Author: Louis Dell'Olio

The A87434, COTTON BLEND SWING JACKET, has been reordered for the 4th or 5th year in a row….can’t remember how many years exactly, but it doesn’t matter…..What matters is………..the majority of you LOVE it.

Some have described this as a boxy jacket………..This is NOT a BOX jacket…..a box jacket hangs straight down from the shoulder and there is no additional spread to the bottom…….This is a SWING JACKET. The shoulder is narrower then the bottom. The DIAGONAL seams in the jacket, where the pockets are HIDDEN, creates this swing shape. The addition of the inverted pleat in the back adds to the look of the swing. For all of my APPLES and PEARS….this is really the ideal shape for you. In this COTTON BLEND, HERRINGBONE JACQUARD pattern, it definitely has a some what RETRO look……60’s and 70s. The STAND COLLAR, can be worn straight up or turned back, as shown above. There is no button hole in the stand, so it looks perfectly clean turned back. The sleeves are 3/4 length with a turn back cuff, and the jacket is fully lined………….The LIMOGES BLUE, above, is a NEW COLOR. I have it paired with NAVY PONTE PANTS and my SUNSHINE WK SHELL, A251579. The YELLOW is a reorder repeat color, and I have it paired with my NECTAR SLEEVELESS MOCK NECK WK, A233947…….I love this combination….it’s says SPRING!…..and don’t we all need a little SPRING!!………..scroll down……………………………………………….enjoy……………………………..much Love…………………………………Louis

…………..RED is the second NEW COLOR to be added this season, and it is a beautiful red. I tried to get as close as possible to the WK red, but there is a difference due to the major difference in fiber content……the jacket being cotton & Poly and the WK being rayon & nylon….but they are close. Under the red I have my WHITE MOCK NECK SWEATER, A251584 and vintage white pants, though I will have ivory crepe pants and white jeans coming later in the season……it’s too early for white pants anyway……………The jewelry many of you already own. I think the necklace is only avail in GREEN…..the earring and cross are sold out……………….Black is also making a return visit and what a perfect jacket it is for the coming season…..It’s easy, relaxed, great looking worn open and perfect for layering your favorite colors and accessories………….I have chosen to go NEUTRAL and sophisticated by layering a PEWTER POSH KNIT TANK, A238525…..and lots of SILVER ACCESSORIES. I have chosen a vintage white cotton skirt, but there are many options you can choose from…..remember if you have your BLACK & WHITE HOUNDS TOOTH CHECK SKIRT in the back of your closet….that would look terrific with these two pieces. I know you will come up with a zillion ways to wear it….over a dress is perfect for any and all occasions………………………..scroll down……………………………………………enjoy……………..much Love……………………………………Louis

Don’t be afraid to add color……Of course with the WHITE SWING JACKET, A87434, and a black bottom…..any color goes…..but when you are wearing a color jacket with a black or white bottom….don’t be afraid to add that THIRD COLOR…………….Bring it together with accessories……….For those of you who are really good with color, you can even bring in a FOURTH COLOR with your accessories….it is BOLD, but it can have a fabulous effect. Above, with the WHITE JACKET, I have the HOT PINK WK sweater A233952, and under the TURQUOISE JACKET I have the same WK sweater in LIME. My photos really don’t do the colors any justice….you’ll have to trust me….they all look wonderful together……………Here’s to SPRING!…………………………………………enjoy…………………….much Love……………………………..Louis

Are you a traveler………or a traveler of the mind???…..I would say I am both. I have never been to India, but there are many things about the country that I love…..The fabrics, the COLORS, the artisan craftsmanship are all things I admire. The easiness of the clothes….the casualness of the clothes….the dressiness of the clothes….all in the same garment…………..The beautiful  jacquard silks, that we would deem dressy, the Indian women wear for their daily dress…………Their  SARIS….their TUNICS….. are all things that inspire me. To say that the movie, “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”, had an influence on me would be an understatement. I loved the way Dame Judi Dench looked in this movie…..casual, dressy…..all at once…………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..

The TUNIC above, A251587, was born from that inspiration…………First came the movie…..then the FABRIC…….The GEORGETTE JACQUARD MEDALLION FABRIC is 100% polyester, and has a 100% polyester georgette lining  [in the body only]. Look closely at the intricate pattern and design of the “clipped” medallion. It is very much a FOULARD, which came about through the European influence on the Indian culture. The body is straight and easy….this is something you don’t want TIGHT….better it should be a little bigger than smaller, but I think your normal size will be perfect…….Remember….there is NO STRETCH to this fabric……The tunic has an open neckline with a “V” notched out. Both the neckline and V are banded with a narrow piece if georgette…..which extend to create a tie….which can be tied or left undone…..both ways are beautiful. The XS is 29 inches long with 7 inch side slits in both the top and lining. The sleeves are approx. 18 1/2 inches long…………………The color above is……………….VIOLET…….and it is a beautiful saturated color……………….The MATCHING NECKLACE….is LINEA….and will be avail. soon…..I do not have the J number. The silhouette of this easy, breezy tunic is very much authentic to what you may find in boutiques or bazaars in INDIA . Of course it would look great with jeans for that dressy/casual look, as well as Capri, cropped or dress pants. Above, I have the VIOLET TUNIC paired with my HEATHER GREY PONTE PANT, A239321, which actually work with every color this tunic comes in. For a dressier occasion wear it with a WK pencil skirt………These would be perfect take away pieces….easy to pack and easy to wash….for those casual/dressy times……………I have heard though the “grape vine” that a sequel is being made to “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel”…..maybe I should send Dame Judi some tunics!….LOL…………………………scroll down………………..enjoy………much Love………………………………………….Louis

I first want to say my photos have not captured the depth of this PEACOCK color…….it truly is the color of a beautiful Peacock’s feather….very EXOTIC and very Indian. The flash of the  camera unfortunately has bleached it out………Again, the matching necklace of spaced peacock tinted beads will be avail. They are resin beads, not glass. The length is not too long so they should work for everyone. You can double them if you wish for another look, but I like them left long on this tunic…..The pant is new, and it’s a pull-on pant with a full elastic waist, and it has pockets. The fabric is the faux washed silk, as the fall lavender and pewter shirts, so it has a lovely feel and a beautiful languid drape, but not flimsy……The sneak peek of the pant is still to come…………… For those of you who are looking for something special and with a touch of the EXOTIC…..I think this will be the perfect choice for you…………………..scroll down……………………………………………………………….enjoy……………..much Love…………………………Louis