One Linen Shirt, Five Looks
A hard working wardrobe staple.
There’s one shirt that I’ve been wearing a LOT this summer. It’s the Faye shirt from DL1961*, a white, lightweight 100% linen shirt with a longer rounded hem at the back. It has a relaxed fit so I opted for a size small, which is just the right amount of oversized without it slipping off my shoulders or being too long on the sleeves.
I hate to sound like a typical Brit and moan about the weather but this summer has seen us move between super hot days, humid days, thunderstorm days and downright cold and wet days. This shirt has been there for them all. It’s loose and cool enough for those hot days when you want to protect your skin from the sun, easy to wear with trousers, and perfectly layer-able when you need to pair it with some warmer pieces. Below are five ways I’ve been wearing it, in all kinds of weather.
Balloon Trousers
I always get questions about these trousers but unfortunately, they were a sale buy from a few seasons ago and I haven’t been able to find them anywhere since. If you’re a Studio Nicholson fan, I highly recommend subscribing to their emails to get first dibs on sale pieces - they often do an extra 20% off a couple of weeks into the sale too, so that’s worth looking out for. These trousers have an incredibly unique silhouette, adding a bit more shape to a simple linen shirt. I’ve worn them here with chunky Beaumont Organic sandals that were kindly gifted by Young British Designers. They’re true to size with a Velcro strap fastening and very comfortable to walk around in.
Shorts and Sandals
I’ll be honest, I normally avoid shorts. I struggle to find pairs that are flattering and British summers don’t exactly call for bare legs very often. But I’ve found that pairing shorts with a relaxed-fit shirt makes all the difference. The long sleeves and longer hem balance out the bare leg so you don’t want to feel too exposed and the loose fit adds a bit more movement to the outfit.
These organic cotton Rapanui shorts* are loose around the leg, which helps too. Rapanui is a new find for me and one with a great, sustainable ethos. It’s a British brand that makes all its pieces using natural materials and renewable energy. Once their pieces are worn out, you can send them back to their Isle of Wight base where they’ll recycle the material and create something new.
Jacket and Linen Trousers
This is a look that I’ve been wearing quite a lot this summer. It’s perfect for the days that are a bit cold but put a coat on and you’ll be sweating within a few minutes. This jacket is a thick cotton, so it’s the kind of piece I can wear indoors as a top and outdoors as an outer layer. The white linen shirt is a nice contrast as it breaks up the dark colours of the jacket and trousers - plus it adds another length to the look.
Shorts and Trainers
Ok, I know I mentioned earlier that I don’t wear shorts but the long-shirt-meets-short-shorts look has been a bit of a revelation for me. These shorts are organic cotton with an elasticated waist so they’re ridiculously comfortable to wear - a bit like popping pyjamas on, in a good way. They’re a deep paprika shade which adds a rich contrast to the white shirt. I’ve been wearing this with trainers as an alternative to sandals and for a more of a sports-inspired look.
Loose Tailored Trousers
This is a slightly more polished look for the days when I want to look a bit smarter - ideal if you work in an office but don’t like to look too ‘corporate’. These trousers are vintage (similar here) and are made from a wonderful light silk, so they’re great to wear in summer. I’ve loosely tucked the shirt in at the front and at the back, leaving some of the fabric out at the sides so it looks more relaxed than tucking it all the way in would.
More Linen Shirts…
N.B. Any items marked with * have been kindly gifted by brands. All thoughts, picks and reviews are my own.
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