Stripes.  Everyone loves a good stripe.   After years in the industry, I know that designing stripes isn’t hard, but designing great ones is.  Thankfully, two ex-Vogue editors, Meredith Melling and Valerie Boster, and former Rag & Bone alumna, Molly Howard, had the brilliant idea to make stripes the focus of their new business with the launch of La Ligne.  Whether it is an overt stripe layout on a french inspired marinière tee or a subtle ringer around the neck of a sweater, it is clear that these are stripes you will want to wear.

This new direct-to-consumer brand (in the same vein as Everlane), which launched yesterday, has two product line offerings: The Essentials and Edition.  The Essentials, available year round, are made up of those perfect wardrobe basics that you always need and constantly reach for in your closet.  But, even these essentials are total standouts.  The Edition pieces are the more fashion-forward items, released twice a year.

I love knowing that now I can always find that perfect stripe sweater or tee on La Ligne’s site (p.s. the site is beautifully designed and has interactive elements).  With it’s cool yet classic sensibility, Ligne is taking the guess work out of finding which brand hit the nail on the head for the perfect stripe pieces each season.

As if we didn’t already know it, stripes are clearly here to stay.

All photos via lalignenyc.com.

Before I had my daughter, I spent 10 years in apparel merchandising.  And it’s true: even a little retail gets into your blood.  I still love staying up-to-date on what is happening in the retail world and seeing how it is moving forward and evolving.  Or, not…  While the big brands continue to do business as usual, there are a handful of new, small, innovative brands making some noise in the business.  One of my favorites is Everlane.  It provides direct to consumer product online, cutting out middlemen and a lot of store overhead.  In return, you, the consumer, don’t necessarily get cheaper product, but product that is well-designed, made from better materials and made in quality factories.  You are getting MORE for your money.

Everlane isn’t new, but they just launched their Mini-Collection, which should have moms everywhere excited.  Now, you and your little one can both wear cool clothes without the sequins and tulle and terrible graphics that so many child brands have, sadly, turned to.  There are great basics to refresh your wardrobe, all in modern silhouettes.  It makes dressing uncomplicated.

Here are some of my favorites Everlane items for mom:

*All photos via Everlane