MARLENE | Deep V-neck with a ruched waist

The gathering at the waist does what a flat panel never could. It gives the fabric somewhere to go.

A smooth fitted top has no forgiveness in it. Flat fabric across the middle shows the outline of everything underneath, which is why so many of us have quietly moved to loose and stayed there, and why a defined waist has come to feel like something other people get to have.

Marlene handles it with ruching. Soft gathering draws the fabric in at the waist, and because gathered fabric is folded rather than flat, it breaks up the surface instead of lying against you, so the shape is there without the outline. The deep V-neckline lengthens the line from the shoulder down, and the long sleeves flow rather than fit, which balances the narrower middle.

Why women our age keep coming back to it

• Gathered fabric does not lie flat. The ruching folds the material at the waist, so it defines the shape without tracing what is underneath.
• The sleeves balance the middle. Soft flowing sleeves add width at the arm, which is what keeps a defined waist from reading as tight.
• A long vertical line at the front. The deep V draws down from the shoulder rather than cutting across, which lengthens the whole upper half.
• Seventeen colorways. Plain black, white, khaki, burgundy and more, plus a set of printed and patterned-sleeve versions if you want the top to carry the outfit.

Buy more, save more

• Buy 2 and save 10 percent
• Buy 3 and save 15 percent
• Buy 4 and save 20 percent

The discount is applied automatically at checkout.

How it fits

Marlene is true to size, in S through 2XL. The V is a deep one, so if you prefer a higher front this is worth knowing before you order rather than after. If you are between two sizes, take the larger one, because the ruching needs slack to gather properly and a tight size pulls it flat. The size chart lists chest, length and sleeve in inches, measured flat.

30 days to change your mind

Send it back within 30 days for a full refund. There is no restocking fee and no questions about why.

A few recent reviews

It is a deep V. I wear a small camisole with it and it still looks like one piece.
Zula B., Tempe

The ruching is the reason. I have not worn anything fitted through the waist in ten years.
Vernie R., 63

Bought the burgundy for the office and the sky blue after.
Dessie M., Boise