……………Many of you remember the 100% SILK SHANTUNG window pane shirt. The last time it was sold was in 2006 or 2007. It’s been many years since it’s been avail. Unfortunately, the price increase of silk was so huge that it was impossible to produce it anymore. At one time silk out of China was extremely inexpensive, but the Chinese government changed all of that. Overnight they raised the price of the raw silk thread before it’s spun. That ended my, and everyone else in a certain price range, use of silk. The demand was still there, and many of you asked to please bring it back. A whole group of you have never seen this shirt, and those of you who do have it, are still wearing it. At one point we had twenty color combinations. A few years ago we had the shirt priced out. It was over triple the amount of the original price. I can’t imagine how much it would cost today………..So why am I bringing this up? On a whim, I asked Elaine, my manufacturer, if she though the window pane could be reproduced in the new stretch SHANTUNG of the India Pink, Turquoise and Lime fame…….We sent a swatch of the original for pattern, and they sent back their version…..which was exact. Side by side you can’t tell the difference, but of course one is silk and the new shantung is polyester………So…….my question to you is….would you be interested in the window pane jacket in the new Shantung. The buyers loved it, but I’m coming to you first before I pursue it any further……….Would you like this new version? Yea or Nay?
I would love to have this done in shantung which I could wear open with a camisole of a matching or blending color. Super.
I like the idea of tan or brown with black stripes or your caramel with black stripes. On the brighter side, gold or yellow with blue stripes.
ABSOLUTELY, EACH AND EVERY COLOR,ASAP!
YES. I love window pane checks. I have multiples of these in the silk. All of them match beautifully in the front, and not at the sides, but do not cause distractions (and we don’t go around with our arms up). I wear them as jackets with a tee or tank underneath and always feel well dressed. I like natural fibers but would wear the faux shantung because of easy care and less worry about damaging the fabric or paying for dry cleaning.
One thing I have noticed in reviews people say they do not like boxy. There is nothing wrong with boxy. Everything does not need to be shaped and fitted. Perhaps the description in the write up on QVC.com and in the presentation could stress that it is boxy. If you do not want boxy don’t buy it. It is a very attractive top, with a lot of nice details, such as a stand collar, reinforcements at the seams where the shoulder pads are placed, mitered corners on the hem, and contrasting fabric on the cuff. The colors of the originals are very pretty. I like lively colors, colors with warmth, and basic colors but nothing grayed and drab.
Louis, for a long time, I had a window pane silk blouse in white herringbone w/thin black stripes. Had a black band collar and the sleeves from the shoulder to the cuff were inset with a black wide insert that could only be seen when you flexed your arm. It was part of a 3-pc suit done by Louis Feraud. The only caveat I would say to you is decide what season you want to feature this blouse. In the late spring/summer, they would be almost impossible to wear, especially here in Chicago, where this last summer was a humidity nightmare — couldn’t wear anything except 100% cotton or linen, and still can’t. I’ve purchased your Anne Klein clothing and now Linea because your taste is impeccable. I love very classic clothing but with an edge, that can be worn for years. While looking toward the future, I’d also choose colors that can be worn with the clothing you’ve featured the last few years. Thank you for asking. Melanie
Of course these were among the most successful shirts of Linea ever. Could I put in my vote for colors early?
And I don’t know if you are planning to bring back the original colors, since this will be an altogether new item, but
I always regretted not getting the black and white combination ( black background), royal and red and the hot pink and white.
With over 40 responses I don’t think there’s any question that Linea ladies would love having this item , even in the new
Poly shantung, which is even better, more durable and easier to care for.
YES !!!!! Please do it ! Love this shirt
Would love a washable one, sadly the dry cleaner left mine dingy looking! But, could you update the silhouette, much longer, tunic length? Thanks it was a winner!
Oh Louis I love that shirt but could the new one be a little longer? If I remember it was a little on the boxy side and a little shorter.
I love everything about this shirt. Love the color combination, too. But I would like it any way you do it. Please, please, please have them consider this. Looking forward to seeing it.
I have this turquoise in the original and wore it recently.
I don’t wear polyester tops – they just don’t breathe for me – so I would not be purchasing the new version.
If you do make a new version, I’d suggest making them an inch or so longer since the original always also felt slightly too short for me. And I’m only 5’3 1/2 but long waisted.
All that being said, you may want to wait for the next administration and the “tariff wars” to end and a new and better economic and trade solution to be crafted before re-doing this wonderful classic.
Dear Louis, I have the original silk version in black/white, teal/burgundy and a multicolor/tan, but I also love this new version! I’ve worn the India pink and turquoise jacket in the new shantung all season long and it really looks and feels like the real thing. I can see the same thing happening with this window pane version. Bring it on 🙂
Dear Louis,
Yes! Please bring back this beautiful shirt style! I still wear my silk ones that reflect your gorgeous designer skills. My favorite colours are aqua, black, light pink, white and tan. By the way, your new shantung jackets are fabulous. Would it be possible please to bring the new shantung jackets back in black, red and navy? We just added two 14 week puppies to the clan of older dogs and are having fun and busy times.
Thank you for your expertise,
Lovelinea
Yes! Absolutely! I have the shantung jackets in all 3 colors and love the material! This fabric looks and feels so upscale and it travels well too. As a side note, Louis, I have been living in your new Printed Kimono jackets. I LOVE them and get so many compliments! Would you consider doing another color in these…possibly wine/merlot shades? Thanks, Mr. Luigino! (I’ve been living in your coin jewelry collection too!) Love, Diana
Diana….I’m happy to hear you love your kimono jackets. Since the “Tropical” color is still avail in all sizes, which surprises me because I love the colors, I don’t know if it will be reordered?
TERRIFIC STILL HAVE AND LOVE IT. SO DOY DAUGHTERS. JACKETS AS WELL
YES YES YES
Absolutely! Love the easy care of the polyester with the look of silk.
Yes, please! The silks were before my time, and I love your stretch shantung.
YES I’ll wear it as a jacket
Definite YES from me! Also, regarding the matching of the seams. If you give your approval that’s good enough for me.
I would be very interested; however, only if the plaid design matched on the seams.
Yes, yes, yes! I was just in time for a deep pink and white window pane silk. A dove grey and white window pane is a fresh look, or soft tan and white W.P. hint, hint. Love the suggestion of deeper bronzes, caramels, And coppers, too. Thank you for asking our opinion.
Oh yes, please!!! Red with white and black with white have been worn by me for MANY years!!
rae
Dear Louis, I have eight of these blouses including the aqua/navy that you are showing. Living in South Florida, I tend to save these silk blouses for good and cooler days when I won’t be sweating in them. So, I don’t wear them that often. I would welcome your faux shantung version, and wear them more often knowing they can go in the washing machine. The side pattern matching is not that big of a deal for me.
Louis
Thank you for the detailed explanation…….I understand the cost and time considerations for the manufacturer because I have resewn many mismatches!
You are an amazing designer and I know you must get very frustrated when your standards are not met! Looking forward to the gorgeous result!
Louis, I echo all the positive comments already stated………love the contrast cuffs and collar….I can see this in my lifestyle……the easy care compared to silk is a huge factor and drawing card for me. I do agree the checks need to be matched or I think the beauty of this gem would greatly decline. Also, my old home ec teacher would probably haunt me!
Thanks for asking for our input😀😀😀
Dear Becky….it is possible to match the side seams, but as you know that takes special laying out of the pattern pieces and a loss of fabric which means a higher price……As for the shoulder matching that’s another story. The front shoulder and the back shoulder are different shapes. A woman’s back, especially at the shoulder, is rounder than the front and the front armhole is different from the back armhole….all technical problems which makes a plaid this size impossible to match at the shoulder. If the fronts and side seams match, the shoulder comes together as what it is. I hope that makes sense. In the end it is up to the buyers how much they will spend. We always offer 3 prices……no matching at all, which I always reject, fronts and backs [if there is a center back seam] which I always insist on. Side seams matching is always a fight. Even the factories don’t want to match side seams. I will do my best…..but no promises……BTW, the photo is of the original jacket that did not match at the side seam and we sold thousands of them.
Yes Louis, I have the Silk shirt and it still looks perfect to this day. Thank you for bringing it back to us. It is a classic. Thank you very much!
Hi, Louis! If I didn’t already have the silk versions, I would be interested in this version. The faux shantung is not a problem for me. I wear them in the summer with a tank and find it to be a terrific combo for summer. I have also worn them over a sleeveless or short-sleeved dress and like them that way as well. You never know…Depending on the color combinations offered, I would likely buy the synthetic version as well!
Yes yes yes and yes for 20 color combinations. Have been stalking eBay for the silk ones and haven’t found any in my size so far. I got to know if linea long after those were sold. I am drooling already thinking of the colors … this is a super tease 😊
Nothing tops a natural fiber but .. the synthetic fabrics you use are fine with me and their slight stretch is comfortable. Easy care is pretty super too.
Definite yes for me! Love those and though I still have perfectly pink/black, silver/black, white/black and turq/lime..they are a bit tight now. Love to pop the collar and cuffs. Again, yes! Thanks for asking. Pamela in the SS
I never got a silk one & always regretted it. I love this design & think it would be stunning in metallic colors….bronze, copper, pewter, even a verdigris!
Absolutely yes! I own your silk navy/yellow before it was discontinued! Love, love , it! Your shantung though is spot on for “silk”!
I wasn’t around when these were offered, but snagged a couple on EBay
I actually like the polyester Shantung better than the silk because the stretch the jackets have make them so comfortable
I’d say yes
Oooh, this came out before I found you. I would love something like this in Shantung!
I first found your line about the time that shirt was being discontinued and always wish I had bought one. Yes, please for the reinvention.
TT
Yes! Yes! Yes! I have all the silk window pane tops and LOVE them and were them all the time would Love to see them come back in shantung with a little stretch would be wonderful!!! Please bring them back ❤
I would be interested in it, but only if the stripes match on the sides & at the shoulders.
Sorry, I missed it. Not familiar with your stretch Shantung and if it’s polyester, it’s no for me. Same with the colors pink, turquoise, and lime. I’m looking for more natural fabrics on QVC, but willing to look at natural/synthetic mixes.
Fabric I am definitely interested in would be medium weight cotton, silk/cotton, rayon, rayon/cotton. Colors: navy/white, black/white, black/gray, navy/burgundy, forest green/navy.
Since, I’m probably in the minority as far as the fabric, I’ll be passing on this one. It’s beautiful, though.
Love shantung! How about a brown or tan with black window pane? Thank you for asking.
Yes, I would love the window pane shirt..even if cannot be made in silk..thank you!!
Thanks for letting us weigh in on this, Louis. I LOVE this aqua/navy combination and would wear it open as a shirt jacket. Could the sleeves be 3/4 length? Buttoned up as a blouse would probably not work for me, as I’d feel too hot, but wearing it open would solve that problem. I would definitely be interested! (and I live in the steamy Gulf South.)
Dear Yvette, it does have a 3/4 sleeve, and many women have worn it open with a tank under it.
Louis, YES! I somehow missed the Silk versions, but I would actually prefer the Shantung option. So YES, and thank you for asking our opinion!
Seka.
Yes! Yes!! Yes!!! I still wear my 2 100% silk ones. I’m not a purist, so I welcome your new version. Thank you, Louis.