If you have shied away from linen in the past because of the wrinkle factor, this is the year to let it go. My friend, you survived a freaking PANDEMIC. Even though society is brushing it under the rug, such an experience changes us. And I hope it changed you into realizing comfort is chic. Wrinkles are a sign of a life lived, and summers are far easier to enjoy when in breathable fabrics. This is the year of linen, and I am sharing some of the best linen I've found this season.
My Picks for Linen Dresses
The Best Printed Linen Dresses
From daytime weddings to weekend getaways, a printed linen dress is a way to look festive while keeping your cool. The prints better hide wrinkles and sweat, and look better when a bit rumpled. Pair with nude-to-you or soft metallic shoes to let the pattern steal the spotlight. A raffia clutch or small wicker bag can complete the look.
Row 1: red one shoulder (sizes 0-16) | green one shoulder (sizes 0-16) | khaki floral (XXS-XXL with petite and tall) | black gingham (sizes 0-12)
Row 2: floral halter neck (sizes 0-12) | white and blue floral jumpsuit (sizes 2-10/22 with petite and tall) | warm print wrap dress (sizes S-XXL) | white with navy swing dress (sizes XS-XL)
Row 3: blue floral (sizes 2-20/22) | gold print shift (sizes XS-4X with petite and tall) | rust floral maxi (sizes XXS-4X) | cream printed jumpsuit (sizes 2-10)
Row 4: green print (sizes 0/2-12/14) | red and white print (sizes XS-L) | gray and blue print (sizes 2-16) | pale floral (sizes 12W-24/26W)
The Best Solid Colored Linen Dresses and Jumpsuits
A solid colored linen dress is a wardrobe workhorse in hot and humid temps. Pair with Birkenstocks and a tote for running errands, wear as a swim coverup with flip flops when leaving the pool or beach for lunch, glam up with metallic sandals and a clutch for a night out. Some styles of solid colored linen dresses featured below would even be appropriate for the office.
Row 1: black smocked sundress (other colors available; sizes XXS-3X) | rust short-sleeve shift (other colors available; sizes 4/6-24/26) | blue shirtdress (also available in gold; sizes XS-4X with petite and tall) | green wide-leg jumpsuit (other colors available; sizes 00-40)
Row 2: teal tiered sundress (sizes 1X-3X) | camel wrap dress (other colors available; sizes 00-40) | black swing dress (sizes XS-XL) | red fit and flare sundress (other colors available; sizes 2-20/22 with petite and tall)
Row 3: green belted tiered dress (sizes 1X-3X) | cobalt blue dress (sizes XS-XXL) | orange-red gathered waist dress (other colors available; sizes XXS-3X) | teal midi dress (sizes XS-4X with petite and tall)
Row 4: black trapeze (other colors available; sizes 6/8-18/20) | orange sundress (other colors available; sizes XXS-XL) | blue button-front dress (also available in green; sizes 00-20) | lavender swing dress (multiple colors and prints; sizes S-3X)
Best Linen Separates
The great thing is linen matches linen, even if it is 100% linen with a blend, pieces from different retailers, no-wrinkle with classic, or different weights. Mix colors so it looks purposeful. Consider mixing pieces in a single color story – pink with red and rose, navy with teal and aqua, cream with tan and white.
Column 1: green shirtdress/duster (other colors available; sizes 00-40) | purple tank (other colors available; sizes 4/6-24/26) | lemon trousers (other colors available; sizes XXS-XXL) | black wrap skirt (sizes XXS-3X) | lavender shorts (sizes 1X-3X)
Column 2: white duster shirt (sizes 0/2-20/22) | black shorts (other colors available; sizes XXS-3X) | orange oversized blazer (other colors available; sizes XXS-XXL) | pink shell (other colors available; sizes 2-20/22) | light blue blazer (other colors available; sizes 00-24)
Column 3: pumpkin shirt (other colors available; sizes 00-40) | pink drawstring pants (other colors available; sizes 00-24 with petites) | blue dress/duster (other colors available: XS-XL) | pink wide leg cropped pants (other colors available; sizes 4/6-16/18)
Column 4: black sailor-inspired pants (other colors available; sizes 2-18 and petites) | pink sleeveless top (other colors available; sizes XS-3X with petites) | brown long shorts (other colors available; sizes 12W-24W) | celadon blazer (other colors available; sizes 00-12)
Column 1: printed wide leg pants (sizes 2-20/22) | floral shorts (another print available; sizes 2-10/22) | green floral skirt (another print available; sizes 2-20/22) | yellow blouse (other colors available; sizes 2-20/22) | white embroidered jacket (sizes XS-XL)
Column 2: black and white dot shirt (wrinkle free! Sizes 0/2-20/22)) | teal print pants (sizes 12W-24W) | blue and white print tunic (sizes 0/2-20/22) | red print pants (other colors available; sizes 4-20)
Column 3: floral blazer (another print available; sizes 2-20/22) | sleeveless top (sizes 2-16) | blue peasant top (sizes XS-XXL) | red and pink blouse (sizes 2-20/22) | navy print pants (sizes XS-XXL)
Column 4: orange and white pants (sizes 14-28) | green floral tunic (sizes 1X-3X) | striped skirt (XS-3X with petites) | black and white pants (sizes 1X-3X; link for sizes XXS-XL) | red and white striped shirt (sizes XS-XXL; link for sizes 1X-3X)
Shop the Post:
Over the last few years, I have gone a little crazy buying linen tops from Muji. More recently, I bought a couple of linen button down shirts from Uniqlo. I didn’t believe it at first but a long sleeved linen shirt is so much cooler temperature wise then a fitted short sleeve shirt. I wish it was easier to find printed linen shirts in stores as the prints hide the wrinkles better.
By the way, thinking of the post you did in the past reviewing skorts, I recently bought a skort from 32 degrees and it is great. Only $17 and they go up to size XXl. https://www.32degrees.com/products/womens-stretch-woven-skort?variant=39688461058137
Wonderful post! One question – the Nordstrom link to the orange blazer does not show a color wave in orange. Did something go haywire with the link? I was very excited about the orange.
It seems as though the orange is now sold out. Argh!
Not linen, but this textured orange blazer from Mango is pretty awesome: https://shopstyle.it/l/bGF4O
Not orange, but this linen blazer, also from Mango, comes in a gorgeous grass green and a hot pink: https://shopstyle.it/l/bGF4O
Not the best size range but this blazer from RevolvexGibson is a gorgeous color of orange https://shopstyle.it/l/bGF30
I love linen and could give a rat’s ass that it wrinkles…it just matches me!!! I overheard a woman telling someone she actually scrunches her linen up when she washes it and maybe even ties it to create a completely different texture. Kind of a cool idea, but not one I think I want to try!
https://marshainthemiddle.com
So many good options! In just the last year or 2, I’ve picked up a few pairs of linen (or linen blend) pants & really love wearing them in spring & summer. Dresses & jumpsuits have me intrigued right now. I started looking on the Boden website & they have so many pretty options! What is their sizing like? And how about shipping & returns? I ordered a dress from them years ago & remember that I sized up one; not sure if that’s still a good idea or not? And I can’t remember if shipping & returns were free or not. Thanks!
Returns and shipping is free on orders of $49+ and their returns are easy – prepaid postage sticker added into every bag. I find that Boden runs a bit narrow in the legs and bust. I go up a size for non-stretch pieces and my usual size for knits.
Thank you for replying!