You may want to check out the linen and washable silks from Quince. I love their basics.

I’ve spent most of this summer wearing midi to maxi length full skirts. My tops are colorful linen, boxy tanks.

Do you sew?

What I’ve been wearing looks like this one, but are pricey. I just may dust off the sewing machine and try making this. The top takes one yard, most linen is under $13.00/yard.

https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2017/08/29/phoebe-essential-linen-tank-tutorial/

I have a navy skirt just like that and pair it with a knit 3/4 sleeve sailor striped top, and I also have a navy knit sweater with white polka dots. Both look good. Plus a white lace camisole for under the sweater.

Bummer. I put the lavender top that Funky posted in my cart and by the time I got back to checkout, it was sold out!!!!

I like the boxy linen from Vivid Linen that Carol posted, but returns are to Hong Kong. The other one Carol posted is sold on Etsy from Lithuania.

Maddielee, I was taught to sew. When DD was pregnant she couldn’t find any maternity dresses she liked. I thought I could easily run up a couple of sun dresses for her. My mantra became ”never again.” However, I may give this tank a try. It certainly looks easy enough. Wonder if I could use pre-made bias tape instead of making my own (assuming I can get a color match)?

Feathers, glad to hear you like Quince. I get a lot of their ads on IG. I like the look but I’ve been skittish about the company and the quality.

Thanks (?) to this thread, I just came from Talbots. I bought 7 items for $162. I was willing to buy more but couldn’t find anything else. I forget Talbot exists, but I’m not much of a shopper. I don’t want to sign up for emails because companies always send too many, regardless of your preferences.

@Funkyart the first Talbot top in your post is extremely thin material. To me, it looked cheap in person.

Flax brand and Habitat both have linen sleeveless tops that are short enough so you don’t have to tuck them in. Just got one at a local store.

A lightweight linen is one of the easiest fabrics to work with, IMPE.

And you most certainly could use purchased bias tape, rather than making your own. I see it's turned to the inside, so it's not super obvious.

@hhireno, the reviews of that first top often had the same comment - it looks cheap IRL.

If you sign up for Talbot’s email, your inbox will never get lonely!!

I have thought way too long about this but I do think you should wear a blousy T-shirt of sorts. Something that will cover a muffin top but it's tucked in and defines the waist. However, if that is not a good look for you, I think you should abandon the skirt altogether and look for something else.

@hhireno and @bbstx -- YES. I knew there was a reason I didn't buy it! Now I remember that the reviews were terrible!

I am bummed that the other shirt sold out on you-- the exact thing happened to me a few weekends ago. I liked that it was ever so slightly more refined than a tshirt.

I ordered a few linen tops from this Etsy seller when I went to France. You can give your exact measurements. Annie is a real pleasure to deal with. I washed the shirts, hung, then ironed when still half wet. They were pretty easy and can be dressed up or down. Really nice quality.

Colors:

If you don’t like this one there are others.

https://www.etsy.com/listing/126933095/custom-sleeveless-linen-swallow-splits?click_key=23dcf368d0d51f2a19dbf71eba4b81558e33da81%3A126933095&click_sum=6dcd8d28&ref=shop_home_active_237&frs=1&sts=1

If you don’t mind wearing recycled clothing, try the Eileen Fisher Renew site.

https://www.eileenfisherrenew.com/

You can enter your size, type of fabric and clothing type, etc and shop away for some great bargains in basic tops. I agree that skirt is cute, but perhaps way too long and voluminous. I would definitely consider some inexpensive tops and bottoms for the cooking school and save the nicer stuff for your later tour.

Yes, I have to agree! I could never wear a white skirt cooking.

I'd be fine in a white skirt -- but putting on a white shirt is an invitation to a splatter.

Bbstx, Fabrics Store has a Facebook group (Fabrics-Store(dot)com Sewing Group and some folks there have been doing some different edge treatments to avoid bias tape. But making bias tape isn't that hard once you've done it and you can get tools that help you fold and iron it at the same time. And, I don't know about linen, but you can find bias tape and binding tape (not on the bias and used for quilts) on Etsy. I bought some to match a discontinued fabric I have so I wouldn't have to worry about subtracting the binding from what I had.

The picture above with a white skirt paired with a blue collared, tied at the waist shirt is about the length I’d hem the skirt. That length gives you more choices of tops for a proportional balance.

Semi-good news. Talbots apparently restocked the lavender shirt overnight. I woke up way too early this morning, checked Talbots, there it was. I bought it.

Put on the white skirt yesterday and tried out several of the suggestions. The best look was my chambray shirt tied at the waist (similar to some of the pictures posted by MDLN). Next best was a navy and white quartrefoil print tee-shirt tucked in and then bloused out to hide my pudge. Marginally acceptable was the navy tank tucked in and bloused out.

@OutsidePlaying, I looked at EF yesterday because I know sometimes she shows short, boxy tops. I couldn’t find any on the regular site. Didn’t think to look at her Renew section. I’ve got one in my cart now from the link you posted!

@Bumblebeez SC Zone 7, I agree with you. I may be trying too hard to make something work that just isn’t going to work. But it has 3 important pros: It will be cool and comfortable; it will cover my knees for visits to religious sites; it packs fairly small. I haven’t tested the 4th potential pro yet: ease of hand washing and quickness of drying. I won’t test that until I’m convinced that I’ve got a good look. If I need to re-sell, I want to be able to list it as NWT.

The skirt is not for wearing while cooking. It is for touring. The cooking school program is a blend of cooking and sightseeing. The sightseeing is somewhat food related, although because we are in Italy, there will also be visits to historical/religious sites. We will visit vineyards, olive groves, perhaps even watch a truffle hunt. We will eat at local restaurants, too. Oh, and when we are cooking, they provide large aprons!

@lascatx, thanks for the tip about FB group. I’ve bought linen from Fabrics-Store.com before, but it was for home decor projects. I’ve always been pleased with their quality. I think I could probably handle making the bias tape, but I’m impatient and get exasperated trying to do things like that and end up making a mess of it.

@just_terrilynn, what did you wear the swallow-tail shirt with? I can’t see it with this full skirt, but I like the look!

Oh, and what would y’all do with that tie in the front of the skirt. It will draw the waist up a bit but I don’t need it to. When I tried it on with the chambray shirt, I just did a simple knot and flipped the tails to the inside of the skirt. For the tank, I tied it in a bow and let the tails hang down.

Love the tied shirt idea and glad you liked how it looked on you with the skirt.

Bbstx, I wore a wrap skirt or maybe this was a skort (?).. My goal is comfort. I’m not sure the name of this particular linen shirt but I didn’t buy anything that needed to be tucked in. I pack a uniform of sameness every time I travel that includes, blk & white slim pants w/ stretch, non-tuck shirts, skirt, blk & white shorts, and always my beigy nude Flexx Band Together sandals with same color bag. I also take a natural color med to heavier weight linen wrap that I keep rolled up in my bag. It comes in handy to sit on in endless circumstances.

When I die and the family looks through old photos they will think I only ever had two to three pairs of shoes in my life lol.

edited to remove temporary photo.

😆 @just_terrilynn

Don't you have a husband and sons? Only any DIL’s will notice your lack of shoe diversity. And if that’s the worst they think of you, you’re a great MIL.

@just_terrilynn, by the time I get home from a trip, I want to burn my clothes I’m so tired of looking at them. I go for comfort, easy care, and utility. Is your linen wrap still available? If so, would you send a link, please?

I’ve really contemplated taking only the 3 EF dresses along with shoes and accessories. They rinse out easily and dry beautifully.

I generally use The Vivienne Files 4x4 template to plan my clothes. Most often my summer color scheme is navy, cream, and an accent color or two. I also try to plan so that every top goes with every bottom.

@rubyclaire, I’m now looking for a shirt that is slightly lighter weight than my chambray shirt. J. Crew has a nice light blue linen shirt but it is described as ”slim fit.” Like ”body con,” I avoid anything called ”slim fit.”

@bbstx You might want to check out Grayson's tissue or washed cotton shirts. Very lightweight and nice fit.

I have yet to make the tied shirt style look good on me-- but I am very long waisted so that may be part of it. I also have broad shoulders and a wide rib cage (unrelated to the extra lb-- pure bone! LOL). I love that it will work for you-- it's such an easy look!

I do go with the slightly bloused tuck look and it works well for me-- I mentioned in another thread this morning that my summer "uniform" for hot outdoors is a thin tucked tee with EF linen pants (btw.. many are on sale now! I bought a few colors this season but black and cilantro are my two favorites!) I switch up jewelry-- but not as much as I should. I may be in a style rut! LOL

So excited for your trip! It sounds wonderful!

@rubyclaire, do you know how they look unironed?

Yes - they look a lot like linen. If one were to take care - hang, smooth out wrinkles and maybe use the Downy Wrinkle release - they would probably look better. I typically throw mine in the dryer and then iron. May not be ideal for your travels...

LL Bean. They have other linen tops.

Funky, I have the same problem buying shirts with my wider shoulders and rib cage. I am shorter waisted though. The Etsy buys took the pain out of shirt shopping as I just picked a top and gave my measurements. I did find half a handful of cheap tops so it all averaged out a bit

I love the ones you bought, JT-- it may be a treat I allow myself when I have lost sufficient weight.

Bbstx, it looks like my linen loose woven hand knotted fringe shawl scarf is nolonger available 😞

Of course not, terrilynn! Actually, now that I think about it, I think Fabrics-store.com has instructions for a DIY linen shawl. @maddielee have you seen instructions on the Fabrics-Store site for a shawl? I have a hard time navigating that site for patterns and instructions.

@bbstx maybe this?

https://blog.fabrics-store.com/2011/12/17/diy-linen-scarf/

@maddielee, Thanks! I think that is it! That scarf comes out to be 36 x 59-ish. See any reason it couldn’t be larger like a 59 x 72, fringing the 59” dimension and leaving the selvedge edges for the 72” dimension?

The top Maddielee shows could be cute with the skirt.

I think 72” length for a shawl would be fine. I worry that 59” width would make the whole thing overpowering. Unless you folded it to make it 29.5” in width?

OK, I grabbed what I have handy - a beach towel ( 32” x 64”). size would work for me if it was longer, like 72”. The 32” part also needs to be closer to 36” . Have a beach towel handy for trying on @bbstx? 🙂

Something started dinging in my head when I looked at your message. Bleusalt has a wrap that is 44x 108 THREE YARDS LONG!! They also have a Two Yard Wrap. It is also 44” wide. So, 54” may be a bit much. The Bleusalt wrap is Tencel with a touch of Spandex. I think I’d like linen better.

https://bleusalt.com/products/the-wrap?variant=31982293483633

Three yards is the length of my dining table with one leaf in. With that much fabric you could pitch a tent!

😂😂😂

IMO, underpacking's not such a bad idea. If I were traveling to Italy, I'd want to do some shopping for clothes and accessories there.

I LOVE that white skirt. I looked it up to buy it! I think if your clothes are beautiful....which this is....a peplum blousy top....Old Navy. Scrunch up the sleeves if you get hot...but the fabric is very thin...

Link

Bbsxt, my shawl/wrap is 6' 1.5" L x 24" W without fringe. Each end has 2.5" of knotted fringe. I am just under 5’5”.

Gorgeous! And you described yourself as "dumpy" .... you are the polar opposite! So elegant. I am glad I got to see the photos before you removed them.

@amykath, I don’t think just-terrilynn described herself as ’dumpy’; it was bbstx.

Dee, thanks for pointing that out. I was taking a quick break from work and commented. I need to pay closer attention.

@just_terrilynn, love the weight and look of your shawl. I think I would like one a little longer but maybe not 3 feet longer like the 3 Yard Wrap from Bleusalt. Thanks for posting.

@amykath, thanks for confusing me with the cute picture of terrilyn. I take it as a high compliment!

ETA: I’ve ordered a linen tee from LLBean and a linen tank-ish top from Eileen Fisher Renew.

I ordered a skirt from Renew… I did not even know that site existed!

Bbtx, looks like you have a good plan. I’ll take the photos down now as I only wanted to give an idea of my wrap size in regards to my height and where it falls within that.

I think that skirt would look lovely with a bateau neck tank top. Something simple.

Talbot's Bateau Neck Tank

pricklypearcactus, cute top!

The Quince top and the Eileen Fisher top both just arrived.

Quince: Nice fabric. Not a handkerchief weight linen but not heavy either. However, the fit is extremely odd. The armholes are HUGE and the body is skinny. It is like the armholes were cut for someone extremely obese whose midriff is model thin. Literally half of the side of my bra cup was visible and I couldn’t get it pulled over my hips. SMH.

Eileen Fisher: Loved it BUT…when will I learn to order down a size in EF clothing?!?! The armholes are big, but not as big as the Quince top. The body is a little wide too. Unfortunately, since it was from EF Renew, there isn’t much choice in sizes. I like it enough to consider having it altered to fit.

Oh, and the lavender top from Talbots with the interesting neckline also arrived. After having it go out of stock and then be re-stocked, I was skeptical that I would ever receive it. I did and it fits great and looks great! Thanks again, @Funkyart.

So glad the talbots top worked for you-- I am still kicking myself that I didn't order it before they ran out in my size!