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The Fashion Memo

How To Wear Linen Like A Fashion Insider

A heatwave savior, linen is a must in scorching temperatures – not to mention an effortlessly cool and versatile addition to your everyday rotation. Here, COLLEEN ROSS rounds up the breeziest pieces to invest in now and wear for summers to come

Fashion assistant Jasmine Dunne
Fashion
Whether you opt for a tailored vest and Bermuda shorts or a top and wide-leg pants, linen always looks chic

Along with lighter evenings, alfresco gatherings and an ice-cold spritz, few things signal summer quite like top-to-toe linen – and, this season, it’s had a seriously chic makeover with tastemakers embracing it in fashion-forward silhouettes and interesting colorways. Woven using natural flax fibers, linen is naturally very breathable and exudes understated elegance, making it the coolest choice (in every sense) for warm-weather vacations and scorching city days alike. Read on for the must-have linen pieces to add to your closet now.

Sophisticated sets

The beauty of a linen co-ord – or any co-ord for that matter – lies in its versatility. Staud’s striped ‘Corso’ top and matching ‘Mateo’ pants work perfectly together with thong sandals and a raffia bag for city breaks or dinner by the sea, but can also be mixed and matched with other vacation staples, too. Tailored silhouettes in a sturdier weave, meanwhile, are a savvy way to make linen more office appropriate – just be sure to invest in a wrinkle release spray to keep pieces like Posse’s ‘Rio’ vest and ‘Perri’ shorts smooth and crease-free throughout the day.

  • STAUD
    Corso striped linen halterneck top
    $215.00
    Select a Size
    x small - low stock
    small
    medium
    large - low stock
    x large - low stock
  • STAUD
    Mateo striped linen wide-leg pants
    $320.00
    Select a Size
    x small
    small
    medium
    large
    x large - out of stock
  • POSSE
    Rio linen tank top
    $250.00
    Select a Size
    xx small - out of stock
    x small - out of stock
    small - low stock
    medium - out of stock
    large - low stock
    x large
    xx large - low stock
  • POSSE
    Perri pleated linen shorts
    $295.00
    Select a Size
    xx small
    x small
    small
    medium - low stock
    large
    x large - low stock
    xx large - low stock

An effortless dress

There is nothing chicer than a linen dress in summer. Whether mini, midi or maxi, the breezier the silhouette the better – and when it comes to color and print, anything goes. Perfect for daytime events, such as garden parties or an outdoor wedding, Gabriela Hearst’s ‘Magritte’ dress comes in acid-bright yellow that works beautifully with optic white accessories. If you prefer more neutral shades, Nili Lotan’s ‘Lelia’ maxi is a failsafe choice for every summer occasion and the ideal canvas for a statement bag or shoes. For a contemporary take on print, look to Proenza Schouler’s effortlessly chic ‘Sybella’ dress, which is made from a blend of linen and silk, meaning it’s less likely to wrinkle, and patterned with abstract florals.

  • ZIMMERMANN
    Indra belted floral-print linen mini dress
    $845.00
    Select a Size
    00 - low stock
    0
    1
    2
    3
    4
  • GABRIELA HEARST
    Magritte linen midi dress
    $2,360.00
    Select a Size
    36 - out of stock
    38 - low stock
    40
    42 - low stock
    44
    46
    48
  • NILI LOTAN
    Lelia open-back linen-voile halterneck maxi dress
    $725.00
    Select a Size
    xx small
    x small - out of stock
    small - out of stock
    medium - out of stock
    large
    x large
  • PROENZA SCHOULER
    Sybella printed linen and silk-blend maxi dress
    $1,670.00
    Select a Size
    0
    2
    4 - low stock
    6
    8
    10 - out of stock
    12
Mini, midi or maxi – a breezy dress is an effortless one-and-done outfit
Top-to-toe linen in creamy shades of white creates an easy summer aesthetic

Top-to-toe white

Whether you’re attending Wimbledon or not, an all-white outfit will serve you well in a heatwave – especially one in head-to-toe linen. The Row’s ‘Junia’ blouse has a boxy, oversized fit with split sides for a breezier feel and looks super chic paired with wide-leg pants and beaded jewelry. For a contemporary take on summer suiting, try Polo Ralph Lauren’s single-breasted blazer with Staud’s broderie anglaise ‘Oscar’ pants and low-heeled mules.

  • THE ROW
    Junia oversized linen blouse
    $1,480.00
    Select a Size
    0
    2
    4 - out of stock
    6 - out of stock
    8
    10
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
  • FAITHFULL
    Jacques linen mini dress
    $320.00
    Select a Size
    x small - out of stock
    small - low stock
    medium
    large
    x large
  • POLO RALPH LAUREN
    Linen blazer
    $545.00
    Select a Size
    0
    2 - low stock
    4
    6
    8 - low stock
    10 - low stock
    12
  • STAUD
    Oscar embroidered linen straight-leg pants
    $300.00
    Select a Size
    0 - out of stock
    2 - low stock
    4
    6
    10
    12 - out of stock
    14 - out of stock
    16 - out of stock

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