Best Cool Summer Linen Looks for Women Over 50
In the summer months when the temperature climbs, there’s nothing quite like the airy comfort of cool, breathable linen pieces. I know some of you may shy away from linen because of the inevitable wrinkles, but I say, embrace them (do you agree linen lovers?)! To me, the wrinkling is part of linen’s relaxed charm. Today, I’m sharing some of my favorite easy, breezy linen looks that are perfect for women over 50. These pieces strike just the right balance between laid-back and polished—ideal for everything from a backyard brunch to the farmers market or dinner al fresco. Let’s chat about some of the Best Cool Summer Linen Looks for Women Over 50 and beyond.
casual summer dresses, linen pants, eileen fisher, linen dresses,
Why It Works for Women Over 50
The timeless elegance, breathability, comfort, casual look, and moisture-wicking properties of linen are unsurpassed. Linen can be found at every price point. From linen shirts to casual summer dresses and linen pants, there is something for every shape and style.
Outfit Inspiration-Linen Looks for Women Over 50
Our lifestyle is anything but formal—casual is the everyday norm around here. We rarely find ourselves needing anything even remotely semi-formal, and honestly, that’s one of the things we love most about living in this area. It’s relaxed, unpretentious, and perfectly suited to the way we like to live.
Wine Tasting
We love wine and we try to get out and taste every week or so. Gone are the days when we could taste multiple wines at multiple places. We have our faves and we love to explore new and up and coming ones. You will find young girls dressed in pretty flowy dresses, women my age in classic linen trousers, skirts and everything in between. Pretty much anything goes.
I own this shirt and pants in three colors, and I think I may order the white as well. I am wearing a medium in the shirt and the pants. I could have used a small in the pants. They are so easy to wear as a set or mix and match. I am wearing the natural here with the new Janessa Leone packable straw hat ,and my favorite summer backpack, with the most comfortable flip flops my feet have ever known from Fitflop.
I recently wore the black, to our wonderful wine festival that is an indoor and mostly outdoor affair. If you haven’t ever attended, I highly recommend it. You can find more information about that here. I was comfortable and cool while inside or out. I am wearing the black with another comfy pair of sandals from Eric Javits (left) on super sale, my Janessa Leone hat, and All Saints Crossbody. On the right I am wearing it with the also comfortable Gracie fit flops.
I love the olive color way as well. I am wearing it with a favorite straw tote from Mary y Sol, and pieces from my turquoise collection.
Lunch with the Girls
I purchased this pretty linen shirt from Banana Republic and have worn it on repeat to multiple events. The linen pants (several years old) are from Eileen Fisher, fitflops, and tote from Etsy.
Dinner Out
I am wearing a, no longer available, linen shirt from CP Shades (similar here), lily skirt (not currently available in white contact them it may be available in one of their stores). Necklace from Paula Carvalho, pearl bracelet from Parham and Co , silver vintage, sandals laid back london.
This great top and pants from Not Perfect linen comes in every color and print imaginable (I love the gingham)and they will tailor to fit your body. Mary y Sol bag, Dolce Vita Sandals
Farmers Market Saturdays
I often meet local readers of the blog at our local farmers’ market. I am usually wearing lightweight linen pants (no more linen shorts for me thank you burn scars and varicose veins), a tee, a hat and a large bag for my purchases.
Here I am wearing my fave Bryn Walker linen pants, Michael Stars tee, Janessa Leone bag, and my trusty raffia baseball cap.
Weekend Brunch
We often hold Sunday brunches at our home during the summer for friends.
I own too many Eileen Fisher linen separates to mention. This year I added a jacket, sweater, and pants in this pretty fog colorway. I accessorized the pieces with my trust artemis slippers, and duffle.
Summer Concert
Paso has many outodoor concert opportunities in the summer months at Vina Robles, the fair and many other opportunities including the wonderful Libretto.
I picked up this pretty embroidered ensemble at J Crew this Spring. Again this top could be worn with white linen pants or as a set as I have shown here with my fit flops. The pants would be great with a simple white lnen shirt as well.
Editors Note: Fitflop just emailed me and offered my followers 15% off sitewide Use Code SHARE15
Here is a budget friendly option from Gap that I featured last week in my sunday faves. I love this hot sauce color way. The shirt comes in an array of colors, and the pants run huge fyi. I needed a small or XS. The bandana scarf that I am currently obsessed with due to the many ways it can be worn is from Destin and can be found here.
I post seasonally on linen. You might enjoy my popular post from last year ,How to Style Linen after 50 here, or Stylish Waysto Transition Linen to Fall here.
My friend Mary Ann has a great post you might enjoy on Summer Wardrobe Essentials for Women over 50 here as well.
Thanks for reading Best Cool Summer Linen Looks for Women Over 50.I hope you are having a wonderful week. How do you feel about linen? Do you live in it once the temperatures soar?
I love linen knits I don’t think they wrinkle as much and are a staple for me
Linen is perhaps my favorite fabric. It’s great for my sensitive skin. And nothing else would do last year traveling around Central America . Even cotton didn’t perform as well as easy, breezy linen. I embrace the wrinkles, and linen always gets softer with use. I find decent linen items at JJill, love my Irish linen from JCrew and recently discovered they high quality linen at Quince.
California gal moved to coastal NC three years ago and linen is the best for our hot and humid climate! You always make everything looks stylish. Thanks for your great blog!
Hi Lara
How do you like North Carolina? Thank you so much!
Hi Cindy,
I live in Mpls/St. Paul, MN. I avidly read your fabulous posts and collaborations and ALWAYS learn something new and valuable ~ thank you for your work. Our summers are usually quite hot and humid, so linen and gauze clothing works well. In our coldest months, I adapt your wardrobe ideas to work with our climate. Thank you for always providing your practical, honest, and artistic creativity!
Hi Patricia
Thank you so much for your kind comments! I so appreciate it!
Cindy,
I love linen! You look beautiful in every outfit.
Another great post Cindy! Linen and your fabulous turquoise and Mexican silver collection are swoon worthy! I’ve loved linen ever since I discovered Eileen Fisher 30 years ago. At the time we lived in the Chicago area and EF had a small outlet store in the suburbs. The “company store” as they call it has grown and relocated several times but it is always a must stop when I return to the area. The store is huge and displays are as beautifully styled as their retail stores with so much more inventory. Definitely one of my favorite stores so if you have an opportunity to visit one of their “Company Stores” be sure to go as you won’t be disappointed!
Hi Cindy,
Gorgeous looks friend! I am a big wearer of linen and my all time favorite is linen from Frank and Eileen. I scour for sales and Poshmark to find the color l like if it’s last season’s but for a busty woman the Eileen shirt always looks good on me. That and J Crew Baird shirts which are currently on sale. And l use washing liquid with no artificial brighteners like Seventh Generation Easy Dose Washing or organic baby washing liquid as l don’t want the color to dilute. Happy weekend.
That olive with the turquoise is simply outstanding. Thanks for all of the linen ideas.
I just love the look of linen on other people (and especially you, Cindy) but am not sure I’ll be comfortable with the wrinkles! I have a very classic style aesthetic. I also wonder if wearing linen is more of a regional thing. I live in Western PA, and although it does get hot and humid in the summer, I really haven’t noticed many women wearing linen. Out of curiosity, maybe I’ll ask how well linen items sell at some of my local stores.
Hi Barb
Interesting that linen may be regional. I am sure those of us who wear linen and live in hot climates it is a necessity, It is a relaxed aesthetic. If that isn’t your vibe, try cotton poplin which is very popular now. It is almost as cool as linen!
My Mom loved linen, and she would call the wrinkles “rich wrinkles”! She meant that linen always looks classic and has the look of being more expensive than it is. Rich wrinkles! Mom was right on so many things!
Hi Becky
That is hilarious…I think your mom is right!!
I love linen! It’s the perfect summer fabric and looks so fabulous as a set. Love that red on you!
Hi Jennifer
Sacramento heat =linen!!
I’m a huge fan of linen! It’s the perfect summer fabric. I love the red on you…I may have to try it.
hi Jennifer
I am loving the crayon red that is so popular this year!
I love linen and I do a couple of things that I think help with the wrinkles. I never iron my linen!
I wash in cold water and add white vinegar in the rinse cycle. Then I put in the dryer on air only with lambs wool dryer balls for 10 minutes then air dry .
My linen has a kind of natural look with a few small wrinkles but I think that’s just the way it looks and it’s ok with me. I love linen and I don’t like the way it looks ironed on me.
Hi Beth
I wash my linen in cold water as well, but have never thought of adding vinegar!! I don’t iron mine either. I just pull it and hang dry!
I never would have put turquoise and olive together, never, but it works. You inspired me!
I so admire your sense of style that embraces comfort. Thank you for continuing to inspire us! Living in the Deep South where linen is a lifesaver in summer, I consider wrinkles part of the charm. I had just purchased the short sleeve linen popover top from Quince in white, and know it will be a staple for me all summer.
You’re one of my favorite fashion enablers! Just ordered the embroidered BR shirt, I think it’s fantastic! Thanks for the inspiration.
Haha, I find Cindy D’s comment amusing about embracing the wrinkles. Maybe she only means having to do with linen but I’m extrapolating it further. I love linen and it’s been my go-to for years when I travel to, or live in, hot climates. Yes, it wrinkles but it breathes.
Hi Wren
Amen!! Therein lies the key!! Nothing is cooler than linen!
Hi Cindy, ….I must confess that I use your blogs as my very own fashion consultant, If I have an idea or a function I need to dress for , I revisit your blogs and then attack my closet. I have many pieces that I have grown bored with , but with your help , I find new ways to create some pretty nice looks. I’ll never be as stylish as you , but you give me the confidence to be bold and wear what I like and not worry about someone else’s opinion . keep on Cindy, we need you !!!!
Oh my gosh Pam you made my day! I try my best, and trust me I dress very casually 90% of the time. I try to keep myself “decent” for fear I will run into one of you all!! You guys inspire me everyday, and that is what makes this very time consuming job so rewarding-this community-I love you ladies!
Pam – I go one step further…. If Cindy puts together a great look that I could copy from my closet – I print it out and put it on my bulletin board in my closet! 😉
Do you find the Fitflops to be TTS?? Thank you for the excellent linen post. Yes, we must embrace the wrinkles.
Hi Cindy
Yes I do and Fitflop just emailed me a 15% off code for you ladies use code SHARE15
I love linen, but hate the constant ironing. Could you do a post on how you store, wash, dry, and iron all the pieces you have? Thanks…