Shona Joy Summer Dresses and Sets: Linen, Striped Cotton and Jacquard

While the north turns to winter, Shona Joy’s Sydney home turns to summer, and the label’s warm weather pieces are some of its most wearable. Here are the linen, cotton and jacquard dresses and sets from Shona Joy at Coveti, made for a resort holiday, a summer wedding abroad and an Australian Christmas. For more, browse linen sets for women and designer mini dresses.

Linen blend

1. Marlowe Linen Blend Bustier Maxi Dress in Ecru

Linen blend (88% linen, 12% nylon) with a matte shine, cotton lined. Scoop neckline, gathered underbust, dropped waist with gathers, side pockets and an invisible zip. Fit: fitted through the bodice, gathered skirt.

2. Marlowe Linen Blend Pin Tuck Mini Dress in Ecru

The same linen blend in a mini with a stand collar, pin tucks down the front, wide cuffs, fabric buttons and a curved hem. Fit: relaxed, designed to sit away from the body.

Why linen blend? Pure linen breathes beautifully but creases fast. The 12% nylon in the Marlowe pieces helps the fabric hold its shape and recover, so it looks crisp for longer while keeping linen’s cool, dry handle.

Striped cotton

3. Omri Panelled Bustier Maxi Dress in Blue Stripe

100% cotton in a blue and white stripe. Scoop neckline, piping under the bust and bodice, dropped waist with gathers and side pockets. Fit: fitted through the bodice.

4. Omri Draped Shirt Mini Dress in Blue Stripe

100% cotton stripe with a shirt collar, draped tucks at the waist and a wrap mini skirt with internal and external ties. Fit: slim, fitted through the waist.

The Omri stripe also comes as separates: the Omri Oversized Shirt in Blue Stripe, worn slightly oversized, the Omri Wide Leg Pant in Blue Stripe with an elasticated drawstring waist and side pockets, and the Omri Short in Blue Stripe, with an elasticated waist and a flared leg. Wear the shirt open over the short at the beach and buttoned with the pant for lunch; see Shona Joy matching sets.

Sheer jacquard

The Bowery Jacquard Sheer Shirt in Bone and Bowery Jacquard Sheer Pant in Bone are a floral clipped jacquard in 100% viscose, light with some stretch, in Bone. The shirt has a collar, buttoned cuffs and a concealed placket; the pant has an elasticated tie waist, a relaxed leg and is designed to be sheer. Layer a bodysuit and a slip underneath, and wear the shirt alone over a swimsuit.

The summer base layer

The Sol Jersey Racer Back Tank in Black and Sol Jersey Double Layered Racer Back Tank in White are a lyocell and elastane jersey with a scoop neck, a low racer back and an embroidered SJ logo at the back. They are fitted, and they work under the sheer jacquard shirt, with the Omri pieces and with the Savanna satin pants.

Where to wear them

Resort holiday: the Omri set and the Bowery shirt over swimwear. Summer wedding guest abroad: the Marlowe linen maxi with flat gold sandals. Australian Christmas Day: the Marlowe mini and the Omri mini; see Christmas Day outfit ideas. Spring racing: the Omri and Marlowe maxis; see Shona Joy spring racing dresses. A note: Ecru is a soft natural off white, so as a wedding guest keep it for very relaxed weddings where the couple welcomes it.

Caring for linen and cotton

Linen and cotton soften with washing. Follow the care label on each piece, wash cold with like colours, and dry in the shade to protect the colour. Iron linen while slightly damp. Store linen loosely folded, never crushed in a drawer.

How Shona Joy sizing works

Shona Joy cuts in Australian sizes, and an AU size carries the same number as a UK size, so an AU8 is a UK 8. Coveti lists every style in UK sizes, and the size guide on each product page converts UK sizing to US, Italian, French and German sizes. Read the brand’s fit note before you choose: “designed to sit away from the body” leaves room, “slim fit, designed to skim the body” follows your shape without clinging, and “fitted style” sits close everywhere. Where the brand gives a sizing instruction, follow it. It recommends sizing up on the La Lune Lace Back when you are between sizes, sizing down on the La Lune Strapless Column, and sizing up on the Lambent bodysuit. For more, read is Shona Joy true to size.

Frequently asked questions

Does Shona Joy make linen dresses?

Yes. The Marlowe Linen Blend Bustier Maxi Dress and Marlowe Linen Blend Pin Tuck Mini Dress are 88% linen and 12% nylon, cotton lined, in Ecru.

What is the Shona Joy Omri collection?

Omri is a blue and white striped 100% cotton range: a bustier maxi dress, a draped shirt mini dress, an oversized shirt, a wide leg pant and a short.

Does linen blend crease less than pure linen?

Generally yes. Blending linen with a synthetic such as nylon helps it recover its shape, so it creases less while keeping linen texture and breathability.

Is the Shona Joy Bowery jacquard sheer?

Yes. The Bowery shirt and pant are a floral clipped jacquard in viscose, and the pant is unlined and designed to be sheer. Layer a bodysuit and a slip underneath.

What should I wear to a summer wedding as a guest?

Light, breathable fabrics in colour and print: striped cotton, linen blend and printed twill. Keep white and ecru for weddings where the couple welcomes them.

Related guides: linen sets for women, Shona Joy spring racing dresses, Shona Joy matching sets, Christmas Day outfit ideas, Shona Joy blue dresses, how to style Shona Joy, Shona Joy white dresses, where to buy Shona Joy.