The open-weave Nolan sweater from LINE The Label’s Spring/Summer 2016 collection is layered with a cotton button-down sans a trace of bulk.
When the weather warms up it’s so easy to fall victim to lazy dressing. Tank and cardigan. Check. Summer dress and cardigan. Check. T-shirt and cardigan. Check. And who could blame us? It’s hot, we’re running off to work or taking the kids to school/soccer practice/music lessons, and time is of the essence. But lately, we’re tired of our laissez-faire wardrobe. We still have clients to meet, Fun Fair fundraisers, and yes, even a date night or two. These life moments demand a certain amount of style, so we visited LINE the Label, a brand that’s graced the torso’s of Mila Kunis, Hilary Duff and Lana Del Rey, to get the goods on how to layer (a style we’re really into) when the temperatures rise.
LINE The Label’s president John Muscat says, that the challenge for people is how to dress weather appropriate and still look professional and comfortable. “Of course you can still do the basic cardigan over a tank or top, but now there are so many more stylish options.”
1. Swap your cardigan for a knit jacket. Think of it as your grown-up, cardi-substitute. “A little knit jacket completes your look similar to a blazer—it’s just a bit trendier and surprising,” says LINE the Label’s president, John Muscat. He says that the perfect knit jacket should resemble a deconstructed blazer, but still give the illusion of structure. Look for a medium to heavier knits which help hold the shape of a jacket and prevent it from looking sloppy. And, usually the lapel doesn’t have an actual, turned-back collar but instead could be slightly rounded or even collarless, giving it a more modern feel. Finally, make sure the shoulders have shape to them, which will help give the knit a feeling of structure.
Update your style and sub your button up cardigan with LINE The Label’s black knit jacket, the Murphy. TIP: You don’t need to dry clean as often as you think. Only dry clean when there’s an odour or stain, otherwise, just hang and air out because too much friction or washing can wear out knitwear.
2. Stick to monochromatic layering. It’s the simplest way to look pulled together, says John. For example, layer a white camisole or tank under a white open-weave sweater—a stylish alternative to a traditional knit sweater. “This way you’re creating lightness while keeping it modest and comfortable. There’s an openness and airiness to the sweater so it won’t feel or look heavy in the warmer weather.” For cooler summer evenings you can even swap out your tank for a button-down. A cotton shirt is thin enough to wear underneath and elevates the look into something more sophisticated and tailored.
3. Look for linen-blends. Linen helps you stay cool in the heat, but wearing it also means that you have to be ok with a few wrinkles. For a more polished look that still let’s you breath easy, try a linen-blend yarn that plays to the season but won’t get as crumpled up. “We’ve learned linen isn’t the softest thing to wear so by blending it, in our case we mix it with viscose, the fabric is more wearable and comfortable,” says John. Thankfully, Line offers up a 10-piece linen-blend collection made up of on-trend, muted hues.
You’ll hardly break a sweat or see a wrinkle with a linen-blend sweater like LINE’s Gavin style.
4. Test out a sleeveless tunic. A big trend for spring, the tunic is slimming, while being amazingly comfortable to wear. LINE’s version offers side slits to provide movement and avoid bunching. “With this thicker knit I wouldn’t recommend layering it. A tunic length helps elongate and extend the line of your body. By putting anything overtop or under, that line is broken up, cutting your length in half—and you don’t want that,” says John.
LINE’s seasonal must-have, a sleeveless tunic, is also slimming. Whoop-whoop.
Me, trying on the Lowe tunic in the showroom. Obviously I wasn’t listening when John reco’d to wear the tunic solo, however I’m wearing a body hugging top that’s just like a second skin.
5. Invest in a silky coat. The lighter and more moveable the fabric, the more you can layer without adding bulk. John recommends a style like the classic trench. “I consider it an investment piece especially if it’s lightweight and silky, which means you’ll get more wear out of it in the spring and summer.” LINE’s upscale take on the trench is made of floaty silk, but they know that it’s not practical for everyone, and created another version made of washable Tencel, which is just as floaty and gorgeous.
LINE’s light-as-a-feather Julia trench elevates any look from ho-hum to so-chic, even if you layer it over basic leggings and a tee.
Here’s your chance to win a look from Line the Label
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Contest closes on Friday June 3, 2016 at 6pm EST. For full contest details, click here.