I felt I had ‘missed the mark’ last year on holiday… what is this year's white linen shirt?

[Lessbest]

Last year I went on a Med beach/city holiday, spent time beforehand buying new clothes and thought I’d packed sensibly — light, natural colours & fabrics, tried to go for stylish but practical.

But the one thing everyone seemed to be wearing (but not ME!) was an oversized white linen shirt. It looked great on everyone, so relaxed and effortless, worked over swimsuits beside the pool, over shorts for shopping, tied loosely over a dress in the evening and was clearly the thing.

Off again soon and wondering — if you have been away recently, have you noticed what the current version of my ‘white linen shirt’ is?

Any particular item or look that was everywhere? Also curious what item of clothing people wish they’d packed but didn’t.

Thanks in advance — would love not to miss the mark again and I'm clearly not cool enough to be in the know! (My partner would also appreciate not spending our holiday trawling shops and markets for ‘a white linen shirt’).😘

M&S look under cover ups. I’ve had a white one the last couple of years and loved them

I think loose printed shorts, ideally teamed with a matching top half. Or a "co-ord" set if you will.

Or those kitten heel mules with a toe post.

Saw this earlier. It has a placket fastening and pleat at the back, which makes it look finished. There will be cheaper ones but those are the features I look for.
Reiss Linen Button-Through Shirt in White - REISS

Free yourself op and wear whatever you like.

Yeah, I mainly do, just quite envious of those in the know, with their shirt!

I think you are worrying too much! Big white shirts are always all over. It’s not especially fashion.

I’d got for thin cotton / cheesecloth if you can - if wrinkles less.

I think this look is quite hard to pull off, it often reads ‘giant baby’ unless you really rock the pocket rocket in a play suit vibe. Loose printed trousers and matching top is a bit more forgiving

It's a tricky line to walk between comfortable and pyjamas and the only women I've seen who have pulled it off have accessorised to the nines and chosen the set carefully.

However it is absolutely everywhere at the minute.

For things I wish I'd packed; this was a couple of years ago now, but in the south of France everyone seemed to have a loose fit, lightweight black linen tunic sort of over dress. Over their swimming costumes, on the beach or to and from the beach. I'd brought some dark linen beach shirts but they were way too warm because they had long sleeves. And even rolled up were too hot.

I see women mostly in dark button up shirts and shorter shorts where I live. Very few T shirts I noticed.
Lots of waistcoat worn with nothing underneath, palazzo pants and long dresses.
Pretty much back to my wardrobe early 90’s!

I agree with waist coats. They seem to be everywhere.

https://shop.mango.com/gb/en/p/women/shirts---blouses/shirts/pocket-linen-shirt_87067161

i have this one in different colours and love it.

I'm still loving my linen shirts for summer, but looking around, the trends seem to be:

• linen shorts, either with a coordinating button-through vest, or loose, boxy t-shirt
• spaghetti strap dresses, long and short, quite 90s styling (bias cut/slinky)
• cropped linen barrel leg trousers with boxy sleeveless tops/vest

There are just things that are practical and comfortable, aren't they?

• Big white linen shirt.
• pretty, not chunky leather sandals/flip flops
• loose navy/black shirt dress that can be belted in

I'd add:

• floaty cotton midi/maxi dress (not cotton jersey; you want structure) in a really gorgeous colour or print that makes you happy.
• very slouchy high-waisted linen/cotton trousers you can pull on with a bikini top or a little vest,
• Fitted, soft, cotton jersey tops (whatever kind you like) that go over/under everything else.

If you have all of that you'll make it work.

I bought a white linen shirt from The Edit range in Primark for £25.

Hope you have a linen shirt by now OP. I wore them for years when they were not remotely fashionable for sun cover. They are useful! Although I don’t think shirts really suit me if I am honest. But I have a white cheesecloth one at the moment and it’s v comfy. Cheesecloth seems to be quite in. And bermuda shorts?!

Thank you for the above, some great ideas.

I think I might try a waiscoat as a more formal ‘vest’, haven't bought the white linen shirt yet ( though saw a very reasonable £22 one in the M&S outlet) also thought about buying a man’s shirt.

I have the chunky leather sandals and floaty long dresses. Mango is often my go to. And I love cheesecloth!

My next thought…how do people know ahead of time, what the next thing is? I feel I missed the ‘linen shirt memo’ ( perhaps I didn't open the email😆). Is there a secret holiday club “let’s all wear a white linen shirt, beside the pool, this year..😊)

Lord I’d HATE to be wearing what EVERYONE ELSE is WEARING as I like my clothes to reflect me and my personality.
Even worse if I noticed it on holiday where I’m meant to be enjoying myself .

I’ve brought an oversized white linen shirt on sun holidays with me every year since the 90s. I don’t think it was a 2024 fashion, was it?!

Still white linen shirts in Greece. I got mine from M&S.

I always pack 2 x white linen shirt and 1 x black one because my Mum always did (she probably had a red one too!) and that was the 80’s. If it ain’t broke…

OP, buy the linen shirt and get 2 so you have one for the day that will inevitably getting stained from suntan lotion ( so Primark or Tesco job) and size up x 2 and then you have ‘clean’ one for the evening or lazy lunches. I like M&S for my smarter version. H&M are surprisingly nice too, and thick material. You can obviously go into more expensive brands but I never spend money on white items. I always stain them with something!

And also remember to spray the collar with hairspray so your makeup doesn’t transfer onto it x

They’ll never go out of fashion and next year, the ‘nice one’ can be downgraded to the day one.

And I’m always on the back foot of what’s what to wear. We go abroad at Easter so I end wearing the same things from years ago as the Summer stuff hasn’t arrived properly in the shops in March so out come the linen shirts, loose hippy trousers, a bangle or two. Some new sandals and volia. I’ll do!

I've been wearing one since the 1990s also!

I know what you mean about not getting the memo!

However, this website is quite good. They do regular emails with articles about key trends, and usually give examples from high street stores as well as more high end shops.

https://www.whowhatwear.com

I like the crochet cover ups. Short ones. Have white and black and neutral ones. Great over swimwear. With shorts or with 3.4 trousers

Don't crease .