Paris

How I style my navy linen maxi dress

As you read this post I will be enjoying the delights of Paris. If the weather is as predicted I shall be wearing my new navy handkerchief maxi dress from John Lewis. It formed part of my Paris Capsule wardrobe. It is linen and yes it does crease. I know that linen divides opinion. You either love or hate it. I am in the love camp. So let’s take a minute to discuss the properties of linen. In high temperatures, it is one of the coolest fabrics you can wear. I keep several linen outfits in our apartment in the South of France ready for the hot and humid months of July and August. There are some great linen dresses for sale in the local markets and many chic French women buy and wear them with confidence and an air of Je ne sais quoi.

Yes, linen creases. If you are going to wear linen this is something you will need to embrace. I give mine a quick press after washing and then relax and enjoy its natural qualities.

A simple linen dress is a wonderful blank canvas on which you can paint your own picture with the aid of accessories. Here I have added a pale blue light wool shawl, frayed edge straw hat and chain bead necklace. I have had my hat for several years (similar) and purchased my scarf and necklace in St.Tropez market.

My basket is also from St.Tropez market. Wicker baskets are very popular this year so there are plenty available in the shops at the moment.

Do you accept and embrace the properties of linen or is it not your cup of tea?

The photographs were taken in the gardens of Hampton Court Palace by Laura Hines, follow her on Instagram.

Chicatanyage

I write a fashion and beauty blog for women over 50 with the aim of inspiring mature women to continue to enjoy and have fun with their fashion choices. I have spent most of my working life in some way connected to fashion. I started my career in Fashion PR and then trained as an Image Consultant when my children were young. I subsequently worked in the corporate world running seminars, doing private coaching and speaking at conferences. I started my blog in 2009 as I wanted to share my years of experience working in the world of fashion. I truly believe we can continue to have confidence in the way we present ourselves. Our style may evolve with time and changing lifestyles, yet with a little knowledge and inspiration, we can all continue to have fun with fashion. As women of a certain age we are a growing demographic let us prove that we can also be a chic one.

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View Comments

laurelbledsoe says:

4th June 2018 at 13:11

You will look chic in Pari!
Dorothy says:

4th June 2018 at 13:39

I love linen, wrinkles and all. I live in the southern US and nothing beats linen and/or cotton for our hot humid weather.
Brenda Chell says:

4th June 2018 at 13:46

Thumbs up! You look lovely Josephine.
Wendy in York says:

4th June 2018 at 13:51

I love linen too . Perhaps it depends on your personal ‘style’ - I’m not the neat type & prefer to look more relaxed . It seems to need sunshine though & to my eyes looks sad in bad weather . So you don’t need a lot of it in the north of England :)
An Eye For Detail says:

4th June 2018 at 13:56

I agree: love a plain linen dress. The possibilities are endless. I have two that have been in my closet for over ten years, and I sitll reach for them, in black and red.
Anne Woodyard (@MusicandMarkets) says:

4th June 2018 at 14:09

I love linen, for both myself and my husband. I have a favorite black linen dress - kind of a fit and flare style - purchased over 20 years ago at Gap that I wear year after year, redying periodically to refresh when the color fades. I hope it lasts forever!
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  5th June 2018 at 10:34
  
  Hi Anne
  Gap used to make some great summer dresses I still have a couple. Sadly recently they do not seem to be using the same quality fabric.
Jasmine says:

4th June 2018 at 14:37

Looking lovely as usual Josephine. Unfortunately, I rarely (have occasion or the right weather to) wear dresses but I am very fond of my linen trousers - once broken in and no longer scratchy. However, as it's not the most robust material, I tend to wear them out quite quickly so I am always looking for new ones!
Lesley Pearce says:

4th June 2018 at 14:46

I love linen creases and all!
Mary says:

4th June 2018 at 14:53

Sorry, I dislike "pure" linen. Recall the time I spent a fortune on some from Ireland. Felt really untidy every time I wore the garments. Expensive lesson!
Must say I like your outfit, Josephine, apart from the shoes!!

I now tend to buy a garment with a percentage of linen : works for me.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  5th June 2018 at 10:32
  
  I agree Mary A percentage of linen in a garment an often be the answer.
Teddi says:

4th June 2018 at 17:42

I agree with Mary on two counts. I am more comfortable with a linen blend. Also, I don't own a pair of tennis type shoes. There are so many nice looking and very comfortable walking shoes by Dansko, Clark's and many more. I just spent two weeks walking on uneven rocks and cobblestones on the Amalfi Coast wearing a very nice looking pair of Dansko sandals. I have walked all over Europe and part of Asia very comfortably in Dansko and Clark sandals and flats.
- Chicatanyage says:
  
  5th June 2018 at 10:30
  
  Hi Teddi
  I agree linen blends are excellent you get the quality of linen often without the hassle. I have tried Clarks shoes and I did not find them very comfortable also as I have small feet in relation to my height they looked a bit clumpy. I will shortly be trying out some Van Dal Shoes so will report back. Don't know Dansko will check them out.