………………….THE BLACK MOSS CREPE RUFFLE CARDIGAN, A391008, the matching MOSS CREPE TANK, A391009, and the MOSS CREPE ASYMMETRICALLY RUFFLED TIERED SKIRT, A391010 make for one fabulous end of year SURPRISE!……..When I thought about what I should do for December I had a choice….something very classic or something with a WOW factor…..a “WANT” not a need…..It’s obvious what I went with……………..There is a story behind this outfit………..I actually sketched this outfit three years ago………I sketched this while Jac was asleep in the Boston Mass. General Hospital. She was a sleep a lot of the time so I sat there and I sketched, and sketched and sketched to take my mind off of what was happening. For some reason I started a theme of ruffled separates. The fantasy and whimsy of them made me happy, and lightened my spirit for the moment. Other ruffle styles that I sketched in the hospital have shown up since then. One was the ruffle front jewel neck blouse with the flounce cuff. The floral print was decided much later. It came in red, green, sapphire blue and black…all with white. They were all sketched at the same time just used on different collections, and fabrics chosen accordingly. I know many of you own it and are enjoying it. It’s still avail, but almost completely gone………I digress……….These Moss Crepe samples were made and have been sitting in the office at Lai Apparel. I had them saved because I always loved and believed in them. They still look as fresh and relevant today as they did three years ago. I always imagined Jac wearing them in a very nonchalant way. I can still see her in my mind wearing this outfit with boots as casually as if she were wearing a tee shirt and jeans………………………………….The open front cardigan is approx. 29 inches at its’ longest length for the xxs. It has a curved bottom so the ruffles follow the curve without any corners to deal with…….The MOSS CREPE KNIT fabric makes these pieces SEASON-LESS. They are all light weight and unlined so they just flow, move and drape the way they should…….unencumbered…….This cardigan, however is all about the RUFFLES…..it is DRIPPING IN RUFFLES! They hang beautifully because the edges are LASER CUT!!! There is no hem to create bulk or to keep them from hanging and draping beautifully……There is something very FRENCH about this outfit, and reminds me very much of Sonia Rykiel who certainly had her way with a Ruffle….. What I always appreciated about her was she never made her ruffle styles cloyingly sweet…..they always had a womanly sophistication about them. They were never for little girls, but more for FEMME FATALES!…………If you don’t think of this cardigan as a very limited style to wear, and just think of it as a black cardigan…..then the possibilities of wearing it will open up to you!………Yes, wearing it with the matching tank and skirt is very dramatic and one heck of an outfit……perfect in the Moss Crepe for travel, but when you separate the pieces that is when you can start to appreciate just how versatile they can be…..Above, I have the cardigan with a white Moss Crepe scoop neck Tee or cotton tee and JEANS! Yes, jeans…..Why thrown on just any cardigan when you can add something feminine and fun. In the spring and summer wear white jeans or Ivory dress pants depending where you are going…..This winter add your new WK classic Ivory TN and the Black Faux Suede pant…At the extreme left I have the cardigan and tank with the TCF Pencil Skirt and the WK Midi Skirt which are perfect options to the ruffle tiered skirt….Maybe you have a sleeveless dress sitting in your closet that has been waiting for something wonderful to wear over it……See where I’m going with this………PANTS…..depending on the season…..all styles will work…..The SEQUIN PANT FOR SURE!…..Capri pants, crop slim and crop wide leg pants with sandals [again a very Sonia R. look], wedges and clogs are all perfect for warmer months. Slim pants, wide leg pants, trouser pants and even palazzo pants will all work…….even print pants like my crepe wider leg “Wood Block” print would look wonderful………The key is to PLAY PLAY PLAY……How to wear this cardigan is only limited by your imagination!………………………………enjoy……………………….much Love………………………….Louis
I bought this set in both colors–I have been living in skirts since WFH in March and need a few new ones. These, along with the matching jacket, will be comfy but also Zoom appropriate. And thanks for the navy. On another topic, I have been in NE recently and finally had an opportunity to wear your ultra-warm fleece-lined black tights (A439092) and they are fantastic! I wore them under skinny jeans one day and under a fuller skirt dress the next. Not bulky but super cozy, silky against the skin and very warm. I am ordering a second set and highly recommend them. Maybe you should remind Linea ladies about these? So good!
Kate, thanks for the reminder…..I just posted a reminder to all! So happy you purchased the ruffle pieces…..Don’t forget there is also a matching Moss Crepe which hasn’t been posted yet!!!??? Typical QVC……keep an eye out for them they really finish the outfits and ARE GREAT TANKS ON THEIR OWN.
Did I miss this order? It says sold out! Oh well, that’s what I get for doddling…
no Bighairgal….you haven’t missed it….it hasn’t been posted yet.
hurrah!
Louis, you are spot on with the ruffles. I received my November Soft Surroundings catalog and it offers ruffles on just about everything – collars, stripes down the arm, around armhole, diagonal flounce on dress, front placket of blouse and more. What I especially like about YOUR cardigan is the fabric.
Dear Jackie, I too just received my Soft Surroundings catalog ans was surprised to see all the ruffles….even on the diagonal. I guess my ruffle blouse in the black and plum and these new Moss Crepe pieces are very much of the moment…..though as I said I did my sketches 3 years ago. It just proves good design is timeless…..The Moss Crepe IS the perfect fabric for these pieces. With the laser cut ruffles no other fabric would have draped as this does.
Love these ruffles! So pretty and feminine and not “too much” of a good thing. I’ll likely wear the cardigan and skirt as separates, but who knows, I might put them together! I’m seeing a lot of ways to pair each one. I especially like the elegant look of the skirts with the lurex sweaters. Perfect fabric for future travel and a fun way to kick up an outfit in the meantime. I’ll be getting both the black and navy pieces. That Jac was the inspiration makes them all the more special! Thanks, Louis…
PERFECTION! I love these pieces – and this fabric. I may have to purchase both colors.
I love the ruffle twin set and skirt! Another ensemble for my black sequin pants.
Wow! I thought I was about done buying this year. Nope! Love this ensemble. Will be getting each piece in black.
I got choked up when I read about the inspiration behind these pieces and your past ruffly pieces (I have and adore the floral ruffle top in red and green). Would’ve been neat to see how Jac styled these…but, we will have to do as you say, play and make them our own. Thanks Louis!
Oh, Louis, just when I thought I was done………Wow! My wardrobe has expanded greatly with your fall collection. I am a black and white girl, so I have gone to town. My only sorrow is living in Florida but I couldn’t refuse TCF topper in white which is a beauty! I’m wanting the boucle v neck jacket in gray especially since it’s on sale. It might be too heavy a weight for Florida but…..what the hell! I am mad for these ruffles in the jacket and skirt! Beautiful, soft, elegant and so feminine. The drape is so languid, liquid,,,,,,,,,,,oh my,,,,,lovely! I adore your navy…….deep like ink. The black is a no brainer but the navy is calling me as well. I might have to get the navy sequin pants, too since I have the black from your past collection. I love it with the pearl wrap over blouse and dripping in your pearls which I have as well. Who said Nan Kempner or Babe Paley were the best dressed…………because of you, all your Linea Ladies could give them a run for their money! oxoxoxox Cat
Oh Louis you’ve done it again. I’m over the moon in love with the cardigan and skirt and how do I choose a color? Your collection the Fall is over the top.
Dear Kathy….I had great inspiration…..so glad you like my year end offerings.