Author: Louis Dell'Olio

The fourth and final combination of the long metallic and color bead necklace, J284036, is the …………GUNMETAL & ROOT BEER…………………For me, this is a stunning , new and fresh combination….with an EDGE. It is wonderful on all grays, black, topaz etc……it looks wonderful with the new TOPAZ MARLED knits, as well as all of the items that have come and will come in TOPAZ and PEWTER…It will look beautiful with the TWEEDS to come in Sept…………….I truly believe this is a MUST HAVE to round out your LINEA JEWELRY COLLECTION…….GUNMETAL………GUNMETAL…….GUNMETAL….enjoy…..much Love………Louis

Inquiring minds want to know…….ever since I showed the photos of the accessory bags, many of you have asked “what is the cowl neck, and does it have a matching skirt?”…….here is your SNEAK PEEK. The MARLED KNIT COWL NECK is…… A236139……and the MARLED KNIT SKIRT is…..A236140……………….the fabric content is…80 % poly/18 %  rayon/1 %  span. Due to the fact that this is a jacquard KNIT JERSEY there is plenty of STRETCH! ………As you can see from the photos….the TOPAZ/BLACK combination works perfectly with the Topaz suede/knit jacket [above], and it will work perfectly with the TOPAZ SEAMED JACKET from last fall. The fabric has the same COZY feel as the striated jersey fabric from the July group, though this fabric is slightly heavier…..but not much…..so if you loved that fabric, which I know many of you did, you will love this one too. I would say the striated fabric had more color and less black where this is the opposite. at least it gives the appearance of having more black. It is an easy care, machine wash fabric and great for travel. Even though it has a high count of poly…..you would never know from the touch or look. There is absolutely no sheen or polyester feel to this fabric. It feels like a cotton/cashmere…..as I said…..COZY.

The MARLED JERSEY COWL NECK TOP, A236139. The length of the Cowl Neck Top is approx 26 to 26 1/2 long for the xs, depending where you measure it from….always check with the QVC garment measurements. The sleeves are long and narrow enough where by you can push them up or scrunch them up…..this is an easy fabric to shorten if necessary. The cowl itself is double fabric, which gives it a rich lofty feel. It also enables it to drape in nice folds without looking skimpy. When you receive it, you will notice that there are darts in the back of the garment….just to keep the body fullness in control. I decided to keep the front clean. Belt it or not…. wear it casual or to the office….this COWL TOP can work for anyone’s life style.

THE MARLED JERSEY SKIRT, A236140 is made in the same fabric as the top, so they are an exact match.. Again, the skirt is similar to the STRIATED SKIRT from the July group….but not the same…..the details…from the  top: This is a PULL-ON SKIRT and the waist band has LOTS of STRETCH for comfort…..no zippers necessary………the skirt has a SINGLE STITCHED DOWN PANEL in the front which is approx 7 inches wide. The pleat it creates is SHALLOW…so there is ABSOLUTELY NO BULK in the front at all! It lays absolutely flat……This is a BOOT LENGTH SKIRT…..for most…. with an approx.31 1/2 inch length. It can be a little longer or shorter depending where you place the top band. There is a graceful sweep to this skirt….but not too much. The back is clean and has darts…..no SHIRRING to create a poofy back side. …..This skirt has slanted trouser like POCKETS….so not only is it COZY, but it’s COZY with ATTITUDE. If you are a NO pocket girl…..just have them sewn up…….which is a very easy alteration…..I love pockets, and I know many of you do too.

Thought these two pieces make  an easy to wear two piece dress….PLEASE think of them as SEPARATE PIECES…… to mix and match with things you have….. or the new WHISPER KNITS you are picking up. The TOPAZ and BLACK sweaters are perfect with the TOPAZ MARLED KNITS. You may even want to try the skirt with the V-neck or the SURPLICE tops in BLACK with an IVORY tank or “T” under it…..just as an alternative, and  just to keep it light………….For me BOOTS , of some sort, are a must…..shoe booties will also work with black tights……sorry, but I do have a PET PEEVE………I do not like LONG FALL/WINTER SKIRTS  with pumps…especially with NUDE HOSE…..unless it’s for evening……….I feel long skirts need to be anchored with a boot…..it’s a better balance…….this is not a RULE…..it’s just what my eye sees as being right……but don’t worry…..I won’t see you so wear it the way you like…..LOL….. The new GUNMETAL jewelry is a must for all of the MARLED KNITS……the cross will be coming for the Holidays and it mixes beautifully with the GUNMETAL LOVE KNOTS which are back in stock, but already getting limited. Do NOT pass on GUNMETAL this season………………………………………enjoy………….much Love………..Louis

The second color I am offering in the MARLED NECK COWL TOP, A236138, and SKIRT A236140, is FUCHSIA. This color, though named the same as the striated “T” and skirt, is not the same. This matches your new FUCHSIA WHISPER KNIT SWEATERS PERFECTLY, as you can see in the photo above……Throw on your BLACK LEATHER JACKET or one of your LINEA BLACK SUEDE jackets from past seasons and you are ready for  FALL I would even LOVE your BLACK & IVORY HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK JACKET from last fall…..very EDITORIAL….. When the weather gets even colder…..add a wonderful BLACK SHAWL or a terrific BLACK FAUX FUR…..such as my A229709, PERSIAN LAMB zip front jacket….The TEXTURES and PATTERNS together are pure DESIGNER. ……………………………………………………….enjoy…………………….Much Love…………………………Louis

TEAL is the third and final choice in the MARLED KNIT COWL NECK TOP & SKIRT………You know all of the details so lets discuss COLOR…..The  two rows of photos to the extreme left are the most accurate. The color is a deep TEAL with a lot of green turquoise in it. The photos of the two close ups of the cowl are not accurate for the color at all……but I used them because I wanted you to see how beautifully the cowl drapes. The new SPRUCE GREEN SUEDE JACKET blends surprisingly well….not a match…actually much more interesting and off handed than a true match……..it’s because they are both in the blue- green spectrum…….Every color…the TOPAZ…..the FUCHSIA….the TEAL……are unique……….what  works best for you…..what color do you have very little of that would make a nice change…..these are the question that may help in making your choice. You really can’t go wrong in which ever color you choose…………they are ALL……..BEAUTIFUL……………enjoy……….much LOVE…………………….Louis

Since so many of you have seen glimpses of my new SUEDE & KNIT combination JACKET, A236138, I have chosen it as my second SNEAK PEEK. It will appear on one of my Aug 26th shows at either 1PM or 11PM, not sure which. The newest of my SUEDE & KNIT jackets is approx 26 inches long for the XS. It has KNIT SLEEVES and a KNIT STAND COLLAR, which in the photos above looks terrific when worn open. This is especially good for those of you who may have short neck issues. The knit of the collar is DOUBLED, which is the more expensive and IMHO, the best and finest way to make this type of collar. The INSERTED BAND POCKETS are slightly slanted for easier access. There is a TWO WAY ZIPPER, which allows you to wear the jacket in a myriad of ways….if you have hip issues, the two way zip will give you just enough added room, and will look like you unzipped it as a style feature. It really is fun to play with all the different looks a two way zipper can offer. The body of the jacket is fully lined….the sleeves, of course are not. If you have sleeve length issues, just turn them back and create a knit cuff, which can also look like another design detail……….Let’s talk COLOR………………..This is the DEEPEST DARKEST RICHEST WALNUT I have ever done….anywhere. With suede it’s always a gamble just how the color will come out….and that goes for the most expensive suede and leathers you can buy…..when the suede goes into the dye baths you pray that the color comes out as you hoped…………..this WALNUT EXCEEDED my expectations. I have chosen to coordinate the WALNUT with the LAPIS BLUE TURTLENECK, and the colors together look SENSATIONAL…..I can’t think of anyone who can not wear these colors….RED HEADS, BRUNETTES, and BLONDS etc etc will all be fabulous in these colors. Of course any color will look great with the WALNUT….. because the color is so deep it become a neutral………..WALNUT is the NEW BLACK!…………………………………..

………………………………………………………………Enjoy…………………………much Love………………………. Louis