Nostalgia reigns in the fashion world--anytime we look forward, we're also reflecting back. There's a reason why we still raid our mother's and grandmother's closets--nothing ever truly goes out of style if you wait long enough!

Right now the fashion world is experiencing a resurgence of all things 60s. Blame shows like Mad Men, Pan Am, American Horror Story; they all celebrate the era through interior design, art, and, of course, clothing. Ask anyone what they thought of wearing granny squares just a few years back, and they would probably scoff, but now even major fashion labels like House of Holland and Romance Was Born are celebrating the classic crochet motif--even the always chic Cate Blanchett was seen in a granny square dress.

The MARIE CLAIRE TUNIC in COTTON CLASSIC and COTTON CLASSIC LITE plays on the 60s theme of a granny square tunic, but changes it just enough to bring it firmly into the present. Featured in this year's issue of Vogue Knitting Crochet for its fabulous, fashion-forward design, the bodice is worked in a simple, solid crochet, while the sleeves and lower body feature a tiled, blue ombré motif. Definitely not your granny's granny square, these gorgeous motifs are joined together by delicate, floral-inspired crochet stitches that give the center, circular panels a sense of weightlessness, as if they were floating in the finished fabric. This is a perfect summer tunic, great for shorts or a long, hippie skirt, fabulously light and airy and stylish for the warm Summer season. Best of all, COTTON CLASSIC and COTTON CLASSIC LITE offer very wide color selections, so get ready to really play with your color choices. Go for a similar ombré in pinks and oranges for a hot Summer item, or if you really want the 60s effect, try some contrasting, highly-pigmented pop colors--the possibilities are endless!

DESIGN NOTE: The solid bodice of the MARIE CLAIRE TUNIC is crocheted in COTTON CLASSIC, while the lower motifs are crocheted in COTTON CLASSIC LITE. This creates a sturdy top and a lightweight bottom half, which will not be so heavy as to stretch out the garment.

DESIGNER QUOTE: "The '60s are alive and well in fashion, and I love the idea of taking crochet motifs, which are so often relegated to things like afghans and pillows, and making them wearable and chic in a fabulous tunic like MARIE CLAIRE."-- Shannon Mullet-Bowlsby

The MARIE CLAIRE TUNIC is in the CROCHET COLLECTION available at your LYS and online now.