Boston - February 05, 2007

The Long and Short of It

Du Pret Cashmere

You’re well aware of the New England fashion code: Wearing an especially energetic plaid might get you kicked out of some circles.

Francesca Mills was raised on this, having spent summers in Newport and college at Boston College. But the Elle style editor has since ditched the khakis and roll-neck look for her own line of knits.

Mills and partner Isabel Dupre (Elle’s style director) have just debuted Du Pret Cashmere, a luscious, body-conscious collection of featherweight silk and cashmere pieces with sailboat and anchor intarsia.

There are three styles — long and lean boat-neck sweater, racer-back tank, cropped cardi — and they all layer smoothly over and under your old-time favorites. So you can work one into your own style.

No matter which circle you travel in.

Available at Dress, 221 Newbury Street, Back Bay (617-424-7125). To see styles, go to dupretcashmere.com.