Ada blouse in Irish linen

A timeless linen blouse with a nod to vintage elegance. Thoughtfully designed, cut and made in Lancashire.

Cut from beautifully smooth, finely woven Irish linen, Ada combines a relaxed silhouette with distinctive, considered details.

A gently structured collar brings character to the neckline, while carefully shaped two-piece sleeves create a graceful silhouette. Subtle shaping through the sides and bust darts allow the blouse to skim the body comfortably, with natural shell buttons completing the front fastening.

Finished with French seams and thoughtful hand-finished details, Ada is a quietly distinctive piece, designed to be worn and enjoyed for years to come.

Fabric

100% Irish linen, chosen for its fine weave, smooth handle and enduring qualities. OEKO-TEX certified and produced at a mill powered by renewable energy.

Design details

• Distinctive structured collar
• Shaped two-piece sleeves
• Side bust darts for gentle shaping
• Natural shell buttons
• Hand-finished details
• French seams for a beautifully finished interior
• Made to order in Lancashire
• Length adjustments available on request

Fit

A relaxed fit with gentle shaping through the sides. Designed to skim rather than cling, Ada is true to size with comfortable ease throughout.

Our models are a UK size 10 and wear a Withnell size 2 (UK 10–12).

Thoughtful Details

Every Withnell garment includes:

✓ A personalised ribbon embroidered with your name

✓ A repair kit containing matching thread and needle

✓ A recipe card showing the materials used, their composition and where they were sourced. 

These small details sit at the heart of Withnell.

Styling

Ada is best worn with our relaxed Denis trouser or Howcroft culottes and layer with our Joyce pinafore or  Jack Jacket during cooler months.

Caring for your garment

Made using carefully selected 100% linen woven in Northern Ireland and chosen for its smooth handle and fine yarn. 

• Hand wash or machine wash at 30°C
• Line dry where possible
• Warm iron if desired

A personal process

Our  handcrafted one by one process takes 3-4  weeks from order to completion. Each blouse is meticulously cut and sewn by hand with dedicated attention to detail, ensuring a truly personal experience. We can also include any custom length changes. We invite you to embrace this thoughtful approach and enjoy wearing our  timeless pieces for years to come.

All  our orders are shipped using tracked delivery

Read more about our process

The story 

Named after my grandmother, Ada, this blouse takes its inspiration from an old family photograph. I remember garden parties at the vicarage in Withnell, and the quiet elegance of the clothes worn at that time.

Those memories, together with the photograph of Ada, inspired a blouse with a distinctive collar and gently shaped sleeves. A little of the past, thoughtfully brought into the present.

Fabric & Provenance

Baird McNutt

With a heritage stretching back over 220 years to the banks of the Kellswater River in County Antrim, Baird McNutt continues a long tradition of Irish linen making.

Generations of knowledge and skill, together with time-honoured techniques, have established the mill's reputation for producing linen of exceptional quality and character.

For Withnell, I've chosen their Irish linen for its beautiful natural texture, breathability and enduring qualities. A cloth that softens with wear and becomes more personal over time.

Irish linen, thoughtfully cut and made in Lancashire. A connection between traditional textile craftsmanship and contemporary garment making.