There’s just something special about linen. Not only is it a quality fabric made from natural fibres, but it’s durable, comfortable to wear, and breathable. To top it off, linen has been a style symbol for literally aeons! Those that wear linen, know, if you know what I mean.
Let’s look at the timeless appeal of linen, and in particular, focus on linen tops, which are an optimal fashion choice for spring and summer dressing.
Linen - the timeless choice
Linen is said to have been around since 4000 BCE! Woven from flax, it was woven and traded by the Babylonians and the Egyptians, and linen artefacts include dresses, tunics, and homewares. Even Egyptian mummies were found wrapped in linen fabric!
Linen has continued to be a popular fabric choice over the centuries, probably because it is an accessible fabric to produce. Most recently, linen stands out as a natural fibre choice in a sea of synthetic fibres. Because it’s plant derived, it takes a little more effort to produce, and is therefore now viewed as a premium fabric.
Linen in style
Linen has achieved a permanent position in spring and summer wardrobes, and defies trends. This is because it’s so sought after, and is a high quality material. Basically, linen will always be on trend, and you can’t go wrong if you invest in linen for your wardrobe. With proper care, your linen garments will last you for years, and will soften and become more comfortable the more you wear them.
And the prize for moisture-wicking goes to…drum roll…linen!
Both cotton and linen are popular choices for summer tops, but linen takes the cake when it comes to moisture-wicking. We all perspire in the heat, and we want clothing that draws the moisture away from us, not to us. Linen does the job well. Linen draws sweat from the skin, leaving you feeling dry and comfortable. And because it’s a natural fibre, it doesn’t hold odours the way a synthetic fibre might. Instead, odours are released when washing, leaving you with a fresh linen top to wear next time.
Another really cool attribute to linen is that it’s thermo-regulating. This means the fibres in the linen expand and contract according to the temperature. So when it’s hot, the fibres loosen, allowing the air to flow, and when it’s cold, the fibres contract, meaning you stay warm.
Oh, and let’s not forget that linen is an environmentally-sustainable fabric. The flax plant is easy to cultivate and requires little water and no pesticides. Additionally, all the parts of the plant can be used after it’s harvested, so there’s little waste involved. That’s an A+ for linen!
Women’s linen tops
Now let’s get onto the subject of linen tops. By now you should appreciate how great linen is, so it makes sense that it’s a popular fabric for women’s tops. Linen tops are great in the heat, as they keep the sweat away from the body. They also look inherently classy! So adding one or many linen tops to your wardrobe this season is a great idea.
Here are some styling ideas for your linen tops.
Styling Linen Tops for Every Occasion
You can wear linen to most occasions, with the exception perhaps of formal evening events, (but who’s going to stop you?). Here are some ideas for styling your linen tops with spring and summer outfits.
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Summer Ensemble: Linen tops look great paired with shorts or a flowy skirt. It creates an overall relaxed, yet stylish, look. And linen’s breathable fibres mean you’ll stay cool and comfortable in the warm weather. Note that your linen top may crease during the course of the day, but it’s nothing to worry about. In fact, creasing is one of linen’s charms! (If you hate creases, get the steam iron on your linen top, but of course, not when you’re wearing it!).
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Casual Daywear: Whether you’re heading to a cafe with the family, or a picnic in the park with friends, linen tops are a great option. You can wear them with denim or lightweight pants. You’ll look laid back and polished at the same time.
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Office Wear: Linen tops are a good option for the workplace. No one wants to look sweaty at work, so linen’s moisture-wicking properties are a lifesaver! If it gets cool in your office, consider wearing a camisole beneath your top (preferably in a natural fibre), or keep a cardigan, throw or lightweight jacket at your desk, so you can keep warm under the aircon. Regarding styling your linen top for work, tailored linen shirts look neat and professional paired with crisp trousers or a pencil skirt.
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Holiday zone: Comfort is key on holiday, but you’ll feel extra great if you look stylish as well. That’s why linen tops are such a good choice when it comes to hanging around on your summer holiday. Whether you’re at a resort, exploring a market, going on a hike, or going out to dinner, linen tops are a practical-yet-chic option. Pair with breezy linen pants or a linen or cotton skirt.
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Beachwear: A linen top is perfect for throwing over your swimsuit. Its quick-drying properties and light feel make it a practical choice for sandy outings. Look out for linen shirts you can easily unbutton and throw over your arms for sun protection, and in particular, linen tunic tops, that can almost pass for a dress over your bathers. Don’t forget your summer hat!
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Bohemian Style: A linen top can look perfect as part of a ‘boho’ ensemble. Pair them with wide-leg pants, layered jewellery, and sandals for a carefree, boho-chic vibe.
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Travel Wardrobe: When travelling, you need clothes that are durable, easy to wash, and able to be worn on repeat. You also want items that look stylish without much fuss. Linen ticks all those boxes! Linen is great in a travel wardrobe. It always looks fresh and is easy to wash and dry. It also keeps you cool, which is especially important when you’re out and about exploring new places. Consider a linen shirt for an essential travel item, as you can wear it as sun protection, but it will also look sophisticated when you head out for dinner.
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Double linen: Denim isn’t the only fabric that looks great when paired with itself! Linen on linen also looks gorgeous, and creates a streamlined and stylish look. Look out for linen sets, whether it be linen trousers or shorts and a linen top, a linen top and a linen skirt combination, or a tailored linen suit. You can even create your own linen-on-linen looks if you can’t find a pre-matched linen set. Just grab separates, like a white linen top and white linen shorts or linen pants. Or else mix and match colours, such as a patterned linen top with neutral linen pants.
Comfort Meets Style with Femme Connection’s Linen Tops
Seeking out linen tops? Explore Femme Connection’s collection today. We have linen tops in a range of stylish designs, colours and prints. Styles include linen shirts, linen tunic tops, linen short and long sleeve blouses, and more. We also stock soft and comfy linen pants which are great to pair with your linen tops, and of course, a range of Made in Italy linen dresses.