A linen suit is the ultimate choice for a summer event. It’s great for tracking through the grass and dirt at Lollapalooza or the sand and crowds at Pitchfork, but it also looks sharp in more formal settings.
Linen is one of the oldest woven fabrics, dating back to Ancient Egyptian times. It’s breathable and strong, and it wrinkles well, providing a casual look with a slight worn-in feel.
Lightweight
Linen suits are a wardrobe staple that can handle warm weather and special occasions without making you look overdressed. Light colours like beige and tan pair well with crisp linen dress shirts and white tie for a classic look. You can also experiment with printed pocket squares for a casual look. Wear a pair of brown penny loafers or tassel loafers with the suit for a polished style.
Linen does wrinkle a lot, but that’s part of its charm, and can easily be dressed up with carefully-curated accessories. Whether you’re tracking through the grass and sand at Lollapalooza or attending an important summer business meeting, your linen suit will keep you cool and comfortable all day long. With a little care, it can last for years.
Breathable
A linen suit is the ultimate spring and summer wardrobe staple. It’s been worn for hundreds of years because it is known for its strength, absorbency and – most importantly – its ability to keep wearers cool and comfortable in hot weather.
Linen is breathable, meaning that air moves easily between the fabric and your skin. This allows your body to cool down and helps you avoid sweat stains, which can be very embarrassing in a formal outfit.
For those who worry about the wrinkles that come with linen, we have good news: this fabric actually becomes stronger when it is wet. Of course, you should be careful not to get it wet in the first place.
Absorbent
Linen is an absorbent fabric, which means that it draws away moisture from the skin, keeping you cool and comfortable in hot weather. If you’re going to wear your linen suit in wet conditions, make sure you bring a jacket and pants so that you can swap in and out if the weather changes.
The skinny fit cut avoids the air of pensioner panache often associated with linen suits and can look very contemporary if accessorised well. Adding a waistcoat, tie or lapel pin will bring the suit right up to date.
While linen does stain easily, most marks can be removed by dabbing the fabric quickly with a damp cloth. Linen is strong enough to withstand dry cleaning, but try to avoid this as much as possible.
Antibacterial
Linen is an all-natural fabric woven from the fibrous material of the flax plant. It’s been used for clothing for thousands of years, dating all the way back to ancient Egypt. Linen is also known as one of the strongest natural fibers, even beating cotton in terms of durability.
It’s naturally antibacterial and comfortable to wear. Our bodies perspire to regulate internal temperatures, and if the fabrics we’re wearing aren’t breathable, this moisture won’t evaporate into the air. Linen allows our skin to breathe, keeping us cool and dry.
Unlike most fabrics, linen actually becomes stronger when it gets wet. This is because of its absorbent properties, which make it able to retain water and other nutrients. This makes it resistant to tearing and abrasion.
Stronger When Wet
Linen is less prone to shrinking than other clothing, so you don’t need to worry about it in the same way as wool suits. You can even wear a linen suit while it’s slightly wet, such as after being freshly laundered at the dry cleaners.
Just don’t hang your linen suit up while it’s still damp, as this can cause creases that may not easily drop out. Instead, hang it in a place where the fabric can fully support itself – like a wide wooden coat hanger.
Stick with lace-up dress shoes when wearing a linen suit, especially for daytime occasions like a summer wedding. If you’re aiming for a more casual look, monk straps are also a stylish option. The fabric’s ability to kill germs will also help keep you clean and smelling fresh.