Couture Conundrum » Blog Archive » Blogger Challenge: How Low Can You Go?

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April 11th, 2009 by Gabby Panacek

Isle Lunesea posted on her blog about how we can all do our part to reduce lag at crowded events, hunts and expos by choosing wearables that contribute to a low ARC or Avatar Rendering Cost. So she challenged bloggers to come up with attractive, low-ARC outfits…under 100 ARC to be exact. I really pushed the limit…and, okay, I might have dipped my toe over the line a little bit…but I came up with two looks that I think fit the spirit of the challenge.

There are those who will argue that ARC is a myth. Personally, I will admit to being completely non-techy, so I don’t even pretend to understand all of the arguments for or against the legitimacy of ARC and its effect on sim lag. In fact, just this week I discussed this with Codie and she tells me that, other than the sim build itself, skin is actually the largest contributor to lag at crowded events. She made sense, but skin only has an ARC value of one. So, how does that compute in the swirl of rationales debated by those for and against ARC as a lag measure? But I digress. This post is about the spirit of the challenge so lets get to the pictures, shall we?

I made use of some super low prim hair, clothing layer jewelry and simple flats to keep this look easy, classic and suitable for shoppng, dancing, or socializing with friends. Just as I was looking for that one last accessory, Jori sent me the adorable Meow Clutch and, wonder of wonders, adding that one piece not only rounded out the look, it also set my ARC value at exactly 100!

The second look is more casual. Again, I made use of the simple flats from Lassitude and Ennui (shoes are an ARC killer), clothing layer jewelry and a tintable halter from Dice Beattie that I tinted to a deep red. I’m thinking this would work for a summer stroll, lunching with the girls or a bonfire at the beach. The hair is ETD and besides the style in the first picture, the lowest ARC wig in my inventory. I crossed the line, but only by a smidge, topping out at 103.

Want to get in on the challenge? Check out Isle’s blog, put together your favorite outfit and link back. She’ll do a composite at the end of the challenge so we can see what everyone has come up with. Have Fun!

Style Sheet:
Outfit 1 – ARC Value: 100
Hair: Brooke by Aden in blonde (tinted)
Skirt: Modd.G Angela Dress (part of outfit)
Bustier with Belt: Paper Couture Italian Black (part of outfit)
Necklace: Paper Couture Black Orchid (part of outfit)
Shoes: Lassitude & Ennui Chloe Sculpted Flats in Black
Clutch: Pretties by Jori Meow Clutch
Skin: Genesis Eden Nutmeg in Chocolate Orange
Manicure: Nevermore Studios Super Nova
Eyes: Glanz Eyes Mid FreshBlue

Outfit 2 – ARC Value: 103 (oops!)
Shirt: [RD] Tintable Halter Top by Dice Beattie
Shorts: The Closet Balloon Short Pants in Black
Necklace: Paper Couture Layered Crows Necklace (part of outfit)
Shoes: Lassitude & Ennui Chloe Sculpted Flats in Vamp
Hair: ETD Anne in Black
Skin: Fleur Allure Caramel Lounge 3
Manicure: Nyterave Dark Sangria
Eyes: Glanz Eyes Mid FreshBlue

Poses: Long Awkward Pose

5 Responses

Jori Watler writes:
April 11th, 2009 at 9:25 pm

Love it.. what a cowinkydink that clutch matches!!! You look sophisticated and classy – ARC or no ARC.. and you can keep your toes!
Isle Lunasea writes:
April 11th, 2009 at 9:26 pm

Oh Awesome!! Ty Gabby, I am so flattered

I was doing more reading up on ARC and how it has evolved, and from what I gathered, yes, Codie hit it. The newer skins have so much detail in shading, reflected light etc that they cause more CPU and graphic load than pretty much everything else. I used to think ARC meant prims, but it is (supposed to be) a refelection of the amount of CPU/processing effort required to render it, such as a heat btu or a calorie burnt off. ARC is a good theory, but it is so subjective a thing to measure, there are many camps on it.

You did great, creating 2 outfits at 100 (ish heh) ARC that would pass without anyone even blinking. WTG.

Thanks again for honoring my challenge with your effort, made my night! <3 Isle
I think this is going to be fun, even just in the spirit of trying to dress well with predetermined constraints
Raven Haalan writes:
April 12th, 2009 at 7:32 am

Those are just outstanding looks, at any ARC. The color schemes and the two different looks (biz and casual) really took the challenge on squarely.

… and you even added a handbag!!! Love the Clutch
paypabak writer writes:
April 12th, 2009 at 11:49 am

I was under the impression, and have seen it push ARC up amazingly, that hair was the biggest offender, the longer, the worse it gets. Those are great looks!
Gabby Panacek writes:
April 12th, 2009 at 12:02 pm

Wow! Thanks, everyone, for the comments. I really had a great time putting this look together…though I will admit to calling on my favorite ARC-obsessed amiga, Caer Balogh, when it came to looking for hair. Jori’s clutch is fantastic and worked so well with the outfit, like it was kismet. And, Isle, this was no easy task, but it made me look at pieces in my inventory in a whole new way.

I have nothing but love for you all! <3 xoxoxo