Boston - April 24, 2006

Knit Picky

Gretta Label Basics Sweaters

The annals of fashion history have seen many a great stylistic leap. (Togas to trenches. Muumuus to mod. Kimonos to, well, kimonos.)

But no matter how much progress we seem to make, one problem remains: the bulky basic. How in tarnation are you supposed to layer properly (let alone look svelte) with tops as thick as blankets?

Gretchen Monahan solves that very dilemma with her spanking new collection of luxury basics. Years spent buying high-end labels (Chloe, Kors) for her boutique, Gretta Luxe, convinced her that even in the highest echelons of fashion, the world needed a blended knit that was both fitted and flattering.

So she banged out a line of quality, lightweight sweaters (does this chick sleep?) in seasonless neutrals and timeless cuts: creamy-hued shells, taupe boyfriend styles, charmingly detailed black camis, and vintage-inspired V-necks just begging to be topped off with a wide belt.

We’ve come a long way, baby.

Available at Gretta Luxe, 10 Huntington Avenue, Westin Hotel, Copley Place (617-536-1959 or grettastyle.com).