Styling Linen Tops for Various Occasions

If you were looking for the perfect summer addition to your wardrobe, it would be the linen top. Whether it be a linen tunic top, a floral print linen top or a linen shirt, linen is a classic fabric to wear in the warm months. It’s breathable, moisture wicking, and sustainable, so both your body and conscience can feel comfortable when wearing linen.

Linen tops tend to be worn in casual settings, although they’re also perfect for work wear, and can look chic when worn out to dinner. So whether you’re dressing for work, a day at the beach, or a fancy summer soirée, linen tops will see you through. So how to style them? It’s pretty simple, if you follow these easy tips.

Linen Shirts

Linen shirts are a quintessential top to wear in summer. They’re just so adaptable! If you wear them buttoned up to the collar and tucked into a skirt or pants, you’ll look instantly neat and presentable. And if you leave a few buttons undone and your shirt untucked, you’ll look cool and casual. You can even wear a linen shirt as a light outer layer over another top. Whatever your choice, linen shirts just work. Here are some easy looks you can achieve with your linen shirt.

Linen shirt with denim

Linen and denim pair nicely. Whether it’s a crisp, white linen shirt tucked into high-waisted jeans, or a loose, pale blue linen shirt left hanging loose, the lightness of linen and the heaviness of denim offers a chic textural contrast.

For a casual day look, wear your linen shirt with a few buttons undone and tucked into jeans. Consider a cotton tank beneath your linen shirt, so you can unbutton the shirt and let the linen shirt hang loose, a bit like a jacket. Alternatively, for a preppy vibe, loosely tie the shirt around your waist or shoulders. Opting for a tank in the same colour as your shirt will offer a classy and streamlined look, but contrasting tones will also work. 

If you need to take a linen/denim look into the evening, try a black linen shirt tucked into a denim short or midi length skirt. Add black wedges or heeled sandals, simple accessories, and a structured bag and you’re guaranteed to look fab.

Linen-on-Linen

Why settle with just one linen garment when you can wear two at once? If you’re a linen lover, you’ll likely want to wear as much of it as possible, and the great thing is that linen works well with more linen.

So throw together your favourite linen shirt with linen pants. If your shirt is structured (the type you might wear to work) then aim for tailored wide-legged linen trousers that are similarly structured, especially if you plan to tuck the linen shirt into the pants. (A neat linen shirt won’t look as good tucked into pants with an elasticised waist.)

If you’re going for more of a casual vibe, then a loose-fitting linen shirt unbuttoned at the top will look great over linen pants with an elasticised waist.

Another great look is a linen shirt with a linen skirt or with smart, high-waisted linen shorts. You can tuck the linen shirt in and add a wide waist belt to add definition at the waist. Alternatively, let it hang loose and leave your shirt untucked. Again, consider a tank underneath as it will highlight your shape.

Linen Tunic Tops

When you want a linen top that can double as a dress, then a linen tunic top is a great choice. Linen tunic tops offer a relaxed summer option that’s suitable for modest dressing. You can wear it over a pair of jeans or leggings, and you’ll get the advantages of a dress-like shape with the warmth of a layer covering your legs underneath. 

For the beach, you can wear a linen tunic top over your bathers for a complete look. Alternatively, it will also look good with summer shorts. Just make sure the bottoms are longer than the shirt, as it can look odd otherwise.

You can even wear a linen tunic top as a layering piece—over the top of a cotton or linen sleeveless top—or even over a slim, long-sleeve top if the weather is a little cooler.

Double-Layer Linen Tops

These tops offer a unique look in summer. The double layer linen top usually features two layers of very light linen, or one standard layer combined with a more sheer layer with a lower hem. This creates visual interest, with the sheer layer revealing a little of the skirt or pants you’re wearing beneath. Additionally, this is a good option if you like to cover your waist, but don’t want your outfit to appear too heavy. Overall, the look appears light and breezy.

Double Layer with Linen Pants

A double layer linen top can look good in both the workplace and at casual affairs. For either setting, try pairing your top with linen trousers. (With this type of top, you wouldn’t really tuck it in, as you’d lose the charm of the double layers.) Add some closed-toe flat shoes or neat sandals for an all-round winning look.

Under a Blazer

Adding a light summer blazer to your double-layer linen top makes for a stylish and comfy look. For a more formal workplace, opt for a structured blazer. For a relaxed workplace and for casual wear, go for a less tailored blazer. Leave the blazer undone, so you don’t lose the loose-hanging charm of the double-layer top. 

Regarding bottoms, a structured linen midi skirt or pair of wide-legged trousers will work well with a double-layer linen top. Accessorise with statement jewellery and a clutch if you’re heading out somewhere special, otherwise, minimal accessories are needed.

Print Linen Tops

If you want to add a little personality to your outfits, then a print linen top is a great option. Prints catch the eye, as well as bring vibrancy to your ensemble. And the options of prints are seemingly endless, with linen tops available in floral, abstract, botanical and graphic prints.

Statement Linen Top With Neutrals

When you shop around for print linen tops, you’ll notice that typically, prints tend to be reasonably subtle, so you don’t need to worry too much about looking too bold with your print. Still, it works best to balance a print linen top with something neutral at the bottom. For example, a floral linen top will look chic with white, beige, black or navy pants. 

Due to the light and feminine vibe of a print linen top, it will look good with delicate jewellery, like a chain necklace or bracelet. Add sandals in a neutral tone, or in a colour that works well with a colour in your top’s print.

Casual with Denim or Shorts

A print linen top will likely look lovely with blue or white denim, whether it be jeans, shorts or a denim shirt. This combo is an easy option for catch ups with friends, trips to the shops and other such chilled-out activities. The prints draw visual attention, while at the same time, denim keeps it all casual. You can add a crossbody bag, wide summer belt, and sunglasses for a stylish and effortless ensemble.

Elegant Evening Look

Yes, you can wear a print linen top out at night! Whilst it won’t work for cocktail events, linen is still acceptable as evening wear, especially in summer when it stays light late. Try pairing your print linen top with a midi skirt in a solid colour, and add some statement heels. Depending on the colour of your skirt and heels, you can decide whether or not you want your linen print top to play first or second fiddle. For instance, if you opt for a red skirt and heels, your print top will look decidedly toned down. But if you want your top to take centre stage, consider dark-coloured bottoms and more neutral heels.

Linen Tops - General Styling Tips

1. Linen in the Office
   If you style linen the right way, it’s totally appropriate for the office. The first rule is to remember that linen comes in different thicknesses, so steer clear of sheer linen shirts, unless you have a camisole offering good coverage underneath. Instead, opt for mid-thickness linen. 

Regarding styling, the classic linen shirt for work look is to have your shirt buttoned up at the collar and tucked into bottoms, like tailored trousers or a structured skirt. (A belt will add bonus structure to your outfit.)

Add a tailored blazer on top of your linen shirt, and some neat looking shoes like loafers if you’re wearing trousers, or Mary Janes with a shirt. 

Avoid pairing a linen shirt with any fabrics that appear identifiably synthetic, as the natural fibres of linen work best with similarly natural fabrics.

(Note that most of the above applies also to linen blouses, but you just might not have the option of buttoning them up at the collar. It depends on the blouse.)

1. Tucking and Layering Options
   There are so many options for tucking in linen shirts. Popular tucks are: 

• the full tuck, where you tuck the shirt entirely around into your skirt or pants
• the loose tuck, where you tuck the shirt into the circumference of the pants, but pull on the shirt so it blouses out a little, creating a soft and voluminous look
• the french tuck, where you tuck just the front of the shirt into your pants or skirt to show the top part of your bottoms and draw attention to your shape
• the no tuck whatsoever, which is just an ultra-relaxed look. 

If you’re unsure of how to achieve these tucks, or of how the tuck will impact the look of your outfit, your best bet is to watch some YouTube tutorials. There are plenty!

1. To iron or not to iron? Linen is naturally prone to creasing, and unless you opt for a linen blend, then your linen top will likely look a little wrinkled by the end of the day. If you like your shirt to look very neat and crisp, choose a linen blend, which is less likely to crease.
2. Linen tops - transitioning from day to night
   If you want to achieve an evening look with your linen top, try wearing it with a skirt or with wide-legged pants. Add bold jewellery, lipstick and heels if you’re heading out for a slightly more formal event.
3. Using Natural Textures and Accessories
   Being a plant-derived fabric, linen works really best paired with other natural materials, so consider this when matching accessories. Shell jewellery, leather sandals, woven basket bags or canvas totes all look great with linen, and carry on those earthy, summery vibes.

If you’re looking out for stylish and versatile tops, grab yourself some linen tops from Femme Connection. From linen shirts and tunics to double-layer and print tops, each style we stock will ensure you have a unique outfit at the ready.

And if you love linen, be sure to also check out our linen dresses, linen pants, and our full Luxe Linen collection.