Fashion

[kate2357]

I only discovered the Linea line maybe 3 years ago? Not long ... but long enough to know that some items work for me and some don't. The style and the fit have been terrific for me w/ almost all the LDO products I have ordered. I've sent back very few items ... and usually I've sent back items because the style didn't work for my body type....I can't think of any LDO I've sent back due to the fabric.

I personally have very little need for silk or wool in either my work life or for after hours activities ... so the material LDO uses has been fine for me. But I would imagine if you had to go into a corporate office enviornment ... you might wish to have 'finer' materials to be used for clothing. I know I wish they used less spandex in dress shirts, slacks and jeans .. but that's my personal gripe about clothes from anywhere/anyone.

I will say that I've not ordered much of LDO's items since Jan/Feb when he launched the Linea Leisure line. I'm not personally into anymore of the long flowy tunics on my body and I don't buy crew neck anything. I'm waiting for some of LDO's soft suiting jackets and I'm personally glad he doesn't do them up in wool or cashmere. I couldn't wear them if he did.

[lavendar]

QVC is not willing to risk a line that's over a certain price point. I much prefer natural fibers. I only wear cotton, mostly woven, in the summer.

Cotton became very expensive years ago. I was thrilled to find the cotton dresses that I used to buy from the Smithsonian at the Vermont Country Store. But the mumuu I got last year was thinner than the previous ones of the same style. I did find a few well made woven cotton skirts on sale on the Q last year.. I bought one in every color. I suspect eventually cotton will become prohibitively expensive.

I nabbed a linen blend top from Isaac; it was marked down. Isaac uses more cotton but I don't consider him a vendor; his contract is a special one.

Silk! Bob Mackie mentioned that the silks he sold would not reappear. Too much going on in China.

I also think ironing is becoming a thing of the past. Many prefer synthetics.

Linea does it the best for me. Since I retired I don't need much and I love his leisure line. It's cotton! I've stopped shopping except for sale items and that's ending. I have a limited budget and too many clothes. Whisper knit feels good although I can't wear it in the summer.

I agree with the OP that people don't dress. It's sloppy casual day every day. I went to the theater last month. Tickets were pricey. It was a matinee and most there were middle aged and up. Everyone looked like they'd just finished their yard work  and came directly to their one hundred dollar seats. I was one of the few women with a dress on. A very simple cotton one. My date was wearing pressed khakis and a nice shirt. We felt overdressed. 

[cotto22]

OH Lord, here we go again. So LDO starts designing clothes for someone under the age of 60 who doesn't traipse off to the office and the world is going to come to an end? I don't think we have to worry that he and Lori Goldstein are going to go out for cocktails anytime soon and merge their lines. Yes, there are some uneven hems in his new pieces. Yes, there are a lot more casual pieces,tunics,  and even...leggings. But there are still the classics pieces that those of you who have been buying Linea for years have come to expect from Louis. 

  I am relatively new to buying from Linea. But when he is on, I usually add several items to my closet. I was blown away by his spring and summer line: the zig zag group was phenomenal. It rivaled anything I saw from high end designers at the Houston Galleria. I also loved the black and topaz maxi. Louis knows how to dress a woman's body. But he also realizes we don't spend every moment going out for cocktails or to the theater or to dinner. The casual pieces I have purchased are great with jeans and leggings in the fall and winter. I have heard his tanks are great too, although I have not purchased any yet.

  Apparently the Linea line is evolving, like everything else. Whether this is due to price constraints, or a change in creative direction, will probably remain a mystery.

While I was thrilled with some of the new items in the last show (textured top and dress specifically), I am sad that the OP was so very distraught in the changes that she has perceived in Louis' designs and fabrications. Personally, I have been very happy with the quality of both, as opposed to some other items I have tried from other QVC designers. 

  I think there is enough variety in the Linea line for all occasions. While I cannot attest to any decrease in quality of materials, I can claim that I have been very happy with my purchases in terms of styling and quality of workmanship. I don't wear Linea every day, but when I do, I enjoy wearing it.

[rac71]

Not a great idea to make such broad generalizations about every member of society. I certainly don't dress like a sloppy shlub every day, nor do I look like I'm cleaning the toilets when I go out to eat.

I prefer blouses without buttons. My build and extreme bustline strains every button placket and it is not worth the cost of any garment to spend $100 or more to have it custom tailored and restructured. At 4'11" I spend enough on essential tailoring. Suits are a corporate convention. Since I cannot always find comfortable, modest dresses, I wear separates. Again, not wearing dresses all the time for nice does not make me a slob.

i have been very pleased with the Linea items. I first discovered him a few years ago on PMS with Lisa Roobertson. The Posh knits (silk and cashmere) were on OTO and I snapped several up. I also love the WHisper Knit fabric and drape, and probably bought one of every wool-blend pencil skirt he had. I feel classy and elegant in his clothes. Yes, my skirts are long. Again, I am under five feet tall. So a pencil is a midi skirt, midi skirts are closer to maxis, and a maxi simply isn't worth the cost to lose that much yardage in tailoring.

Comfort dressing does not make us look slovenly. I find the Linea yarns far higher quality than the content equivalents that are cheaply made for mass-market stores.

[JustJazzmom]

@cotto22

I think LDO has added more casual items to his line at the request of the women wanting more casual items in their wardrobe for wear on weekends or running errands w/o looking sloppy.

I for one, like the new casual lines (Leisure line is the one that comes to mind) and certain items of clothing can be either dressed up or down depending on what you use as accessories.

Even if you do not like this line, there are plenty of lines to chose from here or at B&M stores.

[Writer with Flair]

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@JustJazzmom wrote:

@cotto22

I think LDO has added more casual items to his line at the request of the women wanting more casual items in their wardrobe for wear on weekends or running errands w/o looking sloppy.

I for one, like the new casual lines (Leisure line is the one that comes to mind) and certain items of clothing can be either dressed up or down depending on what you use as accessories.

Even if you do not like this line, there are plenty of lines to chose from here or at B&M stores.

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     I have always and continue to purchase the Linea by Louis Dell'Olio line at QVC.  I love his more tailored items, the casual Linea Leisure line (like JustJazzmom), his jewelry , his hosiery, and his shawls.  (Did I leave anything out?)

     I never have gotten a piece of any of his Whisper Knits that I did not just love.  The sweaters, tunics, skirts, pants (wish they would make more of these), and shawls are simply wonderful.

     The suede jackets and other blazers from Louis are some of the best quality items in my wardrobe--if not the best.  I only wish that he would do berets, shoes, and purses as well.

     Louis always comes up with interesting fabrics and gorgeous designs.  He seems to usually have something for everyone--no matter their figure type. 

     I actually like his easy care fabrics.  The poly charmeuse he has used in some items is a dead ringer for expensive silks--but with much easier and less expensive care.

     In my opinion, there is not another designer who can touch him;  he is the real deal.   I feel indeed fortunate to be able to purchase his beautiful designs. 

[151949]

Op - sorry to tell you this but you are not allowed to disparage LDO on this board and if you do they come out in force. Last year I bought a blouse that  was very badly and cheaply made and when I came here to tell ladies not to buy it they just about ripped my heart out. Meanwhile the thing was so badly sewn I had to break out my sewing machine to resew it, because I really NEEDED a white blouse so didn't want to return it. It was sad though.

[italia8140]

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@chrystaltree wrote:

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@Vivian Florimond wrote:

First, I'm seeing all sorts of icons and images on the top of the message box. Why? In any case, I just took a look at Louis del'Olio's latest additions to the line. What has QVC done to my favorite designer? They obviously have severely restricted his ability to offer us the beautiful clothes that he used to bring us. They have so cheapened the brand that I can't see myself ordering anything. Lousy fabrics, no detailing, shoddily made. In other words, QVC has turned Linea into the typical cruddy stuff that they always sell. I could cry.

Wow, your psychic powers amaze me!  You can tell all that just from seeing a few things presented on tv. 

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It's EASY to tell if a garment is made of cheap material or cheaply made when the camera does a close up of the piece.