A Letter From Rose
For Every Woman Who Would Rather Not Wear a Dress
Soft velvet, a poncho that covers what you'd like covered, and pants that don't cling. Here's why the Monica set won us both over.
Every holiday season, a quiet confession comes up in our boutique more often than you'd think: "I just don't feel comfortable in dresses anymore."
Some women don't like their legs. Some are always cold. Some are simply tired of tugging at a hem all evening. So they end up wearing the same black trousers and a nice top to every dinner and every party, and they never quite feel dressed up.
I think that's a shame. You shouldn't have to choose between being comfortable and looking elegant.
I want to be honest with you: I didn't design the Monica. Olivia and I started out as fashion designers in Italy, but these days we hand-pick the pieces for our boutique. After a lifetime in fashion, I can tell within seconds whether a piece is made with care, and most go straight back.
The Monica is a two-piece velvet set, and when it arrived, Olivia and I both said the same thing at the same moment: this is the answer for every woman who doesn't want to wear a dress. Here's why.
Dressed up, without wearing a dress
The Monica is a matching set: a draped velvet poncho top and wide-leg velvet pants in the same color. You put it on and you're dressed, head to toe. No dress, no figuring out what goes with what, and you still look ready for a dinner or a party.
★★★★★"I've never been comfortable wearing dresses, especially at my age. This set is exactly what I've been looking for! It looks so elegant for dinners and special occasions, but I get to wear pants. And I love not having to figure out what goes together."
Marianne C., Williamsburg, VA
It covers your tummy, hips and upper arms
This is what Olivia checked first. The poncho falls loosely over the body and gently covers the tummy, the hips and the upper arms. At the sides it drapes into soft points, so it moves when you walk and never looks like a shapeless sack.
★★★★★"I'm 63 and prefer clothes that don't cling around my tummy or upper arms. The poncho falls so beautifully over those areas without making me look shapeless. I feel covered, comfortable, and still very feminine."
Claudette R., Santa Barbara, CA
See if your size is still available →
A soft neckline that never feels tight
Many of us love the look of a turtleneck but can't stand anything tight around the neck. The Monica has a soft cowl neck that folds over itself and frames your face, without that closed-in feeling.
★★★★★"I love the look of turtlenecks, but I can't stand anything tight around my neck anymore. The soft, draped neckline on this top is wonderful. It looks sophisticated and frames my face beautifully without that uncomfortable, restricted feeling."
Janice L., Chattanooga, TN
Pants that don't cling to your thighs
Dressy pants are so often either too tight or too plain. The Monica's wide legs fall straight down from the hips to the floor, so nothing clings to your thighs. Together with the poncho, the whole outfit moves gracefully every time you take a step.
★★★★★"Finding dressy pants that flatter my legs has always been a struggle. I love how the wide legs fall straight down instead of hugging my thighs. The whole outfit moves so gracefully when I walk, and I feel much more confident wearing it."
Roberta M., Wichita, KS
Comfortable enough to wear all evening
The soft velvet feels lovely against the skin, and nothing pinches or pulls. You can sit, walk and enjoy dinner without adjusting your outfit every five minutes. It feels almost like loungewear, but it looks like evening wear.
★★★★★"I'm 67 and have reached the point where I refuse to be uncomfortable just to look nice. The velvet feels wonderfully soft, and I can sit, walk, and enjoy dinner without constantly adjusting my outfit. It feels almost like loungewear, but looks so elegant!"
Esther B., Newport, RI
Two pieces you can wear separately too
Wear the poncho with your favorite jeans for lunch, or the velvet pants with a simple sweater. We carry the Monica from XS all the way to 3XL, in navy blue, brown and white. My advice: check the size chart before you order. And if it isn't right, you have 30 days to send it back.
★★★★"I was hesitant about ordering a two-piece outfit online, but the size guide helped me choose. I love that I can wear the poncho with jeans for a casual lunch or pair the velvet pants with a simple sweater. It feels like getting several outfits in one!"
Pamela D., Fort Collins, CO
The Monica, against the outfits you usually find
Why it's only $79.95 right now
After nearly 45 years in America, Olivia and I have decided it's time to retire from the boutique and spend more time with our husbands, our children and our grandchildren here in Florida.
The Monica is part of our final collection. When a size or color is gone, we won't be restocking it. So instead of carrying it into another season, we're saying goodbye to it with our Retirement Sale.
Monica | Velvet Poncho & Pants Set
$159.95$79.95Retirement Sale, Save 50%
- Two-piece set: velvet poncho and wide-leg pants
- Covers the tummy, hips and upper arms
- Soft draped cowl neck
- Navy blue, brown or white
Sizes XS to 3XL · Free UPS shipping · 30-day money-back guarantee
See if your size is still available →Buy 2, get an extra 10% off · Buy 3, get 15% · Buy 4 or more, get 20%. Applied automatically at checkout.
Our Retirement Sale is coming to an end.
Buy 2 get 10%, buy 3 get 15%, buy 4 or more get an extra 20% off. When your size is gone, it's gone.
I don't usually write letters like this. But after a lifetime in fashion, I know when a piece is worth telling you about. If you've stopped feeling dressed up because you'd rather not wear a dress, I hope you find your size in the Monica before it's gone.
Thank you for giving two Italian sisters a home, a community and a lifetime of memories here in Florida.
With love, Rose 🤍
See the Monica →