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’).😘

It might well be, but it’s comfy in hot weather and flattering too - as least it is to my overweight menopausal bod! I’m a fan, wish there was more of it about.

Not a fan of elastic waist trousers however, they always make me look huge.

Definitely seems to be a crochet trend - I’m taking a cream crochet dress, a raffia beach bag, and a large floppy hat.

And also a white linen shirt, because that’s a classic.

I've been in Spain for five weeks so far. I haven't seen any white linen shirts, or striped men's shirts... no real shirts at all to be honest. LOTS of white button-up waistcoats.

There are a decent amount of co-ords too but I don't think I've seen any on anyone over about 24, or not very slender.

Shirring hides a multitude of expansion/shrinking sins - since I'm in the middle of massive weight loss - I'm team elasticated but actually looks fitted all the way at the moment :D

@MotherWol do you recommend any particular stackers.

I haven't noticed any particular trend items this year just more shorts in general & less dresses.

I wore a thin white cotton shirt printed with a small pale blue pattern, tucked into shorts, which I bought in Greece last year. Could be worn on its own also as a short dress.

I think if you are going to a holiday place overseas they often have better choice there than buying online before you go.

There seems to be two marked trends this year - the crochet and the ones like this.

I agree with this. On my med holiday every year there is no way I could wear anything with sleeves even in the evening. It is hot as fk. Also, I've found that if you suddenly have an urge for a dress, local shops are the place to get them as they are often lighter fabric than you would get in the UK.

I’ve been using a fine Indian cotton shirt as a cover up for years; it’s going to Hyde Park with me this weekend and then down to the south of France two weeks later. That’s a long weekend and, in addition to “the shirt”, I’m literally taking underwear, two linen dresses, shorts, a couple of tops and swimwear. Top tip I was given a couple of years ago… if you’re just going to be away a few days use contact lens cases for your moisturiser etc 😃

I’ve opted for a couple of these this year. I saw lots of people around the pool on my hol in Mexico last year but at the time my thought was is it not like wearing a jumper to the pool 😂 when shopping this year i’ve realised the benefits of no creasing etc. Also re shirts as cover ups, primark has quite a few in the holiday section. Lovely bright colours, not linen and quite thin/see through, but look nice over swimwear/ with shorts if needed (i’m small so they cover lengthwise too) and they are cheap, so not too much if getting spoilt by suncream.

Linen waistcoats with coord shorts or trousers were everywhere in Croatia and Spain.

Honestly the whole user might be AI. It’s creepy.

It’s all short vest tops and wide leg linen trousers atm

I like The Anna Edit, Alison Bornstein and Emily Grady Dodge. I also find it really easy to navigate for finding style writers to follow, and there are plenty of writers who focus on different age groups and styles rather than the more mainstream ‘what’s in if you’re twenty something and thin’. HTH!

I've noticed a lot of debi. But not the heavy thick kind used for jeans. The lighter more cotton type. I got a jacket this year made from it and it's been a godsend when it's hot keeping the sun off my shoulders but not being thick and heavy in any way. It also can be used to dress down an outfit/dress that needs to look more casual. I bought a just above knee length dress as well in similar fabric, it's casual so I can wear it with expensive trainers and a large tote or dress it up a bit with sandals, simple brown leather shoulder strap bag and lipstick. Love it because it's easy and fun. Maybe that is what you're looking for?

Chambray?

@HelloGreenyou need to get out more love 😂

Double cotton shirts are great for hitting the mark too. I have this one and it's great for the money. No need to worry about getting it dirty etc.

Yes!! Haha I didn't know it has it's own name

@onehorserace those are lovely - where are they from please?
Also, 'yes yes' to anyone who can post links to cheesecloth shirts (or anything. I LOVE a bit of cheesecloth) and/or waistcoats please ...

MeandEm has a cheesecloth section:

https://www.meandem.com/the-cheesecloth-edit

M&S has a pair of white (and black) wide cheesecloth trousers that are really nice.

I bought a pair of red ones from there too, so comfortable and light.

The white shirt is from Matalan and the earlier dresses - one from Roman.

Thanks everyone. I'm still reading.

Cheesecloth, I use Vinted, just type cheesecloth into the search bar.

My holiday is a long one. Thank you to those who have suggested buying abroad. I will be able to do that.

Last year’s ‘local regret’ was not buying one of the silk, ombre beach dresses that I coveted.

Crochet
fruit or veg prints
waistcoats
bermuda shorts