Style inspiration

Is it time to refresh the linen pieces in our wardrobe?

Is it time to refresh the linen pieces in our wardrobe? I love linen and always have. I don’t mind the creases. Chic women and Italy and France love their linens. I find that good linen pieces last a long time and wash well. The emphasis is on good quality. However when I did my recent wardrobe edit I did notice that some of my very old linen pieces did need replacing. The blue top I am wearing above was originally from Hopefashionuk.

The photo above was one of the last that we took in France before returning to the UK. We wanted to benefit from the beautiful light in the South of France which makes taking outfit photos so much easier. It really helps to capture the true colours of the pieces. I feel nostalgic looking at the beautiful view of the bay of St.Tropez in the background. Still we are hoping to get back there in mid-June.

Photos were taken in the streets of Grimaud.

I am missing these pretty village streets.

Is it time to refresh the linen pieces in our wardrobe?

I know that you are going to ask me where I got my pretty blue necklace from. The answer is as usual the local Brocante. I will see if I can find any similar.

Catch up on Our recent stay in a charming Chambre d’hote on our way back from France if you missed it.

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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  • I love the colour on you, Josephine, but linen is not a favourite of mine. I sent for some from Ireland many many years ago and the creases were dreadful. (These were the days of immaculate "turn-outs".) Put me off for life. Have heard modern (!) linen usedi n combination with other fabrics is crease-free but not risking it. (Are you growing your hair longer? I know you like the cut you are able to get in France. )

    • Growing my hair by default. The hairdresser I used to go to in St.Tropez seems to have disappeared (probably due to Covid) the shop was closed. I do have a good hairdresser in London but now I have moved further out I may not be having it cut so often.

  • I love that colour! I have become a fan of hope fashion after seeing you wearing it. .
    Your photos in the the village are lovely..wish I was there.

  • Hi Josephine, you look so very relaxed, gorgeous view. Love the blue colour of the top. I did notice the neclace ! Happy you had a lovely holiday.

  • I love your outfit on you!! I LOVE my linen and add more every summer!! I hate when I must let a piece go!! I live in Arizona, USA and it's normal for us to have 110 to 1155 degree weather in the summer. Infact, this past Tuesday was 100 degrees!! We are still in Spring!! So linen and cotton are y favorite fabrics during our hot to hot hot hot seasons!!! Thank you for teaching all how stylish we can be while comfortable as well!!

    • Hello Natalie
      I am glad you love your linen. I too hate getting rid of my old linen pieces. I still have a kaftan with some tears in it but I ignore them and still wear it on the beach.

  • I love linen but don't see many ladies in my "neck of the woods" wearing it so I feel "wrinkled" when I'm out. It does crease everywhere so I try to ignore it and remember how much cooler it feels!...and, I, too, am in awe of that necklace. The depth of the blue is fabulous!

  • I love linen! I am in Florence, looking for linen clothes to take home. Any ideas on good brands? Or stores? It seems that the quality is better here than the US, I wonder why.

    • In Florence it is worth looking for Rosso35 brand, high quality linen from Genoa.
      At a lower price is Benetton, they have good quality in jewel colours.

      • Hi Pru
        Thank you for joining the conversation. I agree Benetton has excellent modestly priced linen. I have finally found a store near where I live and they also have an online presence.

    • Hello Eileen
      I think probably the Italians have been wearing linen for a long time and produce some of the best quality linen pieces. They are comfortable with any creasing.

  • Notperfectlinen on etsy are my favourite for linen pieces. I wear it year round & layer it in cooler months.

    • Hello Ellen
      The US outlets I use are Boden and Anthropologie. I used to feature Nordstrom and JCrew but can't seem to find much on either these days. I occasionally use Madewell and Everlane. Marks and Spencer have a dedicated US site (which should transfer automatically when you click on an M&S link). All the others will ship to the US but I know this is not easy with duty etc.

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