Summertime, and the Linen Is Easy: 3 Outfit Ideas
Summertime, and the linen is easy. 🎵 It’s warmed up quite a bit in the last few days, and I’ve been reaching for my favorite linen pieces on repeat. Linen has always been my warm-weather workhorse: it breathes, it layers well, and the relaxed drape suits the way I like to dress now. Yes, it wrinkles — I’ve made my peace with that, and consider a few creases part of its charm. Here are three recent linen outfits, from bright color-blocking to easy summer neutrals.
Chartreuse + Navy: A Favorite Color Combination
My sizes: Shirt – XS, Pants – Petite S
Navy with bright chartreuse or lime green is one of my favorite color combos. Navy grounds a bright like chartreuse so it feels wearable rather than loud. Both of these pieces are from Eileen Fisher; the shirt is from last year but still available in a few sizes & colors here (runs large, size down). And the pants are from a prior season, some sizes still available here, similar style here. (The color reads more purplish in the photos, but they’re on the dark end of a true navy.)
Summer Neutrals: Crochet + Linen
Tonal dressing is my low-effort way to feel quietly put-together without a lot of fuss. To keep it from falling flat, mix textures — here, the open crochet against smooth linen. The crochet top is rag & bone from last year, here’s one with a similar look (also 100% cotton). I really like the stitched front seam and dropped pockets on these budget-friendly linen pants. (Several colors available.)
Those funky and very comfortable slingback flats are a new-to-me brand, Forever and Always. They run true-to-size, and are available in several colors. I’ve worn them right out of the box for hours with no issues. (This is the Cognac color, which is a little darker than it appears in this photo, but lighter than the product images online.)
Creamsicle Orange + Easy Denim
My sizes: Shirt – XS, Jeans – 27
I love the “Creamsicle” orange of this linen shirt, which is currently on sale. (Also available in white, lemon yellow, icy pink and rose madder.) These Miramar knit jeans are lightweight and comfortable even on very warm days. The cute raffia tote from Eric Javits (gifted) also comes with a crossbody strap, and is a nice size for the essentials (phone, wallet, keys, small cosmetics pouch). 👉 Use code SUSANB10 to save 10% at Eric Javits.
All three of these outfits follow the same loose formula: one linen piece as the anchor, a texture or color for interest, and comfortable flats that can go the distance. Do you wear linen in the summer, or does the wrinkle factor put you off? I’d love to hear your favorite warm-weather fabrics in the comments.
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Love all three of these outfits, especially the chartreuse and navy, one of my favorite color combo’s.
Thanks, Jan!
I love chartreuse, but have had a hard time finding anything in it online! I have looked at the pieces on the Nordstrom Rack site, but there is nothing that will work for me. Help, please!
Missourian here, and you bet it’s linen season, wearing an outfit similar to your top one weekly at least! I have a story to share about how a chartreuse/blue color combo was a pivotal moment in solidifying seasonal color dressing for me. I was shopping at J Crew and purchased three items: a chartreuse (“bright kiwi”) and white striped shirt, white jeans and a royal blue cashmere cardigan. The clerk folded them up in a stack. I could see how the colors went together, were the same intensity and had great contrast. I thought, “That’s an outfit!” I had not purchased the items to wear together. As a visual person it struck me that getting my wardrobe to my seasonal colors (winter) meant everything would go together. And three years later that has come to fruition. Some people think seasonal dressing is limiting, but I find it liberating!
Shari – I am also a convert (9 years and FREE!) to dressing in MY best colors (autumn)… it makes the ‘overwhelm’ manageable, and my focus can be on the color palette that makes me SHINE! 100%
I love linen! I’ve read that EF actually puts her linen pieces in the dryer because she likes the softness that the dryer creates. Do you do that too Susan? I still iron mine (if you can believe it). EF is now making sweatshirt jeans (à la Rag & Bone) in 3 different styles–I’m trying the pull on style because they’re full length. I wish I had gotten the EF chartreuse shirt when I had the chance. Great posting as always! Thanks Susan! You look wonderful as ever!
Hi Sally, thanks and yes I saw that (EF sweatpant jeans), have them on order and will report back soon! I usually line dry my clothes to save energy and help them last longer, and then use a steamer to smooth and soften up. But I have dried my linen items from time to time with no problems.
My absolute favorite linen shirts are the men’s Paradise Breezer shirts by Tommy Bahama. The linen is thick and has a wonderful density to it that makes them extremely comfortable to wear. As they are men’s I have to go up a size or so because of my bustline and am only really wearing them as a loose casual coverup style, but I buy one or two each year to get the best colors.
I find the Tommy Bahama women’s linen pieces are just not the same linen, they are much thinner and they don’t come in the terrific colors the men’s line does. Makes no sense to me, you would think TB would want to have the same fabric available to women but it just is not the same.
HOT? I think you need to do a story on clothes for really hot weather. Like in the 100’s where you can barely leave the house. 104 yesterday. Linen shorts and tops. It must be far cooler where you are that you can wear jeans and a long sleeve blouse. I don’t even care if I look good in this heat wave. 70 degree low at 6 am. Help!
Hi Leslie, it’s true that even when it’s triple digits here, we rarely get the kind of humidity that makes it so unbearable.
Yes, there’s “hot” and then there’s HOT! I put my jeans away in May and get them out again in late October. We do have ferocious air conditioning here (Houston), so if I’m going to be indoors for any length of time, I may wear long linen pants and possibly a light cardigan. Otherwise, it’s loose linen dresses, or shorts and tops. No scarves around the neck, either!
I try to wear only cotton or linen in the scorching summer months…and more dresses than pants. I do have a few dark linen pieces for travel days (Amtrak and cities on the East Coast) and don’t worry about the wrinkles. I do not iron much anymore, rather, hang to dry and “finger press”…However, I DO LOVE to iron my linen tea towels!
That’s so funny. I iron mine, too — as well as both cotton and linen napkins
I have been looking at those Forever and Always sandals since you mentioned them a week ago. Do they fit true to size, and does the insole have any padding?
Hi Cinzia, they do have some padding (though not strong arch support) and run true-to-size.
I love all three of your linen outfits.. Linen, wrinkles and all has a luxurious look and if you know you know! I particularly like the “ shade of the Creamsicle shirt”….
Thanks, Elizabeth! I’ve seen many elegant Europeans in rumpled linen, and love that vibe.
Hi Susan,
Us usual, I love reading your posts and all the information and items you share! Would the chartreuse blouse work for a blue spring? I also love how you combined the chartreuse with the navy pants and the turquoise necklace. They look fabulous on you!
Hi Ann, thanks! I think the chartreuse might be a little too yellow for a Blue Spring. But this “Field” green https://go.shopmy.us/p-72053135 might be lovely for you.
Thanks a lot, Susan! I just ordered it!
Ann
That looks great, Susan!
Thanks!
Ann
I LOVE chartreuse/lime with navy. I started that color combination when I was in grade school (I’m 75). Linen – I’ve come to terms with the wrinkles and find that the darker linens don’t show the wrinkles as easily. Susan, you always show us great ways to think about dressing. Thank you!
How is the quality of the Quince linen pants? How do they wash?
I’ve washed in cold water and line dried. The linen softens up with steaming, and gets a bit softer after a couple of washes.
You look especially fantastic in that first outfit. Very striking. Love your hair as well.
Thanks very much, Jeannine!
I have been buying linen blends this summer: usually about 50% linen plus something synthetic. They look and feel like linen, are just as cool, but wrinkle much less and need little to no ironing. In the excessive heat of this summer they are comfortable even when the temps are in the 90s, and look better at the end of a hot day
i must admit if i never see another item of linen clothing i will be thrilled, particularly in what i have come to call ‘porridge colours’. as a winter they are all hideous on me but also shops in australia have taken to having linen in store all year round. in melbourne we dont have the weather for that and it just feels like laziness. i am off to europe in a few weeks and have managed to find silk shirts and dresses so i can stay well away from linen. having said all that rant you look very nice in yours!
Thanks, and have a great trip!