There are so many reasons to wear linen. It’s moisture-wicking, regulates your temperature, is eco-friendly, and has a fantastic natural appearance. It’s a great option for your summer wardrobe. In this article you’ll find all the best linen clothing we’ve found, as well as plenty of ideas for putting together your linen outfits.
What is linen?
Before we get onto how to wear it, what exactly is linen? What are you putting against your skin? Linen is a natural textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. It’s one of the oldest known fabrics in history. You’ll be wearing a timeless, classic material.
What is the rule of wearing linen?
1. Break the rules
The traditional way of thinking, is to only wear linen for the summer season, and not for formal events. But, there’s no reason to stick to the rules. There are so many different linen options and linen blends that you can find a linen outfit that works for any time of year.
2. Embrace the wrinkles
Linen naturally looks creased. That’s what makes it so instantly recognisable as quality linen. Don’t worry about getting all of those wrinkles out. Just embrace the look.
What can you wear with linen?
You can wear anything with linen. Linen works for summer and more casual days. Also consider wearing a combination of fabrics and textures, which makes for interesting outfits. You can team linen with silk, leather, denim, or even your knitwear for transitional weather.
Angela @angelamashelle above (read her style interview here) shows how you could wear a pair of linen shorts with a tank top and leather belt to add a chic touch to your summer outfits.
Steal her look with this similar sweater, shorts, sandals, handbag, belt, earrings and sunglasses.
Is 100% linen good for clothes?
Absolutely. Looking at the label and choosing 100% linen is a good choice for summer because it will help to absorb any moisture and regulate your temperature. However, linen can have a naturally creased appearance. If you want a more tailored look, then choose a blend.
Why is linen clothing so popular?
Linen clothing is popular for many reasons. It is an eco-conscious choice, looks chic and casual, is great for vacations, keeps you cool, is breathable, and has great aesthetic appeal.
Should I choose a linen blend?
It really depends on the look you want. By blending linen with a synthetic material, you get a softer appearance that doesn’t crease so easily. Blending linen with cotton can also make it look smoother and feel softer.
Cathy @themiddlepageblog above (read her style interview here) opts for a stripe shirt with her jeans.
She is wearing a shirt and handbag from Sézane , jeans from AYR, sandals from Madison.Maison and belt from Hermès. Check out this similar pair of sunglasses to complete the look.
What styles does linen work for?
Linen can work for all style personalities, but in particular, it mirrors the styles of those with natural style, preppy style and old money style.
LINEN outfits
Now, let’s look at some of the most stylish linen finds we’ve discovered this season, as well as how to put those together into chic linen outfits.
linen tops
Choose tank tops, T-shirts and shirts for warmer weather. You can always wear your shirt as a beach cover-up too. Look out for linen blends as the weather cools down.
Eileen Fisher Boxy Ballet Neck Organic Linen Top – J.Crew Camp-collar Featherweight Linen Blend Shirt – rag & bone Holland Linen-Blend Tunic – Reiss Stevie Striped Knit Linen-Blend Tee
Sharryn @thestylishwoman above (read her style interview here) looks super chic in her all-linen outfits.
Get her look with this similar top, pants, sneakers, earrings, necklace and sunglasses.
Linen jackets
When choosing a linen jacket, decide on the level of structure and formality you want. For a casual, more creased feel, go with 100% linen. For a more formal, structured look, choose a linen blend. As well as jackets, look for sleeveless choices that you can layer or wear on their own.
J.Crew Stretch Linen Blend Helena Blazer – Open Linen Linen Blend Blazer – Toccin Adele Tie-Front Linen Vest – Eileen Fisher Linen Silk Satin Round Neck Jacket
J.Crew Stretch Linen Blend Helena Blazer – GAP Ribbed Tank Top – J.Crew Tropez Linen Shorts – André Assous Anouka Espadrille Wedge Sandal – JNB Top Handle Straw Clutch – Ettika Layered Chain Pendant Necklace
pants & shorts
Linen pants and shorts are fantastic choices for summer. Pack at least one pair of linen shorts and one pair of linen pants for your vacation wardrobe. Look for both plain and patterned choices. Both look great.
J.Crew Wide-leg Essential Linen Pants – Toccin Layla Wide-Leg Pants – Ciao Lucia Pietro Check Cotton-Linen Pants – J.Crew Tropez Linen Shorts
Toccin Adele Tie-Front Linen Vest – Toccin Layla Wide-Leg Pants – Calvin Klein Gayle Pump – JNB Top Handle Straw Clutch – Gas Bijoux Luna Wave Earrings
linen dresses
Linen dresses are a fantastic choice for summer. They look instantly stylish and you don’t need many accessories to go with them. Just add a chunky necklace or pair of tassel earrings, and team with a pair of sandals.
J.Crew Seamed Linen Dress – Boden Carla Linen Midi Dress – J.Crew Capitaine Linen Shirtdress – Farm Rio Yard Linen Midi Dress
Carmen @carmen_gimeno above shows off a perfect look with a linen dress by adding a statement necklace, wide belt and sliders. Note she matches the print in her bag to her necklace color.
Check out this similar dress (another option here) sandals, handbag, belt, necklace and sunglasses.
shoes to go with your linen outfits
You can look out for shoes made of linen, or just choose shoes in other natural fabrics to complement your linen outfit.
Chloé Woody Linen Slides – Calvin Klein Gayle Pump – André Assous Anouka Espadrille Wedge Sandal – TOMS Redondo Slip Ons
J.Crew Capitaine Linen Shirtdress – TOMS Redondo Slip Ons – ForestlandLinen Linen Bag – SylcaDesigns Wooden Statement Necklace
Linen accessories and accessories to go with your linen outfits
If you just want to add a little bit of linen to your outfit, then a linen scarf is a great choice. Also look for linen bags. Raffia bags are another good choice because they have a similarly natural appearance. Chunky styles of necklace and earrings look good against linen fabrics.
ForestlandLinen Linen Bag – JNB Top Handle Straw Clutch – SylcaDesigns Wooden Statement Necklace – Ettika Layered Chain Pendant Necklace – Gas Bijoux Luna Wave Earrings – LUSIE’S LINEN 100% Linen Scarf
Eileen Fisher Boxy Ballet Neck Organic Linen Top – Ciao Lucia Pietro Check Cotton-Linen Pants – Chloé Woody Linen Slides – ForestlandLinen Linen Bag – LUSIE’S LINEN 100% Linen Scarf–
Don’t forget your linen sets and pajamas
Another good choice for summer is to look for matching linen sets. A set is incredibly versatile as you can wear together and really up the formality for evenings out. Add statement jewelry and sandals with a bit of a heel to complete the look. Or, you can wear as separates to create lots of different outfits. A good choice when thinking about vacation packing.
If you struggle to get to sleep because you’re too warm, then linen pajamas are well worth investing in as they will regulate your body temperature as you sleep.
Petal & Pup Marnie Tank & Wide Leg Pants Linen Set
Nordstrom Double Gauze Shirt & Shorts Cover-Up Set
J.Crew Linen-cotton Blend Pajama Short Set
Nicola @40notfrumpy above looks fabulous in her green linen shorts set, that she teams with on-trend chunky sandals.
Recreate her outfit wit this similar linen set, sandals and tote.
Best brands for LInen
If you’re looking to add some linen to your closet, then these are some of the best brands to look at. Don’t forget to tell us your own favorites in the comments at the bottom.
Your linen outfits together in one capsule
Below, you can see the linen outfits from above together in one capsule. So, you can see how you can change up the jackets, tops and accessories to create different looks.
shop the best linen pieces in stores now:
Continue reading:
- The Best Women’s Shorts That Fit And Flatter Women Over 40 Of Any Shape
- The Best Women’s Beach Outfits For Your Summer Vacation
- Stylish Travel Clothes For Women That Are Chic And Comfortable
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Feature image by Sharryn @thestylishwoman
Sylvia is 40+style’s editor-in-chief and has been helping women find their unique style since 2011. An alumni of the School of Color and Design, she is devoted to empowering women of any age to look and feel their best. Read more about Sylvia and 40+style on this page.
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I love Carmen’s look!