Yesterday we had the warmest day of the year so far, and that got me looking forward to summer. Last summer I absolutely fell in love with linen. While I’d dabbled in linen with a shirt here and a dress there before, it wasn’t until last summer that I owned my first pair of linen pants…and my second and my third! This year linen is trending hot! So today I’m sharing a simple linen look plus I’ve rounded up some of my favorite linen picks for you to check out.
The linen pants I purchased last year all featured elasticized waistbands. And I love them. But when Talbots came out with these linen straight leg crop pants with a fly front, I wanted to give them a try. I think the fly front adds a polished element, but the cut of the pants still looks chic and casual.
Style Tip: I’m showing this outfit two ways: with the shirt tucked and untucked. I prefer it tucked gently, but you absolutely can wear it untucked for a more casual, easy-breezy look.
These linen straight leg crop pants run true to size, but roomy. I’m wearing my usual size 8 and feel very comfortable in them, but the fit is quite relaxed. The linen straight leg crop pants do have an elasticized back and just a bit of stretch. They fit me just so in the hips but quite loose in the waist (not unpleasantly so, however). The pants come in a curvy fit also, but only in the gardenia pink color. Speaking of colors, these linen straight leg crop pants are available in the flax color I’m wearing as well as gardenia pink and black. And you’ll find them lined here in white.
While I’ve already purchased another pair of elasticized waist linen pants in black, I definitely think I’ll enjoy wearing these more “buttoned up” straight leg crop pants for a slightly elevated but still summertime casual look.
Sale Alert: Talbots begins their Friends & Family Event today with 30% off. Today only they’re offering FREE SHIPPING for orders of $125 or more. The pants and cardigan in today’s look are from Talbots. And you might want to check out my other Talbots Favorites, too.
But the linen doesn’t stop there!
My sleeveless v-neck smocked top is also 100% linen. It’s available in this flax color and black, and it runs a little large. I’m wearing a small very comfortably. I’m also wearing a racerback bra with it, by the way. I like the way this flax color helps me create a “column of color” underneath my gardenia pink linen blend pointelle cardigan.
The linen blend open front cardigan runs true to size and also comes in aqua, indigo blue (navy) and clay pebble (darker flax). The navy or flax colors would be especially versatile in your wardrobe, but if you enjoy wearing more vibrant colors the pink or aqua would make nice choices.
I purchased my Eileen Fisher Viv sandals last year (and many of my readers did, too!), but they’re still available in select sizes and at a much reduced price this year. Mine are in the barley color, and I love how they elongate the leg, especially with cropped pants. These wedge sandals are some of the most comfortable shoes I’ve ever put on. So easy to walk in!
Linen up: This natural fiber fabric is breathable, so it keeps you cool and fresh. But there are differences in quality. The pieces I’m showing you here are all soft and lightweight. But beware the itchy, heavy weight linen you’ll come across occasionally.
Keep in mind that rules change a little when wearing linen. Once the fabric of the wealthy and leisurely, it’s quite okay to be a little wrinkled and rumply in your linen. If that just doesn’t sit well with you, then you may want to pass on this soft, breathable fabric. But if you can embrace the summer vibes of this natural material, wear those wrinkles with confidence! Sure, I steam my pieces before I put them on. But if I gather a few wrinkles during the day, I don’t sweat it.
Linen Up: One of the reasons linen is so popular for coastal wear is that the humidity actually helps keep wrinkles at bay. So linen is a great choice for your beach vacation or other humid destinations.
I chose to keep my accessories very simple and pared back for this summer preview look. ( I say summer “preview” because it’s a little early for it here in Ohio. But if you live in a warmer climate go for it now!) I’m wearing a pair of darling starfish earrings from Talbots (remember, 30% off!) and a Gorjana necklace from my jewelry box, which is no longer available. But I’ve linked to something comparable in the shopping widget below. (It’s a beautiful butterfly!) On my wrist I’m wearing a simple layering bracelet.
Linen Up: While you can find fitted linen pieces (like my linen blazer), many linen items feature a looser fit. So it’s quite okay to wear your linen a little looser, fuller. In fact, wearing loose fitting linen head to toe is even rich and luxurious looking. But remember, keep it loose, not baggy. It’s a fine line, but fit still matters.
Linen Up: Linen is always in style, so it’s a good investment for your summer wardrobe. But it’s trending high in 2021. So pieces will go fast. I learned that last year. So plan well, shop smart, but act fast, too.
I’ve filled the shopping widget below with the pieces I’ve shown here, but also other linen items I’ve already tried on. These are pieces I can heartily endorse. I’ll be featuring more linen throughout summer, for sure.
Shop the Post:
You can shop the look through the links in the copy above or through the shopping widget below. Sale prices are not always reflected in the widget, so click through to get pricing info. Remember, if you purchase anything through these links I potentially earn a commission, but at no cost to you. Thank you for shopping through Dressed for My Day. I am grateful!
Thanks so much for stopping in for a little style inspiration. I love wearing linen in the summer. Do you? Or are you willing to give it a try? While I generally only guarantee replies to comments with questions, I absolutely read and enjoy every single word from my readers. I love hearing from you!
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Blessed for My Day
Sometimes Naomi, Ruth’s mother-in-law, gets a bad rap. Yes, she seemed quite despondent when she returned to her homeland without her husband or her two sons. She even called herself bitter. But she must have been a wonderful mother-in-law. Both of her daughters-in-law actually wanted to stay close to her side, but, while Orpah told Naomi goodbye with tears and an embrace, Ruth actually followed her to a foreign land to serve her God.
This story always has so many beautiful implications. But as I read it this morning I was most struck by the caring and committed relationship between these two in-laws. And it got me to thinking about my own daughter-in-law. I pray for her daily, but this morning I spent a little extra time praying for her. I also recommitted to seeking her best, treating her with respect and love, and purposefully communicating to her that I’ve got her back. Maybe you’d like to do the same.
Again they wept loudly. Then Orpah kissed her mother-in-law goodbye, but Ruth clung tightly to her. So Naomi said, “Look, your sister-in-law is returning to her people and to her god. Follow your sister-in-law back home!” But Ruth replied,
“Stop urging me to abandon you!
For wherever you go, I will go.
Wherever you live, I will live.
Your people will become my people,
and your God will become my God.
Wherever you die, I will die—and there I will be buried.
May the Lord punish me severely if I do not keep my promise!
Only death will be able to separate me from you!”
Love linen! I live on the Gulf coast, so I’m already wearing my linen.
I love your blog and videos! Just found you yesterday and you are already an inspiration to me! I’m turning 50 next year yet I’m still trying to find my own style. Over the past few years, I’m finding I’m unable to wear earrings or necklaces (the metals irritate me) but pearls work! But working from home full time, I find I have traded style for comfort but your blog shows me I can have both! So it’s time to create a signature style and figure out a hairstyle that compliments this season of my life. Look forward to learning from you.
I love linen for our hot, humid summers. In fact, I wore a Talbots linen shirt yesterday. I’m looking for some linen ankle pants that are not so full. I just don’t wear crops, but I really like the cut of the ones you featured today. Thank you for all your hard work on our behalf.
Kay, I look forward to every one of your blog posts, for the style inspiration and Blessed for My Day. You have become like a special girlfriend. Lucky, Holly, to get to meet you in person. Hmm,…maybe someday when you are visiting Ontario, Canada?
You have inspired me to define my true style essence which has simplified my shopping experience. Thank you!
Very pretty on you. I like the pink cardigan. I love linen.
What a beautiful color combination. Flax, barley, bet there’s a wheat and rye. I just love the pink sweater too but we are way past that here on the coast. Could You use a burlap bag in its natural color with this tank and pants? Straw? I never knows what bag to use in summer? Leather and canvas just looks to hot. Ideas for summer purses in a post?
I love my in laws. I got really blessed there! Your BFMD reminds me I don’t pray enough for them.
Hi Eve. Normally I’d probably carry my straw bag really. I just felt like I’d showed it a lot lately so I went with the taupe tote. But I think straw is classic with linen. ?
Very beautiful and springy post! Thank you Kay!
PS. You look pretty in pink!
Could you post your 7 Cup Soup recipe again, please?
Hahaha! It’s just 2 cans of either pinto or ranch style beans, 2 cans of Rotel tomatoes (I use mild) and 3 cans of Progresso minestrone soup with 2 lbs of ground beef browned and drained. I usually add a cup or can of water to it too.
I have one pair of casual linen pants but think I will order a little more dressy pair as I love linen.
Love the BFMD. I am glad you gave your daughter-in-law an extra prayer. So, nice you blessed her and made me
think I need to pray extra for my daughter-in-law also. What a beautiful story this is from the Bible.
The pink sweater is so lovely on you, very pretty with the flax linen. I like the shade of pink that you used for your pedicure, do you happen to know what color that is?
Thank you for finishing each blog post with the BFMD, I always look forward to that! Your daughter-in-law is blessed to have such a loving and caring mother-in-law. ?
Hi Kay, I am quite new to linen, especially the pants, but love how you have shown us many fun fresh ways to style linen! I keep referring back to your videos which have helped me so much! Thank you for being “real”–that is why you are gaining new subscribers each month! I really enjoy your BFMD! Actually, I love it all!
I would love to know if you would use your white linen blazer with the linen crop pants that you feature here or would that not be a good look? I have that blazer from Talbots too. Thank you!
Hi Barbara. Thanks so much for sharing your encouragement. I’m very grateful for the women who gather hear each day. God has blessed. Yes, I would definitely pair the white linen blazer with the linen crop pants, no matter what color you have them in. One of the nice things about shopping at Talbots is that they keep their black, white and indigo colors pretty consistent through the years. So if you have the pants in white I bet they’d be an almost identical match to the blazer. But in the long run that doesn’t matter as much as it used to. Just a thought. Anyhow I’d definitely pair it with my flax pants too. ?