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 😊

@bananasaredelicious sounds like some wise decisions…..if something isn’t right the first time you put it on it never will be! It’s taken me a long time to learn this 😆.

As for me, I’m delighted with my sale bargains from The Shirt Company - I’ve definitely filled the silk shirt gap in my wardrobe!

@MakemineaGandT Ooh, that is exciting! Did you keep them both?

Sometimes I can try something on and it is perfect and I just love it, but then I still don't wear it enough. I think I need to just step away from the internet!

I've also made a new rule with my outlook emails. I add all the regular email addresses, Me & Em, Hush, Bicester village etc, to a new rule that moves them (& marks them as read), into a separate folder entitled 'shopping'. When I'm going through my junk folder, or just clearing down emails at the end of the day etc, I can then look through all the marketing emails when I'm ready, rather than them landing in my inbox when I'm vulnerable to spending!! It really works, and I usually just delete the lot of them.

I should add this on that thread about things to make life simpler!..

@bananasaredelicious That is a very good idea on the emails front! (Having just been sucked down a Banana Republic rabbit hole via a GAP email 🙈…)

I did keep both shirts…..and then ordered another 😬😅

@MakemineaGandT

how do the shirt company size wise? I like the look of the satin/jersey shirts in the sale section - but no returns.

@Eve I vary between a 10 and a 12. If you look at what size the model is wearing, you’ll see sometimes she’s in an 8 and sometimes a 10 - so I size up one from whatever she’s in and that works for me!

@Eve They had some of the satin/jersey style shirts in TKMaxx recently and I tried one on - I’d say they were quite small for the size (it didn’t suit me so I didn’t buy one - I found it too slim-fitting for what I was after).

I believe the ‘no returns’ thing is just for refunds - I think you could return to swap for a different size? Might be worth asking.

@MakemineaGandT I haven't thought about Banana Republic or Gap for a long time! They never come up in any searches I do. I think now I need to go and have a look at what they have!

I bought the vests in white and black - thank you @bananasaredelicious! They’re great 👍

I'm so pleased you like them!

I'm really falling off the wagon with all the new season clothes and need to close 100 diff browsers and walk away.

I sent back the H&M beige cashmere jumper when DP told me he thought it looked too unisex and boring! But... a local independent boutique were having a new season event this weekend and I found a lovely and more interesting one there, as well as a lovely blouse. Not sure on the style of the blouse, but I've seen it around a bit this season, is it folk/country?.. was very tempted by several other things but I actually walked away so was relatively please. Tried on a couple of (Ibiza) dresses which were nice, but didn't totally wow me, so I put them back. Really still thinking about a great raincoat, a brand called Tanta, but I also decided to stick with my Rains khaki one. Although the Tanta coats were lovely colours... jury is still out :)

Hope you had a lovely weekend x

@MakemineaGandT Hope you’re having a lovely weekend.

As my new style guru, what do you think of these trousers from Cos?

I’ve never bought from there before. Do you know how they come up small/large?

they aren’t what I’d usually go for but look interesting.

Oh my goodness @bananasaredelicious this is so funny….would you believe it - I was in a branch of Cos today and those trousers were the one item which jumped out at me - I really like them!!! I didn’t try them on because I couldn’t justify them but I really did like them. Go for it! And report back! 😁

@MakemineaGandT that is funny!! I actually walked past a branch today and didn't go in because I've never found anything in there. Imagine if we had been looking at them at the same time and never knew!!

Ok, am seriously considering, but am thinking about what they will go with - how beige were they? Would they go with a white vest? Or only really best with black? Also, did you touch them?...lol... are they soft or quite structured?

I quite often try things on even if I can't justify them because more than 50% of the time, they won't fit or suit, and then I feel happy to walk away.

M&S!

I think you could wear them with a white shirt for a tailored look, or with a black T-shirt for a more relaxed look. They are reasonably flowy trousers - certainly not stiff.

@MakemineaGandT I've had a good week.. or should I say, a bad week (for my bank balance). I found a dress, linen trousers, sandals, and a couple of other things. I now think I need to remove all fashion/influencer/styling accounts from my social media, and block all emails 😂 for fear of taking it further !!!

Oh how exciting! Well done @bananasaredelicious . Did you get the Cos trousers?! 🤩

@MakemineaGandT I didn't get the Cos trousers.. I bought these.. Also bought these sandals which are fab with the trousers and was a bit unsure of black, but hopefully will get a lot of use here as well as abroad..?

I loved a lot of things by that brand and am still mulling over other things.

Sending you a DM of the 'Ibiza' dress as I've told a few friends IRL, and I don't want to be outed!! xx

They are great trousers @bananasaredelicious and sandals - perfect! And I love the dress 😉.

I’ve been having a conscious break from buying these last few weeks and sorting through my wardrobe, bringing back a few things I’d fallen out of the habit of wearing and getting rid of a few bits on Vinted.

@MakemineaGandT lol, I listed a few things on Vinted today. I took out of my wardrobe a few things that were similar, and decided I don't need so many similar items, and so just started listing. I love getting those emails 'your item has sold'... haven't had any for a week or two tho.

My default is to wear those trousers with a plain white or black vest. I'm thinking about how to style them in a bit more of an interesting way? x

@MakemineaGandT have you been following the thread about what to wear on a long plane journey 😂

@MakemineaGandT I stumbled across this online today... what do you think? with jeans? Is it a silly impulse buy? :)

Hi @bananasaredelicious ! Sorry I only just saw your message. Love that top - gorgeous and great value too - 100% cotton! - great price. I think it’ll be a very useful top, and broderie anglaise is everywhere right now 👌

@bananasaredelicious hows your summer going sartorially?! Wondering how the search for a summer shirt worked out :)

Hello @MakemineaGandT how are you?... well, weatherwise it is just a disaster because I've hardly had a chance to wear my lovely purchases. I have made quite a few, in fact, more than I ought, and am determined to rein it in next summer and make full use of what I have. I've also sold quite a lot on Vinted which I'm really pleased about, so that funded quite a lot of the purchases :)

My best purchases were 2 dresses, from Rixo & BA&SH, both of which I had my eye on, and then went into their sales so I was v happy about that.

Have also had a few good bits & bobs from ASOS, one of their own brands, and have been happy with them.

Next summer I'd like to invest in a nice raffia bag. I was coveting a small, cross body, zip up one from LOEWE that a lady on holiday had.

I ended up buying the H&M linen shirt again, and it has been fine. I would have preferred it a little softer tbh, but it was £27 and I'm happy enough with it. I didn't go to a lot of shops and most of my shopping has been online. I'm on first name terms with all the delivery guys around here :)

What about you?

Hi @bananasaredelicious so nice to catch up! It sounds as though you’ve been very sensible with your shopping - I’ve been very careful to do better planning with my buys this year and I definitely feel more ‘put together’ than I have done in the past. I’ve made more effort to use accessories which has helped too - lots of which I already owned but don’t always remember to use! One great buy turned out to be a pair of wide leg viscose/linen trousers from Zara, with a waistband and pleats. I was worried the fabric would crease terribly but it didn’t and they’ve been fab. A flat pair of strappy black sandals which were a bit of an afterthought have also been fabulous - so comfortable and go with everything. I haven’t worn wedge/heeled sandals much at all this year. I think they look a bit dated somehow?
I like the sound of your raffia bag - I looked at some on holiday but decided to resist. I’ve mostly been using a big slouchy off-white leather bag and a pale tan envelope clutch this summer.
What’s on your shopping list for autumn?! Xx