Linen Suit Guide
If you’re looking for a summer suit that feels comfortable and doesn’t restrict your movement, linen is the best choice for that. In this article, we'll give you a brief history of the fabric and how it’s made into suits today. You will also learn about how to wear and pair them here as well.
HISTORY
Linen is a historied fabric. It’s been around for over 10,000 years, and we still use it today. Ancient linen was made by the Egyptians by crushing and spinning flax plants. It was so important to the Egyptians that it was even written about on the obelisks. These days, linen is made with more sophisticated tools, yet the process remains mostly the same. The flax is harvested, let dry, scutched, and woven into fine threads.
WHO HAS WORN IT?
There have been many famous and recognizable linen suits throughout the history of the silver screen industry. The most notable ones are Leonardo DiCaprio’s iconic black linen in the Great Gatsby and Daniel Craig’s charcoal grey in Spectre.
KEEP IT LIGHT AND CASUAL
Linen is definitely a summer fabric. It’s light, breathable, and comfortable beyond compare. The fabric allows wind and air to pass through its seams freely which helps to cool you down in the hottest days. If you’re looking for a suit for a summer wedding that’s not too stern, a linen suit is your best bet. Or if you want a suit to wear around the office every day, it’s also a good choice for that as well. What’s more is that linen is incredibly easy to pair. You can wear it with jeans, chinos, or slacks. As long as it fits with the theme and the formality, you don’t have to worry about your outfit looking out of place.
LIGHT OR DARK?
You can really go either dark or light when it comes to a linen suit. A beige linen suit is a great way to show off your personality while keeping the sleek look, while a navy blue one gives you a fair balance between casual and formal.
WHEN WRINKLES MIGHT BE AN ISSUE
Linen has a lot of wrinkles naturally, and it’s completely acceptable to see a couple small ones here and there. What you need to avoid is large and excessive wrinkling, and that will ruin the professional and coherent look. If you’ve left your suit in the closet for too long, make sure you dry clean it before wearing it.
WEAR IT WISELY
- Linen is a casual fabric, so it’s best that you keep your attire looking casual and light. A single-breasted jacket with notched lapels and patch pockets is a common choice for a linen suit. You can go with a number of different colors for your shirt, and ties can be optional.
- If you want a more formal linen suit, a double-breasted suit will tidy you up well. For this look, you might want to stick to a white shirt and a darker, more subtle tie.
- Linen suits give you a lot of freedom to work with when it comes to footwear choices. Penny loafers, drivers, and monk straps are something that you can try going for. Don’t be afraid to experiment when working with a linen suit.