A Letter From Rose
The Knit Jacket I Thought Was Too Bold for Women Our Age
Black leather trim and metallic buttons after sixty? I had my doubts. Here's why the Olivia jacket changed my mind.
Every autumn, the same thing happens in our boutique. A woman picks up a cardigan, holds it against herself in the mirror and puts it back. "Too plain," she says. Or: "That's for someone half my age."
And she's right. Most cardigans for women our age are either shapeless and gray in the dull way, the kind you only wear around the house, or so trendy you feel like you're borrowing your granddaughter's clothes. The heavy coats are no better: too warm for a Florida evening and too bulky for a simple dinner out.
I don't think we should have to choose between invisible and trying too hard. There is a lot of room in between, and that's where the nicest pieces are.
Two sisters, one little boutique
Olivia and I grew up near Lake Como, where our grandmother taught us to look at clothes the way you look at something you plan to keep for years: the fabric, the seams, the way it moves when you walk. We both became fashion designers in Italy, and nearly 45 years ago we followed our hearts to Florida and opened our boutique.
Since then, so many women have come through our door telling us the same thing: "Nothing is made for me anymore." Too young, too tight, or so plain you feel invisible. Finding the pieces that are made for the women we actually know, women in their sixties and seventies with full lives, became our life's work.
Every piece has to pass two tests
I want to be honest with you: I didn't design this jacket, even if it carries my sister's name. These days Olivia and I hand-pick the pieces for our boutique, and every one of them has to pass two tests.
Olivia's test is the fit, the fabric and the finish. Is it comfortable, is it made properly, will it still look good after a season of wear? My test is the woman wearing it. Does it flatter her, does it make her feel like herself, and where will she wear it? Most pieces fail one of the two and go straight back.
I'll admit I almost passed on this one. Black leather trim and a row of metallic buttons, for women our age? Then I put it on, and Olivia laughed and said: "Well, now it has to be called after me." Here's why it passed both tests.
Oversized but surprisingly flattering
I know the worry, because I have it too: oversized often just means bigger. But this jacket has a relaxed, easy drape, and the hem dips into soft points at the sides. Those points fall over the hips and draw the eye down in a long line, so you look comfortable and put together, not swallowed up.
★★★★★"I'm 64 and usually avoid oversized cardigans because I'm afraid they'll make me look bigger. But the pointed hem falls so beautifully over my hips, and the loose shape doesn't make me feel swallowed up. It's comfortable and still looks elegant!"
Edith K., Milford, CT
Stylish without looking too young
This is my part. The stand collar and the wide cuffs are trimmed in sleek black faux leather, and the jacket closes with a row of metallic buttons that runs down the front slightly to one side. It has a little edge, but it is grown-up and elegant. It looks like you chose it, not like you're trying to be younger than you are.
★★★★★"At 68, I wasn't sure whether the leather details and unusual buttons would suit me. But they give the cardigan such a sophisticated look. My daughter complimented me the first time I wore it! It's lovely to wear something different without feeling like I'm trying to dress younger."
Veronica B., Bozeman, MT
See if your size is still available →
Beautiful knit that feels lovely
This is what Olivia checked first. The jacket is made in a warm, textured ribbed knit, and it falls softly instead of standing stiff. That ribbing is what gives it depth, so the gray never looks flat or dull.
★★★★★"I've ordered knitted cardigans online before that looked beautiful but felt rough and cheap. This one has such a lovely ribbed texture and feels comfortable against my skin. The fabric falls naturally instead of looking stiff. Very pleased with the quality!"
Bernice L., Canton, GA
Perfect as a little jacket
Here in Florida we rarely need a real coat, but the evenings do get cooler. This is the piece you throw over a blouse when the restaurant has the air conditioning on, or over a sweater when you visit the family up north. Light enough to carry, warm enough to make a difference.
★★★★★"I wanted something I could throw on over a blouse for cooler evenings without needing a heavy coat. This cardigan works beautifully for that. I've worn it over a sweater when visiting family up north, and it makes a lovely extra layer."
Doreen V., Naples, FL
Goes with so many outfits
Wear it with black trousers and boots for a dinner out, with your favorite jeans for coffee with friends, or over a simple dress. Because the knit is a soft gray and the trim is black, it goes with almost everything already in your closet, and the leather details make even a casual outfit look finished.
★★★★★"I love pieces that I can wear more than one way. This looks lovely with black trousers for dinner, but I've also worn it with jeans and over a simple dress. The black collar and cuffs make even a casual outfit look more polished."
Marietta H., Lawrenceville, GA
Glad I checked the measurements
We carry the Olivia jacket from XS all the way to 3XL. Because it is meant to fall loose and relaxed, my advice is to check the size chart before you order and go by your measurements rather than your usual size. And if it isn't right, you have 30 days to send it back.
★★★★"I'm 62 and usually fall between a large and extra-large, so oversized styles can be tricky to order online. I followed the size chart and was pleased with the fit. It's roomy without feeling too big, and the longer sides cover my hips beautifully."
Lucinda P., Rapid City, SD
The Olivia jacket, against the cardigans you usually find
Why it's only $59.95 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 Olivia jacket is part of our final collection. When a size 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.
Olivia | Stylish Faux Leather Knit Cardigan Jacket
$119.95$59.95Retirement Sale, Save 50%
- Relaxed drape with a flattering pointed hem
- Black faux leather collar and cuffs
- Asymmetrical placket with metallic buttons
- Warm, textured ribbed knit
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 been putting cardigans back on the rack because they were too plain or too young, I hope you find your size 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 Olivia jacket →