Maven recommends: Pari Desai for lovely summer knits

Good afternoon, friends. It's a beautiful day in New York though my allergies are positively on fleek. I can't.

So as the temperature rises and Summer is on its way, thoughts of wardrobe are swirling around my brain. And as the days get longer, I can't help but crave feminine, more bohemian clothes that have charm and a bit of the handmade aesthetic I adore for warm days and nights by the beach.

So I was thrilled to discover the genius crocheted knits of Pari Desai, who was trained as a milliner and ended up being the in-house designer at one of the last knitting factories in America. She was also designer at TSE, Calvin Klein, and ALC before she launched her own line in 2014. I found this fabulous crocheted dress above on a recent scavenge in No. 6- a favorite Nolita haunt of mine for clogs and great pieces that are unique and more artful than all of that fast fashion out there. I adore this dress with its high slits to wear with white Birks or said clogs, and to put with a flared, cropped jean for chilly evenings. It's such a fabulous piece, and looking on her site, there's much to love. Love the sweater vests at the top of this piece with wide legged trousers and a sandal. Very chic. 

I adore a sweater dress, even though you would think in the heat it would be the last thing you want- this is a lightweight knit that breathes- and I find something about a knit dress flattering on most body types if it's cut properly. So why not think about this great line for all of your knit-like needs this Summer? 

And that's what's up this handmade Wednesday in the 718. Yours, in stitching it up. Link to her site here. XO