Summer linen tops are practical and super easy to style in the hot, sticky months. They are perfect for when you need a fail-safe way to get dressed. Read below for all my tips on how to wear linen this summer!
Linen is the ultimate summer fabric. Not only is it cooling and breathable, but it also looks great and is easy to wash. I find having a collection of summer tops in my wardrobe useful. Then, depending on the weather, I can pair them with jeans, shorts, or a skirt.
The linen summer top pictured above is big and floaty, but I prefer to style it tucked in. It still has a romantic billowy look without being so big it takes over the whole outfit. This is the older version of the top, which is from Magic Linen. The new version has neater straps, they are still adjustable but without the tie over the shoulder detail.
Linen is that wrinkly fabric that is great for creating a casual look.
However, it is so much more than that!
It’s so comfy to wear, getting softer with each wash. It’s breathable, keeping the body cool while retaining heat when the temperature drops. It has excellent airflow, making it great for bed linen in warmer months. 100% flax linen is a natural fabric that is environmentally friendly and sustainable. It comes from the flax plant and is biodegradable while still lasting for years in the wardrobe.
No flax linen isn’t itchy. However, if washed at a high temperature, it might become stiff, which feels rougher on the skin. Giving it a blast in the tumble dryer or an iron should help with this.
Linen is a very strong fabric, so it is hard to go wrong! Pop it in the washing machine with similar colours, and it comes out like new. As with any fabric, it’s best to keep the temperature lower; it will prolong it further in the long run. However, linen is low maintenance, both in wearing and laundering! (If this is helpful, you might like more laundry tips.)
It’s totally up to you. My rule is to iron linen clothes and leave linen bedding natural. It’s easy to iron; the fabric can tolerate a high heat. Ironing keeps your summer linen tops looking fresh! It’s also possible to dry the linen flat, this means it is still wearable while not being too wrinkly. Although saying that, it is accepted that linen is a wrinkly fabric and it looks good that way.
Flax linen is wrinkle free up to a point if it’s ironed; however, for a totally flat finish, it’s usually mixed with another fabric, such as cotton, wool or silk.
I find linen looks less frumpy when paired with a more structured fabric or shoe or if the top is tucked into trousers, a skirt, shorts, etc. Adding jewellery, a bag or a jacket and layering with pieces all add to a less frumpy look.
Linen can be dressy or casual. It really depends on the piece itself and how it’s styled.
If it’s coloured linen, wear the usual underwear. If it’s white, take care, as it might not be opaque! On this occasion, nude underwear is your best bet.
Linen is becoming increasingly popular, especially as a summer fabric and an alternative to cotton bedding, which could increase the price. It’s also labour intensive, which makes it more expensive. In this case, it pays to buy from sustainable brands to ensure those workers are paid a living wage. Below are five brands that I trust are doing that.
This is the same top that I’m wearing in the first photo, but it’s the updated version! It has adjustable ties, which I love! It comes in three colours and sizes, XS to XXL. I think I’m wearing the small, and I probably could have sized down; it’s definitely an oversized fit.
This beautifully simple summer linen top is available in many different colours. The sizes run from small to extra large, and it’s cut and sewn in Lithuania. Love and Confuse have lots of different designs and are sold on Etsy.
I love a shirt to throw on when it gets slightly cooler in the summer. This one has an asymmetrical hem and has sixteen different colours to choose from. Sizing is from XS to XXXL with the option of custom made too. It’s styled as a tunic in the image but would look great on its own as a summer dress too.
Looking at this top, I feel a bit of ballet class nostalgia. It turns out I prefer getting dressed for ballet more than actually dancing! This top comes in a wide variety of colours, and the sizing ranges from XXS to 4XL. It would look great with jeans or a skirt. Pavietra also have a longer linen wrap top which is lovely as well as the linen dress version too.
A simple linen shirt can be styled in a multitude of different ways. From underneath a jumper on cooler days to over the top of a bikini on the beach or by the pool. The boyfriend shirt from With Nothing Underneath fits the bill perfectly. I’m currently coveting the navy blue and white versions. For a similar designs, Everlane’s linen shirt collection is hard to beat.
you might also like:
18 Beautiful Winter Linen Dresses
18 Beautiful Autumn Linen Dresses
20 Beautiful Spring Linen Dresses
20 Beautiful Summer Linen Dresses
Subscribe to my Substack Newsletter for more sustainable tips, or follow me on Instagram.
Latest Instagram
thegreenedition
About Me
The Green Edition is a journey to help slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life. With tips for shopping more consciously and simplifying your life.
About Me
The Green Edition is a journey to help slow down and appreciate the smaller things in life. With tips for shopping more consciously and simplifying your life.