An essential part of dressing well is understanding the power of fabrics, knowing what textures and fabrication perform best in hot and cold temperatures. This knowledge will help you build out a wardrobe that not only looks good but is practical and offers you comfort no matter the temperature. For summer, one fabric you should wear and have mastery over is linen. Linen is built for warm weather, allowing you to breathe and maintain a moderate level of coolness while the sun roasts you from above.
The only downside to this fabric is how easily it creases. A gentle breeze is enough to undo the £12 you spend at the dry cleaners. Creases aside, linen is an essential summer fabric that fits perfectly in your holiday wardrobe or a staycation in the city.
Not sure me on how to wear it? Look no further. Here are my favourite linen looks
BUSINESS LINEN
This means moving from the traditional wool blend into a linen suit for work. This switch will grant you better performance without sacrificing the sartorial edge.
A linen suit has multiple purposes and can flirt between work and events such as a summer wedding. For longevity, you can separate the blazer and trousers and wear them separately.
LINEN SHIRT
If you don’t want to go full linen, you can swap your traditional cotton shirt for a linen alternative. I love linen shirts as the texture is more pronounced, giving your look more dimension.
CASUAL LINEN SHIRT
For a non-formal setting, I love wearing a linen tunic as the fit is slightly boxy with a subtle nod to a bohemian style.
LINEN TROUSERS
I prefer linen trousers in a relaxed/straight cut. This allows for more room for your legs to breathe. Wear with leather sandals and a linen tunic.
LINEN SHORTS
My summer go-to is tailored shorts, but I welcome the switch to a more relaxed fit casual linen shorts.
WEAR THE FULL LINEN LOOK
I love wearing a full linen look when I’m on holiday. My vacation wardrobe consists of a linen tunic, several relaxed linen trousers / shorts and short sleeve linen shirts. I stick to a monochromatic colour scheme and finish the look with espadrilles or buckled sandals.
What are some of your tips on how to wear linen?