How to Wear a Linen Shirt This Summer (4 Ways)

In this first look, I paired a white v-neck 100% cotton Amazon tank with a pair of Talbots white cropped straight-leg pants. Pro-tip: Wearing a matching top and bottom such as these white pieces really elevates your style. It also allows for other outfit variations that will also work. And when you travel, you can totally change your look, just by changing your top layer.

I wore the pink linen boyfriend shirt open as a kind of duster. My sandals were flat gold ones (similar ones, here). My watch was gold as were my small gold hoop earrings.

The most fun purse in the world (!) was this mini-wicker bag which has a pretty pale blue and green stripe on the body of the bag as well as on the handle. There are several matching tassels hanging on to the handle and there’s even a hot pink leather cross-body strap for wearing the bag that way! It is just so dang cute! The colors remind me of a triple-scoop sherbet ice cream cone!

This second outfit shows how to style a linen shirt with linen shorts. I think this is the perfect summer look! I paired the “ultra pink” linen boyfriend shirt with Talbots’ last year’s blue drawstring linen shorts (very similar ones, here). This is such a comfy outfit for a summer lunch or barbecue. I added blueprint espadrilles to continue the very summery vibe. My bag is a great Amazon find with the neutral khaki color and the colorful tassels. For the last accessory, I had to add the white sunglasses. Aren’t they playful?

This was another easy look to put together. I popped on a pair of Talbots last year’s cropped print pants (similar look, here) and to keep the proportions interesting, I belted the shirt with a linen and leather J McLaughlin belt that I love! Pro-tip: by belting the longer-length shirt, I effectively cut it in half. Then my legs looked longer, while my top looks shorter. By doing this, I avoided the outfit looking as if the top and bottom were each 50% of the look. An outfit looks more elevated when you divide it into thirds and wear one third on the top or bottom, and the other on the other body section.

Check out my darling J McLaughlin bag (similar, here). I love the timelessness of J McLaughlin’s belts and handbags. The mixture of wicker and leather is so classic.

Here I show you the shirt unbelted over the cropped pants. It looks like the top and pants are 50-50 in their proportion. Then in the next photo, the belting gives me better proportions. It’s not the best example of the “rule of thirds”, but I think you can see that the belted top outfit looks more interesting and proportionate than the unbelted one.

One of my favorite things to bring to the pool as a coverup is a big linen shirt. This one is perfect. It looks cute open and is long enough to cover your backside. The cuffs are sharp and can be worn down or rolled up. This is the easiest way for how to wear a linen shirt.

Here is a view of the bathing suit peeking out from under the coverup. This style of Miraclesuit is WORTH EVERY PENNY of the price tag. The way this style of suit is designed, the floral pattern is just along the sides of the suit. I could not believe how sculpting this is to my waistline. Miraclesuits fit me well (I am 5’4″) and are so comfortable while also being very figure flattering. My exact pattern is not available but I scroll to the bottom of this piece and see some of my other favorite Miracle suits.

Above, I am pointing to my waist where the flowers are the fullest. This design acts as a waist-cinching optical illusion that every woman would love. Miraclesuits are known for their incredible support, but they truly are comfortable. Most of them have some ruching which is also flattering to the middle-aged figure.

Here I am pointing to the neckline. It’s a molded shape with a bit of wire at the edge. It really avoids the drooping (and cleavage over-sharing) that can happen when you sit at lunch in your bathing suit. You should definitely consider this perfect beach or pool combination of this linen boyfriend shirt and this terrific style of bathing suit.

Here you can see the back of the boyfriend shirt which has a curved hemline and a pleat in the back. Isn’t it so cute?

Have I given you enough inspiration to buy this pink linen shirt? Do you feel comfortable that you now know how to wear a linen shirt? I hope so because I love mine. Remember, it comes in five different colors if pink isn’t your jam. Linen is timeless, classic, and so wonderfully summery! BE SURE to scroll all the way down this post as I’ll show you some of my favorite linen items and Miracle suits. Happy Day!

XO,

Dr. Julie

PS Here are a few more posts for you to enjoy:

Cute Spring Looks from Talbots Friends and Family 2023

Four Spring Date Night Outfits

How to Wear a White Blazer Six Ways

A Recipe for Shakshuka

Have you ever been to the La Quinta Farmers Market? Let’s go!

Delicious Lemon and Garlic Hummus!