in search of the perfect white linen shirt

[bananasaredelicious]

I'm looking for a perfect white linen shirt, soft, and machine washable please. Last year I had an inexpensive one from H&M which was great, but a little stiff. I don't want to spend a fortune as I'm going to wear it over a bikini like a cover up, for breakfast, lunch etc, and I don't want to get upset when I get suncream all over it (hence I can't wear the one I bought last year as it is v stained). I could order a new one from H&M but thought I would see if there is anything better that anyone would recommend please? Thank you 😊

Hi @bananasaredelicious - glad to hear the Supergas are a success! So tempted to order some myself 🙈😅. Shame about the trousers, but you’ll find the right pair in time. I don’t know about you, but I’m much stricter with myself these days about rejecting things that aren’t quite right for whatever reason. If they don’t feel great as soon as you put them on they’ll never be right and it’s best to keep looking.

What was the H&M vest you found? I usually get my vest/T-shirt basics from there too, but it can be a bit hit and miss quality wise. If I find a basic I like I usually buy three!

the leopard top looks good - hope it feels nice on. Some polyester does, and some doesn’t

We're going to South America in April. I've got a collection of linen shirts from Zara.

Arket are usually good for linen trousers/shorts/shirts - but if you want the shirt for sunbathing, you're probably safest just getting another from H&M.

@MakemineaGandT this is the vest top. I'm definitely buying more. It isn't quite as nice as the Me & Em vest, but is a good runner up, especially for travelling days.

Good point re the polyester top. Maybe this is one for an in person shopping trip.

I'm going to the west end tomorrow so am going in search of the crop trousers in Me & Em, and I might try to find time for Zara too and look for the shirts that @goingdownfighting mentions - thank you :). Have a fab time in South America!

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie I'll look up where Arket is - could be a good option for trousers, thank you :)

@MakemineaGandT yes, I am also much stricter these days. I have to put it on and love it, whatever it is. If I don't love it, I have to send it back. The dress was upsetting ;) because it is so comfortable but I knew it should be going back.

With every purchase I make now, I think about the 'pursuit of elegance' thread, and if this purchase will extend my wardrobe, and be worth it.

Oh great - thanks for the vest link @bananasaredelicious

yes I too think of the ‘pursuit of elegance’ thread. It is such a good discipline to shop by!

On my silk shirt hunt I’ve found amazing discounts here and have ordered a couple. Fingers crossed! I have a couple of their shirts already so I know the quality is good.

ooh, I'll have a look at that link. I hope they arrive quickly and are what you're looking for :)

I can highly recommend Arket black vest tops btw, although about three times more expensive than H&M. They keep their colour and shape really well.

@RemusLupinsBiggestGroupie ill have a look, thank you. There’s an Arket in Selfridges and I’ll be around there tomorrow.

I was planning on getting there around 6pm ish but my list of places to go is getting longer and longer!

@MakemineaGandT i got totally sidetracked in Me & Em in Selfridges. They didn’t have the crop trousers in store but I tried a great dress that could work for Ibiza and a couple of off-the-list shirts. I’ve taken photos and walked away without buying, to give myself time to think about if I REALLY need and if they fit requirements. No linen trousers in Arket but a lovely cream blouse with pintucks down the front, not silk, but I thought of you.

Loved this but over budget and prob wouldn’t wear that much

Dress

This is the blouse. Practical as I wear a lot of knitted vests?..

Oh that is a gorgeous dress @bananasaredelicious - and I think a reasonable price too. I would think perfect for Ibiza?!

And a beautiful blouse too.

When it comes to linen, I think you have to go for a bit of a pricey one otherwise they can look shabby. I really like the linen from NRBY and The White Co. and have got lots of compliments on a shirt and dress I have for the summer.

@MakemineaGandT the only prob with the dress is the HUGE 'keyhole' at the front - I definitely would need to add a stitch somewhere. Not sure who they have in mind when they put that in their dresses?

Glad you like both items!

Still in search of linen trousers but plenty of time, and also the original linen cheap shirt that I can trash with suncream...!

Lovely blouse, but the puffy cuffs might be annoying. I don’t like the pink dress, sorry.

I ordered this which is similar but more casual to the gorgeous Me & Em shirt, it's one size though, so no good unless you're over a size 12. I'm just loving all of the shirred cuffs out at the moment.

chesterboutique.com/products/broderie-anglaise-shirt-ivory

I did think that about the puffy cuffs, but they pull up quite easily (not elasticated wrists, but very stretchy) so hopefully won't get in my food!

Am happily searching for alternatives to the pink dress, and open to suggestions and inspiration. I haven't bought it yet :)

Really nice, thanks for linking, but I think would probably be too big for me...

My friend introduced me to a really good website actually that helps search for stuff like this, it's called NewIn.Styleand you can basically search through all the latest stuff in highstreet stores. Worth a go?

@MakemineaGandT Would you mind styling me? 😁Sorry to jump on your thread @bananasaredelicious !

I am off to California in a few months, I will be walking a lot seeing things. Only taking hand luggage (am a tightwad) there for 10 days
Size 16, bit of a tum, trousers and top/jacket kind of gal.

Any ideas most welcome!! 😁

Bumping this for @snowlady4

Cannot do linking so this is as technical as I get

I brought a lovely white linen shirt from M&S this week. They did a few colours.

Hi @ILoveHugeAckman !
Oooh how lovely - whereabouts are you going? It can be quite chilly in SF even in the summer, so you definitely need jeans/jacket options there for example. Inland it gets much hotter.
What sort of colours do you like? Travelling light definitely requires a capsule wardrobe approach.

@MakemineaGandT Yes, a capsule wardrobe is what I am after! I like muted colours oatmeal/navy/black/khaki with a pop of colour some days. I sometimes like scarfs to hide the scraggy neck 😁

We are going to San Francisco whoop whoop!

@ILoveHugeAckman Sorry for not replying sooner - I’ve been busy with work! What shops/brands do you tend to like? Do you have any real dislikes to avoid?

@bananasaredelicious how are you getting on? Any updates to report?! 🤩

@MakemineaGandT Hello! How are you?... I tried another pair of linen trousers from H&M, but they are went back today. I think I need to take a visit to m&s as it looks like they have some good options. The pink dress didn't fit well, so that went back to Me & Em. I've been sidetracked by all the new season stock everywhere, and bought a nice beige cashmere jumper from H&M. Still on the lookout for a nice dress for Ibiza and my travelling trousseau 😂