Few traditional materials, if any, are as well-suited to summer as linen. Of course, the range of technical, lab-made fabrics which each promise to be lighter and more breathable than the last will outperform it, but when compared visually to linen, they lose every time.
As well as being breathable and lightweight, linen is wildly hard-wearing. In fact, the oldest known garment that still exists in the world is a linen dress from Egypt from around 5000 years ago.
This is all to say, linen should be your go-to when it comes to anything summer-related. From tailoring to relaxed shorts, linen always brings an effortless aesthetic to ensembles. That’s why we hit the pages of SSENSE to round up five linen outfits to spark some creativity for the season.
With pieces ranging from BODE and Harago to Theory and Hed Mayner, it’s safe to say that there’s a linen outfit for every style. You just have to look hard enough (or scroll down.)
Shop five linen outfits for summer 2022 below.
Outfit 1
BODE's beautiful Peacock shirt sets the tone for this outfit, acting as the standout piece. The toned-down maroon color of it couples nicely with the grey-blue finish of Sunspel's drawstring trousers. Both pieces feature relaxed fits, playing into the nonchalance that linen specializes in.
Outfit 2
Theory's understated style is plain to see in the Noll Shirt. Nicely tailored and finished without any overt detailing, it's a serious staple for the summer months. Combine with Harago's lightly decorated trousers for a fit that verges on formal without feeling stuffy.
Outfit 3
While the previous outfit relied on minimalism in both parts, this outfit pits bold against toned-down. Erdem's eye-catching Phillip Shirt could be difficult to handle when styling. That's why pairing it with some ultra-clean pants like the Harmony Piero Trousers is essential. Both parts of the outfit emphasized each other.
Outfit 4
As above, this outfit thrives on contrast. Rag & Bone's Avery Shirt is about as pared-back as linen shirts come, making it the perfect partner for Harago's lively, striped shorts.
Outfit 5
To show the range of linen outfits, our market editors put together this slightly more formal duet. Hed Mayner takes care of both parts. The oversized blazer is a visual anchor, attracting the eye without being overly loud. That's left to the trousers which are tailored to a super-relaxed fit and finished with neutral stripes.
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