Friday Treat : Linen Shirts

[unpaid/affiliate] A linen shirt is just a classic wardrobe item – super useful and better understanding and working of the fabric means that they’re not quite so susceptible to looking like a crumpled mess within minutes. Personally, I don’t mind a bit of creasing because it’s not like I’m heading to the boardroom – that kind of immediate lived-in look is perfect for the no-effort but somehow effortless and stylish impression. The one I have my eye on is from M&S – I love the stripe for wearing with jeans, a white sleeveless T and Fitflops and it has a bit of a jacket vibe so is a great anywhere cover up when it’s too hot for jackets or cardis. I’m saying with jeans and and a sleeveless t-shirt for this one but frankly that’s the look I’d wear with all of them. The thing I can’t get to grips with is long sleeves and shorts – you’re never not going to be too hot or too cold somewhere in that arrangement. So, I’m just going to race through keeping in mind that everything looks good with the above suggestion of jeans! My hot tip for linen is to wash and iron it before wearing straight from the shop because the fabric loosens a little to become more soft and slouchy.

This pink linen shirt has a tie-die element that doesn’t show up very well in the picture (and probably why it’s still in stock) but I like it for a variation on the pink theme. It’s currently reduced from £49.99 to £29.99 HERE in all sizes except XL although XXL is available still.

We’re still at GAP for this classic white short sleeved easy-wear for £34.95 (GAP has a 40% off all full-price styles so that would apply to this) that also comes in orange and blue dip dye HERE. All sizes are available at the time of writing.

So this is the one for me I think – a quick roll up of the sleeves and it’s more or less a jacket. It’s £29.99 and also comes in bright blue with stripe and white with stripe HERE. All sizes are still in stock up to size 24.

My favourite shop Uniqlo (although I’m still furious with them for unclear signposting on their new Airism bedding range that’s left me with a fitted sheet and duvet cover in Kingsize that look like they were made for the Jolly Green Giant’s bed they’re so huge and can’t be returned) has a really simple, goes with everything – even skirts and especially maxis – linen mix in black. The mix means these don’t crease in the same way as pure linen and also – £14.90! You can find it HERE in a variety of colours – orange, grey, white, brown (I’m tempted) and green. Sizes range from XS to XXL and vary in stock level across the colours.

I love this version for over a maxi dress because it’s more or less a jacket but default is jeans – obviously! Boxy shapes work for everyone. It’s from Other Stories HERE and is £65. Sizes are XS to L.

In sizes 6-22 is reduced from £55 to £44 – I love the brightness of it although white jeans and me are not friends. You can find it HERE. In the full picture (and video) on the White Stuff site, the model is wearing it with cropped white jeans and it does look lovely.

This apricot version is £19.99 from H&M HERE – buy the white version (sizes M to XL) and dye it whatever colour takes your fancy. I did this in a bright pink with an H&M linen top I bought in the sale and it came out perfectly – I mean you could do it with any white linen but I feel £19.99 is less of a risk if it’s your first time dyeing. Brights are really popular at the moment and all the really full on colours are selling quickly. Just dye your own if you can’t find what you’re looking for.

The main picture is a linen shirt from Mint Velvet at John Lewis – it’s reduced to £55 HERE. It’s a holiday colour but who knows!