How to look casually elegant in natural fibres?

[ShowerOfMonsters]

All the women at work wear tops which seem to flow and make them look elegant. I only ever find ones in that style in e.g. polyester. I need to wear cotton (else I have smelly sweat issues) and always feel underdressed! Proper shirts are far too formal and only worn on presentation days. Most people wear jeans and a smart casual top.

Look at Poetry, The White Company and Woolovers.

Look for viscose tops - it's got the drape and silkiness, but made from wood pulp ( used to be known as wood silk) so you've got the breathability.

You'll often find it mixed with linen too, and linen's even better than cotton for avoiding sweat.

Otherwise have a look for thin wool - also v breathable, it's only warm when designed to be so.

I agree go for viscose, silk or linen. I have a cream silk shirt from jigsaw that's very flowy, looks lovely but not too formal

Thank you! I always thought viscose would have the same smell issues as polyester so I avoided it. It definitely won't hold the sweat?

I can't wear polyester for similar sweat reasons and I'm ok with viscose and rayon.

Uniqlo has some lovely tops in at the moment in both fabrics if you're on the hunt for one.

Lovely drapey polyester is imitating silk.

Personally I find viscose quite warm (at least this summer!) and it really varies in quality. I have a viscose jersey dress from COS that drapes beautifully and washes perfectly but I also have had viscose tops that pill after the first wash. It also takes ages to dry in comparison to cotton or wool.

A mix of cotton and silk works well

As well s the fibre, look at the finish - a woven fabric is always going to be cooler to the touch than a knitted fabric of the same weight, with the exception of fabrics like flannel or velvet with a textured surface that will trap more heat