on each leg, made of the same kind of silk as on lapels
- narrow downwards
- be made to be worn with braces
- have two pleats on each leg
- not have cuffs.

- a waistcoat or a cummerbund. Tuxedo waistcoat probably doesn't differ in anything from a full-dress waistcoat. There are some differences, though:
- silver and onyx studs are worn with them
- it should be made of silk (matching lapels) or the same material as jacket
- though black (or, certainly, midnight blue) is traditional, nowadays also dark colours, like maroon, navy or bottle green etc. are correct. Maybe it's a good way of introducing colour to black tie, but for me it's overly colourful. It we decide to do it although, the best is to not use any other coloured accesories (which accesories, I will tell in a moment). And, of course, never a matching bow tie.
If we want to give to a dinner jacket more festive, formal character, or simply if a white tie is preferred to some celebration and we don't own it, then a white pique waistcoat (as for tails) is also correct - a habit of wearing it originated during 30's:

Now about a cummerbund - it comes from India. A habit of wearing it for evening dress was originated by British officers serving in India in 1889. Originally it was a long, silk sash wrapped around the waist four times. Later it gradually disappeared, until 1920, in such shape as it has now:

The cummerbund is silk (matching lapels), usually pleated, it is worn with pleats facing up. It is a memento that once formal trousers didn't have pockets, so gentlemen wearing them stored their tickets and money in their cummerbunds. The oft repeated claim that the pleat direction allows a cummerbund to catch crumbs is as ludicrous as stating that a French cuff's extra fabric is intended for wiping one's mouth (I quote Peter Marshall from Black Tie Guide). :) Like the waistcoat, the cummerbund can also appear in colours other than black. It is also preferred for warm-weather version. Like in the case of the waistcoat, bow ties matching colour of the cummerbund are inappropriate.

Recently a habit of wearing dinner jacket without any waist covering originated, but it isn't traditional, moreover when the jacket is buttoned, a part of white shirt may be seen. It also shows a trousers waist line, which should be covered. It can be ommited however, using special trousers with a silk stripe sewn on:

In spite of all I don't recommend wearing a dinner jacket without neither waistcoat nor cummerbund, because it's simply incorrect for such garment. If Daniel Craig as James Bond did it, it doesn't mean it's appropriate. It is better to epitomize the old, good Sean Connery. :)

There's one more important information - the only case when neither waistcoat nor cummerbund is worn is when the dinner jacket is double-breasted. It is certainly correct.

- a shirt. Here's quite a lot to choose. There are four things that differ black tie shirts - a collar, cuffs, fastening method and bosom. First versatile details for the most types - the only collars appropriate for dinner jacket are wing (considered incorrect in Great Britain, due to visible bow tie band):

and turndown:

Cuffs in most of cases are double.

The bosom is always made of extra layer of material sewn on the shirt. It can however have different finish, depending on formality.

There are two correct methods of fastening a dinner jacket shirt - by studs (preferable silver with onyx, one, two or maximally three, depending on the wearer's height) or with fly front. The cuffs always fastened by cufflinks:

So let's start the enumeration, beggining with the most formal:

1. Detachable wing collar, single cuffs, stiff bosom, fastened by studs - or that as for white tie. Here, as exception, white tie studs, or golden with mother of pearl are preferred.

2. Detachable wing collar, single cuffs, pleated or plain bosom, fastened by studs or with fly front - undoubtely the least common used combination.

3. Attached wing collar, double cuffs, pleated or plain bosom, fastened by studs or with fly front - a usual variant of dinner jacket shirt in USA.

4. Turndown collar, double cuffs, pleated or plain bosom, fastened by studs or with fly front - today standard in Europe, preferred for warm-weather version of dinner jacket.

That's all about shirts - I must admit that there's so much possible combinations, that I recommend the section about shirts on Black Tie Guide (the link at the beggining of the article). Oh, there's one more thing - the shirt should always be white.

- neckwear. It is a bow tie, in one of shapes I've mentioned in white tie. The most important here is the colour; to know which is correct and which not, you have to have a quite large knowledge. I possessed it by reading Black Tie Guide, so I reccomend this site to everyone. So let's start - formal men wear advisers are split into two groups - the first think that the bow tie can be any colour except white (with matching cummerbund obviously ;/). The second are more traditional, and thus closer to the thruth - they state that the only appropriate is a black bow tie. In the meanwhile, there are three colours of bow ties correct for a regular dinner jacket and four appropriate for warm-weather version:

Traditional colours include:

- black:

- midnight blue (the darker hue, the better):

- black with white, subtle pattern:

For warm-weather dinner jackets, besides mentioned above, maroon is also used (frequently with matching cummerbund):

The safest is however to wear simple black bow tie - it is elegant and traditional. A material, which the bow tie is made of, is dependent on the jacket lapels facing. If it's satin, then the bow tie should also be made of satin. If the lapels are lined with grosgrain, the bow tie should be made of textured material, not necessarily grosgrain, eg. faille ot barathea. That's how bow tie textures look alike:

- satin:

- faille:

- barathea:

- footwear - see white tie.

- socks - see white tie.

Accessories:
- a cane - it is considered too affected for black tie. If it however doesn't prevent the wearer, there's rather no problem. :)
- gloves - they should be gray suede or leather. Indoor gloves (as for white tie) are quite obsolete, and worn with dinner jacket they look very theatrical. I however think that they are appropriate for minor events, everything also is dependent on the taste. According to Wikipedia, they shouldn't be made of kid leather, but rather silk.
- a scarf - white silk, with tassels, as for white tie.
- a hat - homburg in black or midnight blue. A straw boater is also appropriate for warm-weather wersion.
- an overcoat - the most correct is a dark Chesterfield, although other long, dark overcoats (these I mentioned in white tie among others) are also appropriate.
- a handkerchief - it should be white linen, though coloured silk are also correct, even preferred for warm-weather version.
- a boutonniere - there are four kinds of flowers commonly considered appropriate - blue cornflower, white gardenia and white or red carnation:

Usually a boutonniere and a handkerchief aren't worn the same time, unless at least one of them is white.
- a watch - a pocket watch is the most formal, wristwatch must be silver, with black band:

- braces - they should be silk, button-on. The traditional colour is black, white, or combination of both. Nonetheless, the colour of braces isn't important, because they are an element of underwear and should never be seen. White is preferred for warm-weather version on black tie, because dark colours could be seen throughout bright, thin material of the jacket.

It seems that that's all. :) I hope that I satisfied your curiosity about elegant dresses for a long time.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

P.S. The photos are mainly from sites Black Tie Guide and the site of tailor shop Knize. The first photo of tails - Brooks Brothers, the photo of a pocket watch with a lid - Gentleman's Emporium.

Train Set Contest

2010-08-02T09:06:00.003+02:00

A next post from Krzysztof, only a bit outdated, but if someone wants to enter this contest, there are 6 days to deadline. :)

An user of KMFL forum - Maks announced a contest in the subject of Trains. Everyone can enter it. Here are contents of the task:

"The task is following: you have to design a set in a climate of Trains. It doesn't have to be a train, or either locomotive, could be a train station, platform, track-road vehicle, level crossing, etc. The playability is more important than the momentum of work or use of complicated techniques, you also can't exceed the maximum number of parts in set, which will be 300. I'll give three weeks for realisation of commission, if someone wants to buy parts, he'll do it. The lack of tracks also shouldn't bother - they can be successfully replaced by flexes or tiles placed on side. The prize will be minifigs of McGonagall and Dumbledore from HP theme. If the winning entry will get high, then the discussion will be started, whether the author should get the special prize. Selecting the winner will look like that:
Poll - 5 points for first place, 4 points for second, 3 points for third and so on till the fifth place and 1 point.
- jury rating (it will be either me alone or I'll ask 1-2 people) ditto - first place 5 points and so on. The totality of points given by jury and get in poll.(...)
The prize:

(...)So jury looks following: I [maks] and Volans (user very familiar with trains). I decided to extend the time, it counts since Wednesday the 7th July till Sunday 8th August. I want to wait till Wednesday, until more people will participate. Works should be published in the appropriate section of forum, and a link to the work in the contest topic. An arithmetic mean will be calculated from points given by jury, eg. I'll give 4 points and Volans will give 2, so 3 points will come out."
People from outside of KMFL forum who are willing to participate in the contest are invited to tell it to Maks by mail: maksymilian.majchrzak@wp.pl.

I write about this contest because it's quite interesting and there is a chance that some elegant work will emerge. ;-)

Best regards, Krzysztof.

The next Exclusive news

2010-08-01T21:41:00.002+02:00

A new post from Krzysztof: (it's a bit outdated; sorry)

Hello to everyone! I haven't written anything since long ago, but due to vacations I'll make up for it.

A few days ago we found out that two, entirely new Exclusive sets - Winter Village Bakery 10216 and 10214 Tower Bridge will be released even in September this year! Unfortunately there aren't any photos yet, but when they will come out, I'll immediately post them on the blog.
Somehow, LEGO recently makes a lot of extraordinary constructions - very well :-).

Winter bakery 10216 will presumably be in style of Winter Toy Shop. The set is to be composed of 687 bricks and 7 minifigures with accesories (not known what).

Tower Bridge is the most famous bascule bridge in London, connecting two riverbanks of Thames. A London taxi, traditional red double-decker bus, truck and bicycle are to be in the set. Dimensions of the bridge are 102 cm by 45 cm by 26 cm. It's composed of even 4287 parts! What a monster, that will be the longest LEGO construction ever. :-)

Further we've got a new set Star Wars Ultimate Collector Series. Why am I writing about it? Because it's very elegant construction from Star Wars. And here it is:

Lambda Class Imperial Shuttle 10212:

Built of 2503 pieces and including 5 minifigs giant model of Lambda Class Imperial Shuttle is a very interesting construction. Lower wings can be folded and the cabin is fully equipped. Dimensions - 71 cm height and 57 cm width! Price - "a mere" 259,99 american dollars.
What is interesting, the shuttle was already built by LUGPol user Dmac. Additionally, His construction was remote controlled - lower wings could be folded. It looks likethat. Comment and say, which version is in your opinion better.

Best regards, Krzysztof.

New Trains sets on ShopAtHome

2010-08-01T12:06:00.003+02:00

Hello!

4 new Trains sets were released on S@H - I knew that such sets came out, but they didn't interest me very much until I saw them on Brickset.

And here they are:

7936 Level Crossing. Nothing special, but road signs are new and the crane looks quite neatly.

7939 Cargo Train. Looks quite nice, and a truck and two cars with the same construction like in 3177, but in different colour scheme were included. I like the transhipment station - it look playably.

7938 Passenger Train, one of my favourites. :) This set has relatively little amount of tracks, but design is nice. Flexible tracks, traffic lights, interesting station and useful minifigs (passengers have got torsos, which were released mainly in big and rare sets).

7937 Train Station. When it comes to design, it's probably the best set I'm talking about today. The set looks impeccably. Only the taxi could be more caddillac-esque, but this one is OK, too. :) The ensemble is in toned colours, and minifigs have got interesting outfits (maybe you can guess that my favourites are gentleman in black waistcoat and stationmaster in navy jacket).

Photos of Grand Emporium will be posted soon, also expect a post from Krzysztof.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

Marvaloso the Magnificient

2010-07-31T10:06:00.002+02:00

Hello! I'm sorry that I'm not posting very frequently but I think I'll produce more posts on vacation and I suppose that Krzysztof will have more time for writing, too. Putting it aside, I bought and recieved 10211 Grand Emporium, so I'll certainly write something about it, like I announced some time ago.

Let's get to the point - DARKspawn, AFOL known mainly due to his Castle MOCs, built MOC "Marvaloso the Magnificent". It shows a scene from magician's show:

I like the use of slopes. A box, where the magician's companion was closed, is also interestingly done. MOC also uses magician, my favourite collectible minifig.

Best regards, Dr Kilroy

New Exclusive set!

2010-07-31T09:32:00.002+02:00

A post from Krzysztof, a bit outdated now, but never mind :) :

Hello to everyone.

A few days ago an information and photos of new set from Exclusive theme - Space Adventure 10213 were revealed.

The set is magnificient, in my opinion. It's composed of 1204 bricks, includes three minifigs - two astronauts and one terrestial service worker. Space shuttle is 44 cenimeters long and 25 centimeters wide. The external tank and auxiliary rockets can be detached. The shuttle has got also opening cabin where the astronauts can be placed and an opening hatchway where is an movable arm with telescope (it's probably Hubble Space Telescope - I think so) and folding landing gear.

Well... This set is a great suprise. There weren't any previews about such an Exclusive set. In my opinion it's magnificient. :-) Minifigs have got beautiful space suits, the space shuttle is well designed and has got a lot of features.

Frankly, rockets and the space shuttle itself remind me these NASA machines: http://www.dbtechno.com/images/NASA_space_shuttle_giveaway.jpg .

I'm happy that LEGO thought about doing such a set because 2010 is a year of withdrawal of all NASA space shuttles.

More informations and photo can be found here: http://shop.lego.com/product/?p=10213&LangId=2057&ShipTo=PL .

Best regards, Krzysztof

Elegance today? - part 1

2010-07-30T10:25:00.008+02:00

Hello!

Today I want to give you information and my thoughts about elegance and elegant garments. In the first part we'll talk rather about the latter. Without useless fuss, let's start:

Suit

Suit - well-known and well loved. Probably everyone has worn it at least one time. Nowadays it's used frequently - for a wedding, work, etc. I think you know how the suit looks alike, and even if not, simply turn on your TV and at the next information service look at some politician or even announcer, but just in case I'll show you a photo of a gentleman in classic suit with almost all possible components:

Let's get to the point: a suit is composed of three pieces: trousers, jacket and waistcoat, the two-piece model lacks the last. All of the components are the same colour, nowadays there are also waistcoats matching the tie, hence they are similiar to a tuxedo. The shirt is usually white, with turndown collar. The suit jacket can be single- or double-breasted. A pocket square is often placed in the breast pocket. In jacket lapel there is a hole called boutonniere or buttonhole - at the special occasions, like wedding, a flower is put there. The neckwear is almost always necktie. However, sometimes a suit with a bowtie can be seen.
Proper shoes for a suit are black or brown shoes (can be patent leather) or only black slippers. Very elegant and relaxed is a white suit with white shoes - it can be an official summer dress. Besides black and white, suits are sewn in all colours.
All suits are appropriate for suit, but fedora and bowler are the most common choices.

Stresemann

Stresemann, also known as stroller (there is some difference, but we'll talk about it later) is undoubtely the least common official garment. It's, one can say, a transitional form of suit (which we were already talking about) and morning dress (which we will be talking about in a moment). Virtually, it's a morning dress with suit jacket.
It's composed of black or gray jacket, bright gray waistcoat and black and gray striped trousers without cuffs. The shirt is white, the collar was originally winged, like in white tie, later it was replaced by turndown, like in suit. A silver tie with an obligatory tie clip (a dark bow tie is also acceptable) and black shoes (not patent leather). It's a daytime dress, so it can be worn not later than 4-6 P.M. Stresemann was introduced by Gustav Stresemann, German chancellor. He pleaded for German politicians' case, who had to change their clothes while moving from office to Reichstag, where morning dress was worn.
Now what differs stresemann and stroller: stroller can have single- or double-breasted jacket, while stresemann must have single-breasted one (one button). So we can conclude that every stresemann is a stroller, but not every stroller is a stresemann. I hope you understand. :)
Homburg or bowler hat is best paired with stresemann.

Hey, a photo:

Morning dress

Morning dress is the most elegant daytime garment.
It's composed of characteristic coat called "cutaway" (a pocket square is placed in the breast pocket), black or gray, gray waistcoat, black and gray striped trousers, white shirt (can be with turndown collar, winged collar or high detachable standing collar) and black shoes (not patent leather). A gray ascot or necktie is worn with it. Morning coat is distinguished by long, diagonal cut away quarters, which reach knees at the back. It's fastened only by one button, which is also its hallmark.
Morning dress is often mistaken with white tie and frock coat.
A proper hat with morning dress is a felt top hat - black or gray. A cane is also an elegant addition. :)

A photo (actually a illustration):

Tuxedo

Tuxedo is an elegant evening dress (so it can be worn after 4 P.M., there are also exceptions), very popular in North America. It's worn there for concerts, weddings, etc. :)
It's composed of single- or double-breasted jacket with silk lapels (nowadays often in shawl shape), trousers with single, black silk stripes along seams, without cuffs, waistcoat or cummerbund (lack when the jacket is double-breasted), white shirt with wing collar (like for white tie) and bow tie matching waistcoat or cummerbund. The single-breasted jacket always have got one button, like morning coat. Black shoes or slippers are worn with tuxedo (can be patent leather). The proper hat is Homburg, straw boater is appropriate in summer.
Tuxedo can be black or midnight blue. On warmer days white or ecru jacket is worn. A particular shirt for tuxedo has got golden buttons with black middle, they can't be regular, white. Cuffs are double (French). Black bow tie and waistcoat/cummerbund are obligation for diplomats, if we aren't them we can wear bow tie and waistcoat/cummerbund in another colour.
Tuxedo was invented by the Prince of Sutherland, who presented it on meeting in Carlton Club in 1889.

I almost forgot, a photo:

Frock coat

Frock coat is an elegant daytime dress. It was popularly worn in England at the turn of the century, nowadays it appears rarely, predominatingly on weddings.
It's composed of black waistcoat, single- or double breasted frock coat, white shirt with detachable standing collar, ascot and striped trousers. Later the standing collar was replaced with winged and ascot was replaced with necktie. There is also a special overcoat for frock coat, which covers its quarters. Shoes like in morning dress. For official occasions a black top hat is worn, for other occasions usual headgear is bowler or Homburg. Like for morning dress, a cane is often carried with frock coat.

White tie

White tie, also called tails, is the most elegant evening dress. It's frequently worn by conductors and monarchs on miscellaneous ceremonies. Sometimes it can be seen as a wedding attire.
It's composed of black, double-breasted tailcoat with long tails at the back, white waistcoat, white bow tie, black trousers with stripes on seams, white shirt with wing collar and black patent leather shoes.
It should be mentioned, that the white tie with black waistcoat is a daytime dress. Coat lapels are faced in satin. Coat should never be fastened!
A black bow tie never should be worn with bow tie - waiters in elegant restaurants do it, so we can be mistaken for them. :) Some musicians wear white cummerbunds instead of waistcoats, like for tuxedo, I think it's rather extravagant.
If we want to "go the whole way" and dress the most elegant as it only can be, add to the white tie black opera hat (collapsible top hat), white gloves, white satin scarf, black silk cloak and a black cane with white ball.

When it comes to accesories:

-watch - if we wear a wristwatch, colour of the band should be suitable for the colour of the suit. More elegant is, however, a pocket watch with golden or silver watch chain. Such a watch is carried in a pocket of waistcoat and the second end of the chain is attached to the button. If we go on some official ceremony and we haven't got a pocket watch, better don't take any watch.

-winter mantle - black, grey or navy overcoat, the most elegant and adequate is Chesterfield. For cold days we may need a deerstalker hat: the one that Sherlock Holmes worn. :)

A few details also should be remembered: the last button of a jacket and waistcoat should be unfastened (except when there's only one button of course :) ), trousers should always be worn with suspenders, at least 1,5 centimeters of shirt cuff should be seen, etc. :) If you have got any questions, ask me or search on Internet. :P

Best regards, Dr

P.S. On statistics I've seen a lot of people read this article - so welcome to its improved, supplemented and revised version here.

Colours palette

2010-07-30T09:55:00.002+02:00

Hello!

Eurobricks user superkalle came up with an ingenious idea and realized it in bricks:

This MOC suprised me with its simplicity in execution and a great idea at the same time. The builder boasted his ownership of 2x2 tiles in uncommon colours (perhaps that was the main motivation for creating this minimalist work): MaerskBlue, BrightLightBlue, SandRed, LightViolet, LightFlesh, Flesh and a few more. Tiles in pearl colours look strange, however. What do you think about it?

Best regards, Dr

USS Constellation 10021

2010-07-29T18:10:00.002+02:00

A post from Krzysztof:

Hello to everyone.

Recently I succeeded to purchase extraordinary Lego set - USS Constellation 10021. It comes from Legends theme and was released in 2002. It interested me since the first time I saw it's photo. That's why I decided to write a review on KMFL forum.

Here it is:

The model consists of 973 parts, it's a rerelease of 398 set from 1978. The set is packed into a solid, neat box.

The construction progresses smoothly, isn't boring and gives a lot of satisfaction.
That's how the finished ship looks alike:

The whole, a lot longer review with more photos and more detailed description can be found here (in Polish). I hope that you'll like my review and I'll encourage you to get interested with this nonpareil. ;-)

Best regards!

White ravens, part 2 - Minifig food

2010-07-22T14:53:00.011+02:00

Welcome! I'm sorry for being late in work, but I not always can spend so much time for writing as I should. I'll try to fill the arrears this week, but I'm pretty sure I'll fail to. :) Today we will talk about minifigs' food. This subject is quite big, so I won't focus on data or prices, but on my opinion about this or that part (I will write about prices or information when it will be necessary). So let's start:

food for minifigs can be considered as everything which is in "Food" category on Bricklink, or:

apple - appears in following colours: BrightGreen, Green and Red. Not so rare, usually costs less than one dollar.

...Which doesn't mean it can't be used well. What do you associate with apples? Athos associated it with the legend about William Tell, because he builded this scene:

Simple builded, but still looks great. I don't get the use of placing this forestman's hat on the stake, perhaps someone will illuminate me?

banana - oficially it appears in tan and yellow, but only the latter part can be considered as food, because the tan one was used in Harry Potter set 4767 as a dragon's claw. Hence it, the common yellow part is cheap, and rarer more expensive - costs somewhere around one dollar.

Unfortunately I haven't find any interesting work with a use of banana. The next food:

bread (IMO more similiar to baguette) - undoubtely rarer than apples or bananas - appears in 13 sets, in addition only in Fabuland and Belville themes. Appears in three colours: Earth Orange, Light Yellow and Tan. Costs average about 2 dollars. This part is very useful especially in building bakeries, like this, by Hippotam:

Ingenious use of the body of ship, which I will talk about another time.

Belville cakes - rare, perhaps because they appear only in Belville sets. The price of this one in the middle is 7 dollars! When summarize, they appear in 11 sets. Parts useful for all kinds of parties, banquets etc.

Finally I found the work about Alice in Wonderland. :) Here it is:

The next step:

carrot - nothing special, except it's composed of two parts. The price rather doesn't exceed one dollar. This part, like the most of food parts, has its roots in Belville theme, and then it was moved to minifig themes. This explains the carrot's monstrous size, that in terms of our sizes measures about 1,5 meters long. Polish master of vignette, Crises, has built this small work, showing dwarves guarding carrots, which are pulling by a rabbit:

I like the effect of chiaroscuro used in the tree. The next:

cherries - probably the most common Lego food, they usually appear in sets in amount of few pieces. Expect DarkPink and red, they also appear in Lime, which isn't suitable for cherries. I think they are chestnuts. :) They cost less than 15 cents. A builder which hides under a strange nick borda has built nice vignette showing a cherry-tree:

I recommend to see his gallery, I love his Castle works. The next:

croissant. Well, real croissants are made out of French pastry, without filling, eaten by Frenchmen for breakfast, but it's not a culinary blog, so let's call it a croissant. Very interesting and useful part, it is useful not only for bakeries, but also for elegant restaurants and some romantic French pubs (the best in CCC tenements). I saw it once used as a stomach, but never mind. They were released in two types - more and less baked, or Dark Orange and Earth Orange. On the vignette showed below we can see a Frenchmen eating his breakfast. Maybe he isn't very similiar to a Frenchmen, but let it be:

By Johŋ. Maybe I will write a post about Frenchmen sometime, this is rather elegant nation, after all. :)

The next food:

on Bricklink it appears as Hot Dog, but I'll call it a sausage. Well, sausage - rather useful part as the Lego meat arsenal isn't very substantial. Summarizing, there's nothing more that can be said about it. It appears in red and Flesh, or this like flesh of Arabs from Indiana Jones. I haven't find any interesting work with sausages, if someone of you have seen it, give me the link please. ;)

The next:

ice cream - well, one of the rarest parts in this category. This part hardly appears in any MOCs, I haven't seen any, at least. If someone has seen it, give me the link, please. :) A brick appears in three colours - yellow, white and Medium Orange, this last appears only in one set, Belville in addition.

The next part:

the next ice cream, but now it's a lot more common part, appears in MOCs frequently, and what's the most important, it can be seen in sets, which aren't Belville. :) They were produced in six, not frequently seen colours, the rarest are Salmon and Light Green (5$). White cost only about 40 cents, however. One MOC with this kind of ice cream has fallen into my eye - a weird vehicle builded by certain døver, which I have probably already seen somewhere:

But with ice cream use aside, this part can be used as, say, steam:

This is one of my favourite vignettes by 2 Much Caffeine.

Next:

muffin. Well, it isn't very interesting or rare part. Altough it costs one and a half dollars, which gives it a place higher than eg. an apple or a cherry, but it isn't any white raven. It rarely appears in MOCs, like the most of Belville parts. However it's interesting that it's simply a cook's hat with a print.

The next brick is:

next ice cream. Now they are ice jolly, however. They appear in six colours, but only brown and red are rare (more than one dollar). I can't tell nothing more about it. I like PipCasbar's work, showing R2-D2 selling ice cream:

A clever execution.

Finally the last point:

turkey. An obligatory part of all kinds of banquets and feasts. It appears in two colours: Dark Orange (which costs about 3,30 dollars) and Earth Orange, which costs even 16 dollars! This is a real white raven! :) It's such a legendary part, so it appears in lots of MOCs, but I'll show only one, which I liked the most, by marakoeschtra:

Great, original idea, great, original execution, what more can I say? :)

That's all.

Best regards, Dr

Aquazone Monorail

2010-03-20T11:57:00.002+01:00

Welcome!

Not so far ago I browsed Eurobricks and in topic named "Best Monorail" I found a photo of Monorail train from Aquazone theme, which was never released. From this what was written there, it was called "Sea-Tron Monorail" and was designed sometime around 1990. The photo is from Brickjournal magazine from summer 2009, from Mark Strafford's article "The Truth About SPACE!".

Firstly: a choise of minifigs is weird; in the lower right corner we can see proper (at least in my opinion) diver in yellow outfit, and at the station there are two red Futuron astronauts, who fit here middling. Everything else isn't bad - design characteristic for the second half of eighties, but there are some new elements: station supports, red quarter domes, yellow rings on the train, yellow Monorail motor and blue tracks supports.
We can't see here the whole set, so we can't define, does it have got long or short track, but it can be estimated, there is a bit of that. A part of tracks in the background is blue - it suggests, that the train runs on time above the water, and one time under water. It's the most similar to the first and classic Monorail set - 6990 Monorail Transport System, perhaps because they were designed thereabout the same time.

In my opinion TLG should release this set, AFOLs and younger consuments would certainly like it.

Regards, Dr

Austerlitz Palace

2010-02-23T18:41:00.003+01:00

A post from our co-blogger, Krzysztof:

Welcome everyone.

Not so far ago, LUGPol - Kris Kelvin, made a monumental MOC. It's made of 4792 bricks and looks like an Exclusive set.

And, behold, this is it:

What can I say... It's simply great. ;-) Like CCC tenements, this construction also consists of three segments. I like flowers in national France colours, the building's elevation and the gate with the arch. The fence is also beautiful.

More photos in Kris Kelvin's gallery are here.

Lego Castle 2010 - Kingdoms!

2010-02-23T18:31:00.002+01:00

Kris Abel's blog gave us good quality photos of new Castle subtheme for year 2010 - it has to be called Kingdoms. There aren't many new parts (from what I see), but minifigs enchanted me. Well, why I'm telling you this, take a look at photos:

I like the castle, this wooden tower and impulses. What do you like the most?

Regards, Dr

Rolls-Royce Phantom II

2010-02-21T21:57:00.004+01:00

Welcome!

Brickshelf user, carl, builded a model of Rolls-Royce Phantom II in minifig scale:

MOC has got a chassis builded with SNOT:

More photos in the gallery.

Please compare it with a real car:

When it comes to similarity to original, I can't stick to anything. When it comes to accomplishment, I don't like mirrors, which are painted with some kind of silver marker. :/ Although other chrome elements (mainly from ChromeBricks) are used good, like wheels and mask elements.

This vehicle is surely would be a good addiction to some elegant town. I also recommend other carl's MOCs, (mainly virtual, but although they look good).

Regards, Dr

Finally we have photos of 10211 Grand Emporium!

2010-02-21T21:30:00.004+01:00

Late, but never mind. :P

I'm sorry I post so rarely, but winter is a period of intensive work. :) I promise I'll post more often next days (at least one post a week).

Anyway I present you a set 10211 Grand Emporium (photos from The Brothers Brick):

There are few new parts and few parts not seen in sets for a while. Tiles 1x3, DarkGreen windows, awnings above the display windows, bowls next to the entrance, DarkBlue, short minifig legs, saleswoman's torso, parts of cornice at the roof and probably some more belong to that first group. A ribbon at the present, curved railings, old flower (this grey ornament at the second floor), regular letter (not this like in Green Grocer), "rounded" glasses, which have appeared only in Belville so far (they can be seen in a window at first floor) and a tan baseplate. I also probably missed a few. :)

I will write a part of the description soon, when there will be more photos. :)

Regards, Dr

Eis Pirat!

2009-12-30T11:27:00.003+01:00

A tenement builded by Erdbeereis, the Eurobricks user:

Look at the... well, actually at everything: ingenious roof built with clips, flexes and tiles, whip ornaments (BTW they are similiar to those arnaments in Fire Brigade, on ground floor), interesting barriers between the pavement and tables, chairs, a counter with ice cream and nice umbrellas. A use of train glasses with white frame add some modernity to this building. I was going to add some criticism, but unfortunately I can't, maybe the next time. ;)

More photos:

Regards, Dr Kilroy

Merry Christmas!

2009-12-25T11:29:00.006+01:00

Merry Christmas and a happy New Year!

Best wishes from entire team of Bricks in Suit.
__________

Christmas card by Athos.

New sets coming out in 2010

2009-12-12T12:04:00.002+01:00

Welcome!

Eurobricks user, Whung, found few photos of boxes of new sets coming out in 2010. I found among them one quite elegant set and one, which can be regarded as such. The first is 3222:

We can't see very much on this photo, but limo is beautiful, and minifigs (especially the companion of this VIP :) ) look interesting. We don't know the prices yet.

The second is an impulse 7567:

Excellent selection of parts; a computer, a camera, a shoulder bag, ginger hair (those "modern"), my favourite minifig face, two suitcases, cheese slope 2x1 and two clear panels 1x2. We don't know the price of this set, too (probably about 4$).

More photos on Eurobricks and in Whung's gallery (after publication).

Regards, Dr Kilroy

New collectible minifigs coming out in 2010!

2009-11-29T22:28:00.002+01:00

Welcome!

Eurobricks user, Sir Dano, found a photo of the collectible minifigs, which probably will be released in 2010:

If it's true, we will get a bunch of new parts and also some reactivated old ones. If someone doesn't know, I'll say who is who:

1. Cavemen,
2. Cheerleader,
3. Clown,
4. Adventurer,
5. Dummy,
6. Diver,
7. Indian,
8. Magician (ellegant!),
9. Ninja,
10. Nurse,
11. Forestman (!!!),
12. Robot,
13. Some rock musician, or something like that :) ,
14. Astronaut,
15. Wrestler,
16. Zombie.

My favourites are Forestmen, nurse and magician. If they really will be released, we will have a minifig revolution! What do you think?

Regards, Dr Kilroy

Department Store Black &White

2009-11-29T19:39:00.004+01:00

Welcome!

Black & White is probably a colour of this building, but I prefer it as name. Well, I browsed Eurobricks and I noticed a quite nice tenement builded by Jameson42:

I like here those large, glass, modern windows, colours, plants and a roof builded out of large tiles 8x16 (I like these bricks very much :D ). All details are nice and well chosen. The builder used there a technique, which uses modified plates 1x2 and 1x8 with door panes and large glasses 1x4x6 to make big exhibition glasses without frames. I like this technique very much. :) There is also a light grey pavement instead of dark grey, but I don't commend this, because I'm a conservative in this question. :)

Regards, Dr Kilroy

Creations for Charity

2009-11-15T11:28:00.004+01:00

Welcome!

The picture is the link. Nannan Zhang founded a store on the Bricklink, in which he sells famous builders' MOCs. All funds will go towards buying Lego sets for unprivileged children. Foundation Toys for Tots participes in this action.

Few intresting (and most elegant) works:

Surreakistic Nannan Zhang's vignette "Great Anachronism" (50 USD):

Beach booth (vignette size) by Michael Jasper (12,50 USD):

Holiday figures - nutcracker (not working :D ) and soldier by Don Wilson (10 USD):

Surrealistic work (diorama) by Nannan Zhang "Atavism" (50 USD):

"Charity Hour on Highway 44), mech - Brian Kscenovitz, the rest of the diorama - Keith Goldman (170 USD):

Yuck, mechs. However I quite like this work. :)

The best at the end - Dave Kaleta's tie (34 USD):

I could buy it, but I regret my money because I don't often wear ties. :D

If you want to participate in action and give your MOCs for auction, you only need to be more than 13 years old, send an e-mail to Nannan Zhang (mr.bley@gmail.com), in which are included a good photo of the work, link to gallery, minimal price of the MOC, it's name, short description and builder's full name. You can find more informations here.

I encourage you to auction.

Regards, Dr Kilroy

EDIT: The first wave sold for 1008,99 USD!

MOC - The Settlers

2009-11-10T19:14:00.003+01:00

A post from Krzysztof:

Welcome after the fairly long break. Recently interested me the Lugpol user - Qworg's construction. It's a building from the popular game - The Settlers. Personally I like the most colours of the MOC, and also varied ground. Look at the interesting looking, curved planks.

Here are some photos:

Side view:

Front:

More photos in gallery here: LINK

P.S. Sorry, that I didn't posted for a long time, but somehow I didn't have time.

10211 Grand Emporium!!!

2009-11-02T22:27:00.005+01:00

Well, that's like Svelte imagine it: :)

The photo is the link to the gallery, when it will be public.

A building has got also a furnished roof and ground floor!

There is also a playable function - removing lay-figure's "background":

Regards, Dr Kilroy

CCC VII!

2009-11-02T21:54:00.004+01:00

The photo is the link. It started! Like always contest lasts 2 months - from 1 November to 31 December. I tell you, the prizes are attractive and categories are original and interesting this year.

Technological Advance

Create a scene with a device that changed medieval warfare, commerce, construction, manufacturing, or exploration.

Prize: used 6030 Catapult:

Alternate Universe

Build your own castle moc using pieces only from one official LEGO Castle theme set. Ideas include carts, inns, shops, stables, and towers. There is not a maximum baseplate size limit in this category.

Prize: used 6041 Armor Shop:

Medieval Mariner

Build a scene featuring life with the sea. Ideas include ships, seaports, lighthouses, etc.

Prize: used 6057 Sea Serpent:

Outlaw Escape

Build a scene showing your outlaws evading capture or breaking out of imprisonment. Ideas include a jailbreak, secret hiding places, or traveling in clever disguises.

Prize: used 6042 Dungeon Hunters:

Eastern Medieval Life

Create a medieval building that is not located in Western Europe.

Prize: new 1269 White Ninja and 3051 Blaze Attack:

Religious Life

Show how an event at or near a religious building influenced daily life in medieval times. Ideas include a wedding, feast day, pilgrimage, funeral, or coronation at a church, cathedral, mosque, temple, or monastery.

Prize: new (!) 6102 Castle Mini-Figures:

Training a Knight

Build three scenes depicting the training of a page and/or squire in order to become a knight.

Prize: 6067 Guarded Inn (!) & BrickArms Custom Practice Swords:

(I can't find swords photos :P )

Custom Castle Figure

Create a realistic or fantasy customized castle figure. You may use modified bricks, custom accessories, and/or stickers. Ideas include knights, monks, peasants, wizards, elves, and fairies.

Prize: new BrickArms Custom Prototypes

Miscellaneous

Does your castle creation not fit in one of our categories? Then enter it here! This category does not have a baseplate size limitation. Remember that you are still limited to three photographs, even for large creations.

Prize: used 12x4801 Defence Archer (!):

Brick Castle

Build a Castle that uses clay fired bricks as a major part of its architecture. Examples include the Castles at Gediminas, Malbork, Lida, and Mir. The minimum size of a castle should be 32x32 studs. There is not a maximum size limit in this category but keep in mind that you can only enter 3 photographs of your castle.

Prize: used 6073 Knight's Castle:

Fantasy Castle

Build a castle inspired by your favorite fantasy castle stories or factions. Include architectural features not often found in real castles. Possible ideas include cantilevered towers, tower bridges, and floating rocks. The minimum size of a castle should be 32x32 studs. There is not a maximum size limit in this category but keep in mind that you can only enter 3 photographs of your castle.

Prize: new 7097 Trolls' Mountain Fortess:

Master Builder

This prize will be awarded to the builder who enters 6 or more categories and has the highest score when their top six creation scores are averaged.

Prize: MISB 3739 Blacksmith Shop (!!!):

Are you going to enter? What do you think about prizes and categories?

Regards, Dr Kilroy

New Modular House?

2009-11-02T21:41:00.002+01:00

Eurobricks user - legomilk - reported us, that in the March 2010 will be realeased a new Exclusive set - 10211 Grand Emporium. It will be a corner tenement, a big store. It will contain 2182 parts and on S@H will cost 149,99$. Other informations: it will be grey-black-yellow with large amount of windows. There aren't any photos. :( However I know, it will be similiar to buildings from those photos:

What do you think?

Regards, Dr Kilroy

Sweet dreams

2009-11-02T21:18:00.002+01:00

A new post from Legofan:

Welcome!

Crises, Lugpol user suprised me recently with a best vignette I ever seen. Look at the beautiful curtains - this is my favourite part of vignette, I never have thought they can be done from brick modified 1x2x1 1/3 with curved top. Crises finely showed minifigure's fear by a head and pose. The next excellent details are the quilt and monster's tentacles.

So I wish you pleasant dreams! Good night!

Lego Forestmen

2009-10-20T22:18:00.009+02:00

Hello! I'm sorry you waited so long for a new post, but I didn't have vein. :) Today we will talk about Forestmen.

Do you remember those green guys with traditional smiled faces, bows and characteristic hats with plumes? Yeah, they are Forestmen.

Sets from this sub-theme were produced in 80-s - Lego Golden Age. Characteristic features of this Castle branch are, excluding minifigs, green baseplates, green parts used to build trees and outlook of buildings, imitating trees with black (why?) trunks with gray accents.

Now I'll show you sets from this subtheme. Sadly, only 7 (or rather 6) were released.

First is 1680 Crusader's Cart (similiar to 1877, but comes with 3 minifigs):

And this 1877 (released only in USA):

1680 includes 67 parts, 1877 60 parts.

But if I would enrich a few minifigs I wouldn't buy this set. Why? One costs about 30$. ;)

Despite the price set isn't bad, but Forestmen have got more popular, red plumes (which also are rare for me :D ). We've got also old, round shield, pitchfork, ABS sword (acrylo-nitrylo-butadienostyrene, those new, pearl swords can be bented on, which is due to the lack of this material, which is a a principal component of the bricks) and red saddle (with a part of the horse xP).

Main model is also good.

My rating: 6/10.

Now 1974, Smuggler's Hayride (released only in USA):

Contains 47 parts.

This set is slightly less interesting than listed above, contains only two minifigs - one peasant (with pitchfork :) ) and one Forestmen (with black plume :D ).

IMO the railings and color of whip don't fit properly, but everything except those is OK. :)

Trivia: under the number 1974 were realeased three sets. Really 1974 is a number of bigger set, which contains some smaller (S@H name: Product Collections).

My rating: 5/10.

There are the photos of other smaller sets in 1974:

Star Quest (31 parts):

I Flyercracker USA (69 parts):

Next set is 6054 - Forestmen's Hideout, one of the bigger sets:

Contains 191 bricks.

That's one of the bigger set from Forestmen subtheme. Unfortunately, we can find there only 2 minifigs - with red and yellow plumes. The set is perfect - in terms of parts (2 Forestmen shields, a bow, ABS sword, 3 small plant parts, 7 bigger plant parts, two pine trees [small and large] and an archery target) and in terms of playability (the building can be opened, this feature is characteristical for sets from those days). Only disadvantages are the lack of the interior and yellow round plates 1x1 instead of gold coins, but then this mould wasn't invented.

But when this is a hideout, why on the top flutters a red flag? :)

My rating: 7/10.

Now the legendary 6066 Camouflaged Outpost, first set from this subtheme:

Contains 189 bricks.

This is my favourite Forestmen set. Contains 6 minifigures - with blue, red, yellow and black (!) plumes. We can find there also a brown horse with red saddle, 2 goblets, 5 bows, a smaller kind of halberd, ABS sword, 2 small pine trees, 3 small plant parts and 8 bigger plant parts.

The outpost is builded on 2 baseplates - 8x16 and 16x16, so it can be opened.

We can enter the building through two entrances - the first can be opened by raising the black rock, second by raising the "driveway". :D

And like in 6054 - on the top there is a red flag. :)

My rating: 10/10. Yeah!

The next set in 6071 Forestmen's Crossing (only avaible in USA):

Contains 207 parts.

One of the rarest Forestmen sets. We can find there 5 minifigs - 2 with yellow and 2 with red plumes, and one, very rare, unique Forestwoman! :D Well, and one white horse with traditional Forestmen red saddle. Accesories: green whip - creeper, brown spear, 3 bows with 3 quivers, Forestmen shield, ABS sword and a chest with treasure (yellow round plates 1x1 xP ). There are also 14 parts - leaves, only large. Rare parts from this set are brown ladder, brown rope bridge and Forestwoman's headgear (green Pirate rag wrap).

Model is very playable, like all Forestmen buildings. I love all hideouts etc. :) It's a pity there aren't any hideouts in a tree, if it would appear, my rating of this set could increase a bit.

Well, and a red flag on the top - but now there's nowhere written it's hidden. ;)

My rating: 8/10.

At the end 6077 Forestmen River Fortress:

Contains 357 parts.

This is a biggest Forestmen set ever released. We can find there 2 Forestmen with red plumes, 2 Forestmen with yellow plumes, 1 Forestmen with blue plume and 1 Crusaders knight. Weapons and accesories are 2 bows, 2 quivers, 3 ABS swords, 2 spears, a lance, 2 Forestmen shields, a whip - creeper and a chest with... er... treasure. ;)

Except the main building we get from this set also a raft built from barrels and a plate.

Model is playable, gate can be opened and closed using a string, a back can be opened and in the building there is a prison, which is in the water. :)

This time on the top flutters a Monaco flag (fits better than Indonesia flag :) ).

My rating: 8/10.

My rating for whole theme: 9/10.

Regards, Dr Kilroy

MdBlue building

2009-10-19T16:14:00.002+02:00

Hello! I was browsing Brickshelf and I founded a beautiful buliding by Hana129. Enjoy!

The photo is the link to the gallery. But you can go there later, I've got a suprise for you...

You think it's all? No. This building has also got a full equiped furniture!

That's a restaurant. :)

Sorry for lack of posts, but I didn't have enough time to write. Until now I'll try to do it more frequently. ;)

Regards, Dr Kilroy

What will we get, when we mix up 10199 with 10193?

2009-10-10T09:12:00.005+02:00

New Svelte's MOC of course!

More photos:

Regards, Dr Kilroy

New exclusive set - Imperial Flagship!

2009-10-03T21:35:00.005+02:00

A new post from Krzysztof, Exclusives expert:

Welcome, on 1 January 2010 a new Exclusive set - Imperial Flagship (10210) will be released.

The ship consists of 1664 parts, includes 9 minifigs: capitain, his daughter, pirate capitains with handcuffs, cooker, lieutenant and 4 soldiers. Underboard (I'm not sure about translation) includes 4 cannons, boxes with ammunition, cannon balls, muskets etc. and 3 lanterns, bottles, treasure chests, a prison with a rat, a kitchen with food and other details.

The ship can be divided into 3 parts. On the sailboard we can find 6 windows, a raised and lowered anchor and steering wheel. Dimensions of the historic ship are: 75 cm long and 60 cm tall. Ages: 14+.

Prices: US $179.99, CA $229.99, UK £ 139.99, DE € 149.99.

It's worth to wait for those constructions. IMO it's the best Lego ship ever produced. An amount of details, great colors, realistic look, large dimensions, large amount of bricks and number of minifigs are the greatest advantages of this set. I'll certainly buy it. ;-)

More photos here:http://www.flickr.com/photos/dunechaser/sets/72157622380736163/
And here: http://www.brickshelf.com/cgi-bin/gallery.cgi?f=404065

Winter Toy Shop already on sale!

2009-10-02T14:58:00.004+02:00

Message from Legofan:

Welcome!

Winter Toy Shop (10199) is already on sale on SaH: LINK
It's on the first place on my shopping list.

For 60$ we get 7 minifigs and 815 parts. IMO this is the best Lego Christmas set ever released.
In this set we can also get some rare and new parts: star on the largest Christmas tree, DkTan tiles, two carol singers' heads and black 1x2x3 windows.

You can find more photos in first link.

P.S. I'm a new co-blogger on Bricks in suit. :-)

Welcome!

2009-09-30T19:49:00.005+02:00

Here is a translated message from Krzysztof (Sprinter), who's a new co-blogger on Polish version of blog:

I cheerfully welcome you all, who are reading our blog. I have a pleasure to tell you I'm a new co-blogger. User of KMFL, Legofan join us, too.

I hope you'll like our posts and informations posted here.

End of Krzysztof's message. Of course I will translate and post here all messages written by our new co-bloggers.

Warehouse

2009-09-28T22:33:00.004+02:00

Our (propably) future co-blogger, Legofan, builded a Pirate-themed warehouse:

A photo is a link to the gallery. Look at the roof!

Metroliner monorail, small article about monorail and announcement

2009-09-27T10:44:00.010+02:00

BBroich transformed a famous set - 4558 Metroliner to a monorail train:

A photo is a link to gallery, you can find there few nice monorail trains.

Now when we start talking about monorail, I'll tell you a few words about it. This system was used first time in 1987 in Space set - 6990 Monorail Transport System:

System is based on track with one rail in the middle of it. It's underpined by brackets. It needs a special motor. Now these parts are very rare and expensive. IMHO the best monorail set is 6399 Airport Shuttle:

And announcement: I'll propably employ two co-bloggers - Legofan and Sprinter94 (Krzysztof) from KMFL (Polish Young Lego Fans Club).

Chaise

2009-09-27T10:37:00.004+02:00

Teclis17 builded a chaise:

This photo isn't the link to gallery, there weren't any better photos. This work have a lot of details, but my favourite are horseshoes. :)

Antnette

2009-09-27T10:20:00.004+02:00

Maybe it isn't elegant, but it isn't building. :) It's a vignette builded by Candaclark. It shows people eating turkey, and ants disturbing them:

The image is the link. I like the tunnels and a 'cave' with food in it.

Justice Palace

2009-09-27T10:10:00.005+02:00

Darthtuner builded a tenement, or Justice Palace:

There is also a second version:

The first photo is a link. It may seem strange, but I never thought the bricks pattern on corners can be builded out from bricks, not from tiles. Lanterns, ornaments above windows and arch above the entrance are very nice. In first version there are also benches, but there are a bit too wide for me.

The next time I will show you something which isn't a building. ;)

Flower shop

2009-09-27T10:04:00.005+02:00

TijgerSan builded pretty florist:

The image is the link. I like Exo-Force hair used as small tree. The indoor is also nice. Take a look on TijgerSan's gallery, you can find there few nice modular houses.

Two nice MOCs

2009-09-27T09:29:00.007+02:00

Today I want to present you 2 nice works:
__________
First was built by Ley Ward (whateverly) and it looks like paper sheet and pencil:

Curve of upper left corner is a nice accent.
__________
The second work is a Victorian tenement by L. G. Orlando:

I like windows, details and minifigs, but I don't know why lantern is on the back, it should be rather in front. A sidewalk also could be more elaborated.
__________
All MOCs were found on The Brothers Brick.

White ravens, part 1 - Bikes

2009-09-26T23:09:00.011+02:00

Bikes

Bikes were rare until 2009, now they are more common. They were released in 35 sets in 5 colours (first time in 1985):
- Black (released in 8 sets - BL - used 1,80$ - 6,20$, new 2,50$ - 5,00$),
- Dark Pink (released in 4 sets - BL - used 2,00$ - 7,9825$, new 3,40$ - 7,50$),
- Red (commonest, released in 26 sets - BL - used 1,00$ - 3,50$, new 1,125$ - 4,79$),
- White (released in 1 set - BL - used 5,95$ - 31,3875$, new 30$),
- Yellow (released in 1 set - BL - used 4,99$ - 20,925$, new 13,30$ - 16,00$).
__________
Bikes are used mostly in Town and Trains themes. They are made out from 5 parts - frame, 2 wheels and 2 rubber tires.

Now it's time for MOCs with bikes - that's not a common white raven, so there are lots of works with them. I chose only few of them:

Nexus7 builded beautiful diorama "Kalgoro" (4 bikes, only in red):

The photo is the link to gallery.
__________
Nias improved a bike to obtain a 'Christmas atmosphere':

Some people don't need regular bikes to make cycling vignettes. For example Mijasper builded this vignette:

Take a look on lantern!
__________
Not yet crushed bike looks like that:

Can someone tell me which part is used as saddle?
__________
There is also a version for younger cyclists:

I have got 3 bicycles (2 red and 1 black) and it's not excluded I won't buy more. Bike is a elegant means of transport for elegant towns and cities.

I'm happy you are reading this post!

2009-09-26T22:48:00.000+02:00

I cheerfully welcome you on this blog about Lego bricks. But wait - why I'm making a next Lego blog, though there are lots of them? Well, my blog is unique - it presents only elegant works and it's subjective (like the other Lego blog - Simon and the Bricks). I'd lie if I couldn't say I wasn't inspired by Simon and the Bricks. It's one of my favourite blogs, but it's only in Polish, so it isn't understandable for some readers.

Greetings, Dr Kilroy

P.S. I'm not a native English speaker, so if I'll make a language mistake, tell me it in comment, please.