Inspire me
What to wear to work now Summer workout outfits The best summer dresses
Free tracked express delivery on orders $160
Hassle free returns
Delivering to over 30 countries
Offers
3 for 2 panties Buy one vest and get the second half price
Give period panties a go How to care for your bathing suits
Fitting Room
See all Fit & Size guides
Buy 2, save 30% on Men's Formal Shirts
Easy summer outfits
Offer
3 for 2 baby clothing
The newborn baby checklist The best gifts for newborns
Buy 4 save 20% on school essentials 3 for 2 kids' clothing
Meet our recycled swimwear
The best summer bedding
More colours, styles and sizes
Get your office wardrobe back into shape
How to wear summer’s favourite fabric
Leak-proof underwear to help reduce waste
Tech-packed activewear to keep cool during the heat
Nothing says summer like an easy, breezy linen dress, whether you opt for a chic printed shift dress or something more whimsical, such as a Seventies-inspired floaty maxi dress. Thanks to pure linen’s cooling, moisture-wicking properties, it’s the ideal fabric to wear on hot, sticky days if you want to look sharp.
The flax plants used to make Marks & Spencer’s linen are sourced and grown in France and Belgium. Flax is a resilient crop that flourishes in poor soils and requires significantly less water and fewer pesticides than other plants, including cotton. No part of the plant goes to waste, with linseed oil being one of the common by-products of flax farming. Look for colours such as ivory, ecru, tan and grey to find linen in its natural, untreated form.
Pure linen is a hard-wearing and naturally moth-resistant fabric that can last decades if carefully looked after (plus, it’s fully biodegradable), so simple separates such as pants and shorts are a wise investment for your warm-weather wardrobe. A pair of high-waisted, wide-leg linen pants will see you through the summer in style and can be dressed up or down for any occasion.
Similarly, belted linen Bermuda shorts with a relaxed, roomy fit are a stylish alternative to denim cut-offs and work just as well with city-smart looks as they do dressed down with a T-shirt and flip-flops for a barbecue. Top-to-toe linen via a shirt and pants (or shorts) makes a seasonal change to matching loungewear, without compromising on comfort – an elasticated or drawstring waistband keeps things effortless.
Pure linen fabric gets softer and more pliable through washing and wearing, and ours is machine washable too, so it’s easy to take care of and hard-wearing, even when worn on high rotation. Blouses and tops made from linen are naturally antibacterial as well as feeling light and airy on hot skin, so they help to keep you feeling fresh. Consider your heatwave wardrobe sorted.
Every capsule wardrobe should also contain an assortment of relaxed, slightly oversized linen shirts that can be worn year-round. If you only buy one, make it a boyfriend shirt that can be worn tucked in or out, unbuttoned over a vest top or tee, and layered under a sleek blazer on chillier days. A billowing linen shirt also makes a sophisticated beach cover-up, perfect for keeping shoulders out of the midday sun.
Woven in Ireland by family business Baird McNutt using traditional techniques, Autograph linen clothing features designer-worthy fabric at purse-friendly prices. Baird McNutt has been processing fabric at its plant in Kells, County Antrim, since 1912 (though the mill dates to 1798!). It supplies material to some of Britain’s best-loved brands including Marks & Spencer, as well as to fashion designers and Savile Row tailors.
Autograph’s summer collection features beautiful linen pieces to elevate your wardrobe, whether that’s a brightly coloured suit to boost your back-to-work style, an elegantly minimalist camisole top or a versatile wrap skirt to pair with this season’s flat sandals and pumps. With Autograph you can explore directional shapes and fashion-forward prints, safe in the knowledge that every piece is underpinned with unmistakable quality and attention to detail, making it a joy to wear for years to come.
Words: Dulcie Emerson
Stylish-yet-comfy women’s footwear
Swimwear and sandals for fun in the sun
Make sleeping a breeze with these top tips