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I can’t tell you how much I adore this sweater! I saw it in the Venus catalog a month or two ago and agonized over whether to buy it. The color is called “Black Iris.” It looked black in the catalog, but blue on the Web site. I ended up e-mailing Venus to inquire as to the actual color, and they confirmed it was deep, dark blue. I was afraid it might look strange, wearing such a dark blue with black. I ordered it anyway, fell in love with it at first sight, and have been waiting not-so-patiently for a cold enough day to wear it! It’s still available on the Venus site, and it also comes in a light grey.
The sleeves are just amazing and defy description. Just look at the close-up photos! And the cute gathered neckline is created with a long strip that you pull tight and tie into a bow. It creates a very flattering silhouette, and is so feminine!
The only down side to this sweater is it itches like crazy! I have somewhat sensitive skin, but usually don’t have issues with anything other than wool (And tags. All of my tags get removed promptly or they drive me nuts!). This is polyester, but something about the way it is knit makes it horrible against my skin. Here, I have a long-sleeve jersey knit top underneath. Problem solved, but it’s a very warm combo so there won’t be many SoCal days when I can pull this off.
Do you guys find that certain fabrics irritate your skin?
First time commenting…sorry it's under anon. The sweater is lovely, unique sleeves do it for me every time. Maybe you could try a long sleeve chiffon or lace blouse for warmer weather. Tasha
The sweater looks amazing,I really like the color shade.
What an amazing sweater! I love the cut, something I've never seen before!I have a gorgeous knit top in angora and wool but it is so itchy It's impossible to wear even with jersey top underneath. Otherwise I do love wool sweaters if I have something else under, it keeps me warm in this cold climate.
Wow, what a unique color and style!
Tasha, all comments are welcome, even as Anon.
I love your suggestion, and I might have just the right lace blouse to try with the sweater. Thanks for the ideas!!MissVermilion, I love the color, too. I really hesitated when they said it was a dark blue, as that's not usually one of my go-to colors. I'm so glad I went for it.linnea-maria, isn't it awesome? It hangs so nicely gathered up in front like that. Surprisingly creative for Venus, which specializes in very trendy styles! I also had an angora sweater that itched too bad to wear even with a lining. It's sitting in the charity pile right now, breaking my heart!!!Hexotica, it is a bit different, isn't it? So glad I ordered it.
I've seen that neckline somewhere… there's a tee-shirt DIY hack that winds up looking like that out in the internet sea. Not that you seem like a tee-shirt girl, but you could probably MacGyver a non-itchy summer version, minus the sleeves. I always marvel at that sort of basketweave gathering.
The blue looks lovely with black. I've ordered polyester sweaters that turned out to be super itchy. I don't like crisp or stiff fabrics. They don't irritate my skin, just my mood.
I feel too confined.
Agreed, this sweater is amazing and the color is pretty as well, it doesn't look strange with black at all. ^^ My skin can't stand knitted wool and polyester either, so I suspect, there will be something with the knitting, maybe they add some other, too crips ang rough threads, I don't know…
That's it! I'm officially going to raid your wardrobe. That sweater is one of my favorite things you've featured! I can't even wrap my head around those gorgeous sleeves! WOWZA!
Fwaaaah that is quite a dashing sweater. I keep forgetting you're on the lovely west coast, so indeed, it can become a challenge to wear layers for a whole day. But if you have to, wearing something like this is a winner~! ^_^I'm pretty thick skinned, methinks, but unfortunately not… "smooth" I suppose. That is to say, when I wear the one pair of leggings the mother-person bought for me, it's only irritating because it catches and pulls on my leg[hairs]. I feel sympathy for those who have skin afflictions to certain fabrics though, it probably makes average every day dressing [let alone particular styles] an ordeal.
The sleeves do really work. The make me thing about Italian Renaissance <3
Tante, that sounds intriguing. I'll be on the lookout for that tutorial!Bane, lol! That makes sense. Sometimes I like a crisp blazer, but sometimes not. Definitely have to be in just the right mood!Le Professeur, keep your hands off of my wardrobe! ;-DLynoire, thanks! I'm glad you like the combo. It's sorta unfair that wool doesn't agree with some of us, isn't it?Sire Isaak, I know what you mean… When I am between waxes, tights can get itchy. Luckily, my skin isn't *super* sensitive. I once saw a girl on TV who had a hypersensitivity issue and it hurt her skin even when the wind blew. I guess an itchy sweater isn't so worth complaining about when it's put into perspective.
Violette, they do have that look to them, a bit! Good eye. 
Sometimes I wish puffy sleeves would look this nice on me…But I have wide shoulders, so it's a big fashon NONO for me.I also like the dark red nailpolish.
That's a beautiful and very unique sweater and it looks great with the outfit!
Goth Mary Poppins, have you tried puffy sleeves? I break all the fashion rules (like no long skirts for short girls) and sometimes it actually really works. Kamyria, thank you! I am so in love with this sweater, although I still do wish it also came in black.
Great sweater! So glad you bought it and took the chance – it is a total WIN!I'm super sensitive(and allergic) to anything with animal fibers – so no wool, angora or cashmere for me! Sometimes I miss out on really cute items because of a 5% wool content!
Found the tutorial!http://www.cutoutandkeep.net/projects/tshirt_shrug
I think the colour is great, and looks beautiful with black
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