Author: Louis Dell'Olio

……………….A NEW TOP……A NEW PANT…….A NEW FABRIC…..coming on my Feb 1st 5:00 pm show………First the fabric…….This is a knit, for lack of a better description, a Ponte type fabric. It is a blend of 72%polyester, and 28% cotton. Since it is a knit fabric it has natural stretch…….The fabric has a silky smooth cotton touch, and is  substantial enough to be able to make both tops and pants. Due to the blend of poly cotton this CHAMBRAY BLUE and a slight HEATHER effect. This is definitely spring early summer wear. You would not wear this top in the heat of the summer unless you were wearing a tank with the crop pant, and went into an air conditioned movie theater or restaurant where the chill can get to you. Jac always protests about bringing something along when we go out in the summer, especially to the movies…..then…….after a few minutes and the lights are out…..and the movie has begun….I can see her from the corner of my eye sheepishly putting her top on…..what can I say….she’s is a Taurus…….LOL………The TOP, A273858 is 27 inches long for the xxs….so I would consider this a moderate tunic length….not too long, but long enough to cover. The fun part of this top is focused at the TOP. It has a fold over collar [front only] which sort of has a NAUTICAL feel…….The two slanting zippers do work, but there is fabric underneath…..no skin showing. They really are more for adornment than for function. However, the zippers on the sleeves are functional…..so they can be unzipped and folded back………POCKETS????? OF COURSE Where would you put your hands if this top didn’t have them. There is an embroidered Linea logo in tonal thread so it is hardly noticeable. The top has a easy fit and I would suggest getting your regular size. This is a cut and sew garment….not a sweater so let that be your guide…..Pay close attention to the measurements and you won’t go wrong……………….THE CROP PANT, A273859, I am going to predict becomes one of your new favorites. It is sized, like the top, XXS through 3X……Starting at the top….it has a CONTOUR covered elastic band approx. 2 inches wide. It has a great feel on the body. Emb. on the band is the tonal Linea insignia in a tonal thread color. There is a fax front zip fly created with a simple top stitch, again for the look only. There are however….REAL POCKETS…..The back of the pant is clean…..just two darts for shape…….The inseam for the xxs is approx 24 inches so I don’t know if these would be considered more Capri then crop. To tell you the truth I seldom  pay any attention to those things. What is important to me is how they look on the fit model when we are creating the style. I leave the “name calling” up to those who find it important……..The bottom of the crop/Capri has a CUFF. A cute detail that gives the pant a new casual look. The important thing to remember is……the pieces are NOT TO BE WORN SOLELY AS A MATCHING SET!….. Even though you can, and they do look perfect worn they way…..you will get much more wear it you don’t only match….but have fun mixing them with other things you own…..like the jeans above. I hope you like these pieces as much as I think you will, and I hope the fabric is something that you also feel can be a Linea staple………………………….Enjoy……………much Love……………Louis

……………………………….NAVY……is such a natural choice for these two pieces that I had to do it……The SILVER zippers look fresh, clean and sharp, and really give an exclamation to the top. It forces the viewer to look at YOU!…….A simple earring is really all you need, and my beautiful PANTHER BAND watch in SILVER. I LOVE the SILVER CHAIN HOOP, both avail in clip or pierced. Of course the BOLD HOOP, DEMI HOOP and the SWIRL [also in clip or pierced], all avail . in SILVER, all look perfect with the top. ….Pair the top with the matching crop pant and a pair of sneakers….or for dressier outings a pair of silver sandals Then mix it with your white pants……in the case above….the WHITE Linea Leisure pull-ons. Don’t wait for May or June to buy your white pants. Smart shoppers know to buy them early while their size is still avail!……You always need another pair of fresh white pants. Jac washes one pair and sends one special pair to the dry cleaners so they always look sharp….Another way to wear this navy top is with a fabulous WHITE cotton or denim short pencil skirt…..The runways have been filled with pleats pleats and more pleated skirts. Maybe you still have your vintage Linea white pleated skirt to wear with this top and some RED sandals! I’m sure you already own a zillion things to wear with this wonderful Navy top…..Anchors away!…….,…….enjoy…………………….much Love…………… Louis

……………..The third and last color being offered in the top and pant is…….LIGHT KHAKI…….Yes, the pant will work with the Light Khaki Pebble Crepe top…BUT….they aren’t a perfect match. The two fabrics are very different, and come from different fabric companies and from different areas of the country……….This is a wonderful neutral color in this knit, and there is absolutely NO SEE THROUGH…….and because of the weight and shape of the pant….no lumps or bumps thank you very much! MIX these Lt Khaki pieces with your navy, black, grey, brown and chestnut pieces to extend their wearability…even Ivory pants can look wonderful…How chic it will be to wear this top over black pants or even the NAVY CROP pant in the matching fabric……..I know there are some of you who do like to BELT your tops to show your waists……so I wanted to show you just how fabulous this top looks and works belted……belt away………..The zipper color I chose for this top is an antique brass….It is very neutral, and won’t clash with any other color metal you chose. I think the close up pictures really show what a well made garment this is…..The pants alone I would suggest buying in the different colors as they will surely become a work horse in your Linea wardrobes…………………………………..enjoy……………………….much love……………………….Louis

………………………………It’s back and ready for ordering……….The PEBBLE CREPE TOP, A213621…………This has become one of….if not the most popular Linea spring/summer/fall top, and depending on where you live…..a year round top………….I am introducing one of the most popular tops in one of your favorite colors………PERFECTLY PINK…………………..For those of you who own and love this top I certainly don’t have to describe the virtues of why it has become a MUST HAVE, but for those of you new to Linea….a little explanation……First, it’s the fabric…the PEBBLE CREPE. What the fiber content is….almost isn’t important. It’s the way it feels on the body and preforms after many washings  has become the reason it is so popular. If you want the details go to the QVC Linea site for all of the  info……. The fabric is cool and dry to the touch, and the surface has a slight pebble texture………This is a very comfortable top to wear in the warmest steamiest weather………in other words……the dreaded hot days of SUMMER………The design may look deceiving simple…until you take a second look. The open neckline, the 3/4 sleeve hem and the bottom hem are all finished with separate sewn on bands….it’s just not turned and stitched the way most other tops are done. Needless to say this is a much more expensive, time consuming, challenging top to CUT, SEW and MAKE. All of this extra work with the applied bandings helps to keep the top’s SHAPE……Then….there are POCKETS which everyone loves!……This has been the fourth or fifth year this top has been reordered, and to tell you the truth the price, like for everything else should have gone up, but my manufacture, because of her close relationships with the factories she works with has managed to keep the price as is. If you have never tried Linea or are just now testing it out this would be a wonderful place to start. It exemplifies what Linea is about……..QUALITY………I know some of you can’t take your eyes of of the faux PINK QUARTZ necklace…..It is SUPERB, and will be avail sometime this coming Feb…..The one in the photo is the first prototype, and a minor change was made……when it comes in I will tell you all about it. I will be showing the actual corrected piece and matching earring [sold as a set] in the show……………………enjoy……much Love………………….Louis

………………………Another NEW color for the Pebble Crepe top is…..LIGHT KHAKI……a beautiful neutral……………….shown above with the CHESTNUT LINEA LEISURE slim pull on pant. The necklace is new, but the one above is the first prototype. I changed the construction from the ribbon to a chain. The ribbon knots between each bead make it hang wiggly wobbly……you will see the correct one in the show……it will also come with a matching earring as a set! I love how each bead has a different coloration and opacity…..like something from nature….Perfect for all your neutrals….It will be avail. later in the season so this is a double sneak peek……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..