…………The October show is nearing so I though I had better start the sneak peeks before I get too busy getting the 6am and the 1pm shows ready…………………Introducing ……..THE BLUE TUNIC SHIRT………..A267880…..coming on my Oct 7th show….It has haunted me for some time that so many of you have asked me to bring back the “ROBYN SHIRT”, and I have not been able to do so…not because I haven’t tried, but because it has not be chosen…………….I have managed to get this NEW version through……Now, before you start cheering….you must know this is NOT the Robyn shirt….Yes, it has a shirt collar, princess seams, long sleeves with a two button cuff, and a sleeve placket with a button, but that is wear the similarity ends……I must digress for the newest Linea Ladies. The ROBYN shirt along with the KATE classic shirt, which is still avail and has been reordered again, were my first two cotton/span shirts. The Robyn shirt was a classic shirt with princess seams, but it was a tunic length and perfect for leggings…..Leggings were not nearly as popular then as they are today, and for some unknown reason to me….the Robyn shirt didn’t make the cut….but….ever since I made it there have been many devotees who have repeatedly asked for me to bring it back……Now you are up to date…..The SILHOUETTE…….has changed some what and has a more up-scale fashion slant….The front remains classic with a shirt collar and stand and the princess seaming front and back, but the shape is totally different. The new version has a gentle fit thought the bust and high rib cage, and then has a swing body….not too much….just enough to give added room over the hips and add a FEMININE graceful MOVEMENT and FLOW. It also has a HIGH/LOW HEM…..again, not too much, but to give an alluring sweep to the back….Why high/low hems? I really think they are sometimes more flattering than to cut the garment straight across the hips …. The eye follows the hem downward…instead of across the hips. When it is cut straight across the hips the eye is focused on your widest part……..I hope that makes sense to you…….You will understand it more when you see it on your body……………Now for the controversy….and I know there will be some……..It’s about the fabric……..I did not want to use a flimsy georgette without any body, or a cotton that would be too stiff. I wanted a fabric that would show…THE SHAPE….of the garment…..A fabric that was SUBSTANTIAL, but would still have a marvelous….DRAPE….A fabric without any SEE THROUGH!….I chose a fabric that has an edge……..a new TECHNO 100% POLYESTER CADY. What is a Cady?….In the Couture world it is a super heavy SILK used for sheath cocktail and evening dresses. It is very dense, and so substantial that nearly a bump or lump will show….the opposite of a silk crepe de Chine….It is the most expensive silk fabric made…..Women who still don’t understand the advances of polyester fabrics through the years will probably not like this fabric, so I would not recommend this shirt…..but for the rest of you who are willing to try something new I think you will love everything about the silhouette and realize why the silhouette and fabric are the perfect pairing……There is only a natural stretch to the shirt, and there is zero spandex….so be diligent of the measurements……I find the shirt on the generous side, and because of the easy and flowing silhouette I do not think you will have a problem…As you can see in my photos I even have a turtle neck under it…so it can be a wonderful shirt/shirt jacket……Due to the fabric, and the fact that there isn’t any spandex the shirt is numerically sized…………….This is definitely an ACCESSORY SHIRT, and perfect for the Holidays coming up. It is also machine was….hang to dry…..which will make this the perfect travel shirt……..With jeans, LEGGINGS….a short or long straight skirt….or velvet pants…..you will be ready for any occasion………………………………………………………………………………………..enjoy………………………..much Love…………………………………….Louis
Louis,
I am often between sizes. Between an XXS or XS, or a 2 or 4. I can wear an XXS in the crinkle georgette safari shirt. But I went with a size 4 for the safari shirt that is now on clearance. Do you think I should stick with a 4 for this shirt as well?
Does the blue go with the zig zag skirt?
I think this is a little generous so I think the 2 might be better if you are more of a 2 than 4……If you want to wear it more as a shirt jacket than a 4, but in Florida I think you would wear it more with a tank if you were to wear it as a shirt jacket open so the 2 should be OK…….Melissa, the blue does not go with e zig zag skirt. However, there is another tunic shirt coming later in the season, in a similar fabric, in a blue that will work….so I would suggest getting this shirt in black which will fo with the zig zag skirt….worn open with an ivory or Lapis tank, and waiting for the next shirt in the blue.
Thank you for taking into consideration how I would wear it! Based on what you said I think a 2 would be better for me. Will get it in alabaster and black and wait for the tubic in blue. Thanks so much for responding!!
Louis, Does the blue shirt go with the Zebra Black/blue coat?
No Judy….they are different blues.
Louis, I have a silk cady cocktail dress that I adore. If this fabric is anything like that, I’m thrilled. I’m in for the gorgeous alabaster – with a very slim pencil skirt and very high pumps!
Dear Enjay….I can tell you this can’t be compared to real SILK cady, and I didn’t want to mislead anyone. It brings cady to mind and has similarities in weight and drape, but you can’t compare silk with polyester.
Louis, what is the length of the tunic? Thanks in advance!
Dear Grace….the center front length is approx 27 1/2 inches and the back is approx. 3 inches longer for the size 4.
Thanks, Louis. I’ll post your answer in the forum–a few of us were wondering.
So pretty! Will be hard to decide which color(s) to get. Looking forward to your other sneak peeks so I can make my list. 🙂
I came to the blog hoping for a glimpse of the ponte jacket that is to come and was so happy to see this I forgot about the jacket. I feel a little conflicted that you were haunted but thrilled that the result was this shirt. Your description of the fabric, as always, is wonderful and I thank you for that level of detail. This shirt is another design winner! Love it
Louis, I’m in for this in every color. I normally don’t like high-low hems, however your’s I do like. So many of these type hems have the front straight across the bottom to the slit in the side seam and then there is a sharp 2-3″ drop for the back. Those always look like someone pieced the wrong front with the wrong back. I notice you curve the front and back on a high-low hem so that the difference is a graceful dip in length. Love! These type shirts (as are my Robyn shirts) make perfect “jackets” for most of the fall/winter/spring here in Florida. I am on a business trip next week and will have to pull some major logistics to make sure I somehow get mine ordered.
Dear Deborah…it should be posted on the night of the 6th or else you will be fine to order early Weds. morning.
yes…it’s similar to a flag blue, but they are all slightly different.
Louis – I love this profile! Is the blue a similar shade to any of your past ‘blues’?
Susan
I have a pair of Armani Techno Cady pants bought last year. I love the weight, drape and smooth hand of the fabric. They too are 100% poly…
I’m in for this shirt in Alabaster and probably black. Love the softer swingy fit which will be lovely over a pencil skirt as well as slim pants.
I’m not saying it’s as good as the Armani one. I know exactly which Italian mill supplies him with the fabric, but I think mine is very nice.
My point was that Armani makes garments with this type of poly fabric, too. My pants were about $500.00; I also have a suit from Theory made from Techno Cady. I would not expect a blouse that costs under $100.00 to be made of the identical fabric!
I understood you perfectly…I guess we are both trying to point out that polyester can be a wonderful fabric to all the naysayers…..LOL