ISO: Loose, flowy tops

The need for more flow-y, loose-fitting tops converged in my head with my YLF discovery of linen tees. I've spent the last several hours searching for linen or cotton (natural fibers, at least!) tees or tanks, hoping to get them for cheap ... 

Are these linen tees woven or knit fabric? I haven't been able to discern this. Is the fabric sheer? Because that kind of defeats the purpose, for me.

Where have you found them? I'm not having that much luck in the 5-6 stores I've checked so far.

In sum: 

ISO: v-neck or scoop neck; loose, flow-y; natural fibers; pullovers; suitable for a long-torsoed gal. 

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9 Comments

  • Inge replied 9 years ago

    Hi Word Lily,

    I think most linen tees are knit (someone please correct me if I'm wrong). Linen can be a little see-through (especially lighter colours), so often you need to try them on and see how you feel.

    My first thought is Massimo Dutti. They have a good selection of natural fibre tops and tees, and I think they still have a sale going on :-)
    The quality of their products is very nice in general, and online ordering (and returns) very easy.

    I'll add some examples below.

    Hope this helps.

    P.S. I also added some woven blouses, most of them are 100% silk, or a silk and cotton blend.

  • Inge replied 9 years ago

    Here are some more. Many of these stores are having a sale right now too :-)

  • amiable replied 9 years ago

    They're knit.  Last year I tried some on at Loft, and I think that Uniqlo has them this summer.  I'll keep my eyes open for others - I see that Inge has a bunch of finds linked for you too.

    At first brush, they're not as soft as I wanted.  But I've heard that washing softens them up significantly.

  • abc replied 9 years ago

    Hi WL, I saw some of your other posts and I am interested if any of these worked for you - basically if you found any tops that suited what you're looking for. I think we are similarly sized and I am looking for the same thing is why I am asking :)

  • Word Lily replied 9 years ago

    Sorry for my lack of responsiveness after asking for help! 

    Linen does soften up a bunch (more and more over time), so I'm not worried about that.

    Thanks for all the Finds, Inge!

    abc: I have a few in scattered virtual carts, but I haven't pulled the trigger yet — I found a couple tees at H&M and a couple tanks at Loft, decided to go for the tees with their longer season, but decided this after a major sale had ended, kind of. So now I'm stalled, again. Here are the ones we were most heavily considering, initially (as Finds).

    I've had a headache for 9 or 10 days straight now, so I'm not thinking the most clearly, either, which compounds this kind of decision making.

  • Laura (rhubarbgirl) replied 9 years ago

    My first thought was 'everywhere' - seems like all there is in stores right now is loose and flowy! So maybe when you're feeling up to it, WL, you can mention where you've already looked.

    I'm ambivalent about linen knit. It has a nice feel and drape but all too often it's sheer enough to require an underlayer, and develops holes rather easily. I find lightweight wovens more versatile in summer, and cooler besides.

  • Word Lily replied 9 years ago

    I've looked at Old Navy, Kohl's, TJ Maxx, Gap, Banana Republic, H&M, plus all those mentioned above. I have a couple things from Gap/BR in a cart, too, but they're more expensive than I was hoping for right now (all the BR stuff is long sleeved, too). TJ Maxx and Kohl's basically didn't have anything, ON didn't have anything in natural fibers. A few of the stores above didn't have sizes large enough for me, and some of them just didn't have colors I'd like available in my size (only yellow and orange left, for example).

    I actually don't have any woven tops right now, either. I was just curious about the linen knit. I found as my weight went up that they quit fitting, and after several years of them not ever fitting, and then leaving the office and thus not needing a more dressy/professional wardrobe ... I quit looking for them. And I haven't gone looking for wovens again yet.

    I have actually gone shopping and even purchased clothes in the past couple years, I promise! Just not all that much. 

  • Angie replied 9 years ago

    Sounds like you're sorted, Word Lilly. Knitted linen tees are a great idea. 

  • Joy replied 9 years ago

    My linen tees are all Eileen Fisher, some knit and some woven. I prefer the woven. They are pricey but if you watch for sales you can get pieces for what you might pay for a more inferior quality at full price.

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