The Magnificent 8 are Reflaxing in Linen
We are back with our quarterly collaboration of 8 magnificent ladies showcasing personal style that spans the generations.
The Magnificent 8 is a collaboration among 8 style bloggers, each in a different age bracket, ranging from 20’s to 80’s. The mission of this collaboration is to show you just how ageless style is, how we can each dress however we’d like and in ways that make us feel fabulous. There are no age restrictions on style. So wear what you want, when you want, add a smile, and strut your style with confidence.
Every quarter we choose a theme and each create an outfit that suits our own personal tastes and fashion choices to illustrate just how ageless style is.
For July, we collaboratively decided to style linen, one of the oldest textiles in the world made from the fibers of the flax plant.
I am not a huge fan of linen garments for a few reasons. No matter how hard I try to convince myself that wrinkles are the natural state of these fabrics, it still drives me crazy. While I am easily embracing my own wrinkles that come with age and experience and living a full life, I simply cannot grant the same acceptance to wrinkled clothing. I also do not like the abrasiveness that some flax and linen materials naturally produce. While I do appreciate the fabric for its breathability and the fact that it is made from natural instead of synthetic components, it is not a fabric that I tend to buy. That being said, I do own a few linen pieces and many of them are linen blends. When linen is blended with other natural fibers such as cotton, it does seem to assume the softness of the cotton and I find it much more conducive to my comfort level. The cotton also helps to keep wrinkling to a minimum.
So for my linen look, I pulled out some really old wardrobe items that were purchased at Old Navy more than a decade ago. I can’t remember the last time I wore these pieces but I don’t think I have ever worn them since I have lived in New York. We moved here in the summer of 2013. (See, Nancy, I do wear things even after they have sat in my closet unworn for almost a decade!) If I recall correctly, I purchased these linen blend trousers when I was pregnant with Archie back in 2010. They are not maternity pants but they have a stretchy cotton panel at the waistband that can be pulled up to my boobs or folded down so they rest at my waistline or on my hips. The cotton blend makes them super soft and they are very comfortable. So much in fact that I also purchased them in black and olive green.
This coral colored tunic is one of my favorite clothing items in my closet. I love the bohemian vibe and the beautiful embroidery along the neckline but I don’t wear it often because it is 100% linen. And like I said, I find 100% linen to be a bit too abrasive against my sensitive skin. Because this top is long sleeved and I prefer to layer something softer beneath it to ensure my comfort, it sort of falls into seasonal limbo and often gets forgotten. But now that I have brought it back into rotation and realize how perfectly it matches my current bohemian aesthetic and provides a gorgeous backdrop for my Shelbee Mala, I think I might start wearing it more often.
I also added a new colorful matching earrings and necklace set that I recently scored on Torrid clearance and my newest summer shoe acquisition…furry lined Birkenstocks. I have been wearing these sandals everyday around the house and whenever I travel they are my go-to footwear. I loved these so much that I also bought them in a darker charcoal gray color that I have yet to wear.
I love the easy laid back vibe of this casual linen outfit but it turned out the day I photographed it was way too hot and humid that I couldn’t strip the stuff off of my body quickly enough upon returning home. It seems the heatwave has passed for now, thankfully, but I suspect we still have many hot days ahead. Stay cool, my friends!
For more ageless styles in linen, please visit my flaxtastic friends by clicking on the links below. And be sure to check back with us on October 26, 2022, for our next collaboration! If you have any themes that you would like to see this group style, please let me know in the comments.
- Grace of Graceful Rags
- Mica of Away from the Blue
- Roxanne of Glass of Glam
- Rena of Fine Whatever
- Eugenia of Age of Grace
- Lesley of Jodie’s Touch of Style
- Charlotte of Jodie’s Touch of Style
What are your preferred fabrics for summer? Do you wear linen or linen blends?
Keeping it on the edge,
Shelbee
Linking up with these Fabulous Link Parties.
Outfit Details: Pants and Tunic-Old Navy / Sandals-Birkenstock / Earrings and Necklace-Torrid / Mala Beads-Zen Spirit Malas
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
I am a midlife woman, wife, and stay-at-home mother of 2 boys and 2 cats. I have a passion for helping other women feel fabulous in the midst of this crazy, beautiful life.
28 Comments
Joanne
I’m kind of impressed you have clothes that old! I don’t think I have anything more than a few years old. I am definitely one who gets rid of things when I notice I’m not wearing it. I do have a few linen items though as I really like linen (and don’t mind the wrinkles) but it has to be a comfy, soft linen. I won’t wear anything scratchy.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Hahaha, thanks, Joanne! I definitely have attachment issues when it comes to my clothing! I have been doing this massive closet clean out and getting rid of about half of everything I own and I swear to you I have some deeply rooted trauma or something around clothing. This process is insanely emotional for me. I have no problem getting rid of anything else that sits unused in my house. But when it comes to my closet, I am attached in a really weird way!
xoxo
Shelbee
jodie filogomo
That’s funny you said that about the roughness of linen, because I’ve never really noticed that. Then again many most of my things are a blend then?? But Cathy said the same thing in her comment, so you are definitely not alone.
XOXO
Jodie
http://www.jtouchofstyle.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Oh my goodness, Jodie, especially when it’s really hot, I notice the abrasiveness of linen even more! I have a really cute 100% linen oversized white shirt dress from Zara and I wore it the first day at the bluegrass festival in June. It was super hot and humid and I absolutely could not stand the feel of the linen on my skin. The cotton blend linens are so much more comfortable and sweat absorbent to me. I loved what you said about embracing the wrinkles in your post! I embrace the wrinkles on my face just fine, but wrinkles in my clothing drive me crazy!
xoxo
Shelbee
Eugenia Hargrove
Shelbee,
You gave the good and the bad about linen, we know breathability, but linen can be harsh as you mentioned; I agree the blend is a better option because of less wrinkling.
No matter what, you pulled off a great outfit from your closet with history; I love this.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Eugenia! the abrasiveness of 100% linen really didn’t used to bother me at all. But the older I get, the more sensitive my skin is becoming. I want all comfort all the time! This was a great theme and I loved reading everyone’s feelings about linen. It was really interesting! I hope you have a great weekend.
xoxo
Shelbee
Marsha Banks
I love how you know where, when, and why you bought these pants, Shelbee! How in the world did you ever remember you had them? I really love this outfit…it’s definitely boho chic and fits you so well! I also love how you just appear so at one with your surroundings! Goals!!!
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Aw, Marsha, thanks so much! I remembered I had them because I have been doing a massive closet clean out and I found them in the basement in a storage bin! I have tried on everything single item in my wardrobe before deciding to keep it or toss it and was really happy to have rediscovered these comfy summer pants. The tunic was in a basement bin, too, which was also a super fun discovery! I don’t remember much these days, (you know, all the pot smoking makes me forget!) but I do remember a lot of silly details about the origin of my clothing!
xoxo
Shelbee
Rena
Shelbee,
Your tunic has all the great vibes but I fully get the issue of linen’s abrasive feel. For that reason, I typically take my linen in small doses and/or when blended. Stay cool, my friend.
Rena
http://www.finewhateverblog.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Rena! I definitely go for linen blends but I do love this tunic enough to tolerate the abrasiveness. It’s not terribly abrasive anyway, just a little. You stay cool as well!
xoxo
Shelbee
Mica - Away From The Blue
That is such a beautiful tunic and it’s great you will be able to work it into rotation again – the necklace is so perfect with it, and the embroidery is so pretty! It’s good you had linen pants to wear it with too! I was only able to work one linen piece into each of my outfits for the challenge, but even if it wasn’t winter here I think I’d still struggle to find multiple linen pieces I could wear together!
Hope you are having a lovely week 🙂
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Mica! I am really happy that I brought this tunic back to life! And the pants. I actually am wearing these pants right now as my evening and early morning lounge clothes with a giant comfy oversized tee shirt. I wasn’t sure if I had two linen pieces that would work together so it was a nice challenge for me to try. I love what you came up with for styling linen pieces in winter!
xoxo
Shelbee
Jennifer
It’s a very pretty colour and I love linen!!
Jennifer
Curated by Jennifer
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jennifer! I do love this color a lot.
xoxo
Shelbee
Nancy
Yes yes darling, I rest my case. Lol. I don’t like the wrinkling either and also, when I was still working we sold a lot of linen trousers in summer. We always had to convince the women to size down as linen gets wider with wearing. Sometimes even 2 sizes, I hate that about linen too. But it wears fabulously in earth weather and always gives a relaxed look!
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Hahaha, thanks, Nancy! I was cracking up writing that part about wearing my clothes after they sat dormant for a decade! I am such a hoarder. I didn’t even think about how linen pants really do stretch out a lot after wearing. I think I have one pair of Zara joggers that are 100% linen but they are too scratchy to wear long enough for them to stretch out! Ha. I should probably get rid of those, too, if I am not going to wear them. I also love the look and idea of linen, but I think I will stick with softer blends.
xoxo
Shelbee
Patrick Weseman
Looking so very cool and comfy.
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Patrick!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
Linen is a practical summer fabric down here in the Deep South. It’s breathable and helps to keep you cool and comfortable. But — the wrinkles!!! I always iron my linen clothes. It takes time and effort, but if I didn’t iron my linen garments (on high heat with steam), the wrinkles would drive me crazy.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Carol! I am enjoying the comments on this post because there seems to be a equal divide on linen and its wrinkles. Some don’t mind the wrinkles at all and others can’t stand them. I steam my clothes everyday but only because it is more convenient than dragging out the ironing board. The steamer is always out and ready to go! But I do enjoy ironing and always have. I find it very satisfying to dewrinkle all the things! But then I get a bit frustrated after I have removed all the wrinkles and they come right back as soon as I sit down!
xoxo
Shelbee
Michelle
I totally love this outfit, Shelbee. That top is fabulous. I love the design and color. All of that said, I share you distaste for wrinkles. Like you, I’ve tried to tell myself it’s just the nature of linen to wrinkle, but…, So I keep shying away from linen. That said, when others wear it, I don’t mind the wrinkles. LOL!
Michelle
https://mybijoulifeonline.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Michelle! I love the color of this top, too! I have 2 other similar style tunics from Old Navy from around the same time, but they are both a lightweight cotton material which is way better. I should make an effort to style those. One is black eyelet and the other one is white with black spots and some brightly colored embroidery. I wore the second one on the blog way back in the beginning but I can’t find the post! as for wrinkled clothing, it kind of bothers me on everyone! Haha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Kellyann Rohr
I wish I had enoigh storage to keep things! I’m so limited when it comes to space I feel like I have to purge all the time.
This linen look is so good on you Shelbee, you look so chic!
xo,
Kellyann
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks so much, Kellyann! I kind of wish I had less storage so it would force me to purge more often! Although I don’t even think less storage would get me to purge. When I lived in a one bedroom apartment, I somehow managed to find more space to shove the clothing that I accumulated. I was like Carrie Bradshaw, storing sweaters in my oven! Hahaha.
xoxo
Shelbee
Jacqui Berry
Linen is just so comfortable to wear isn’t it! I have a few pieces that always look good and work hard for me. Jacqui x
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thanks, Jacqui! I do prefer linen blends, but yes, it is such a great fabric for hot weather!
xoxo
Shelbee
Carol
Stopping by again to say:
Thank you for participating in Talent-Sharing Tuesdays Link-Up 27.
Carol
http://www.scribblingboomer.com
shelbeeontheedge@gmail.com
Thank you, Carol!
xoxo
Shelbee