WEAR IT YOUR WAY:
LINEN OUTFIT IDEAS
Sunshine-ready linen outfits to see you through the season, from versatile linen dresses and shirts to wide-leg trousers and shorts, plus luxurious Irish linen women’s clothing from Autograph
Discover our eco-friendly linen dresses
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, as seen on Fatma Husam. 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.
Linen shirts and sun tops are a summer must-have
Pure linen fabric gets softer and more pliable through washing and wearing, and ours is machine washable too, so it’s super easy to take care of and hard-wearing even when worn on high rotation. Blouses and sun 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 lightweight knit on chillier days. A billowing linen shirt also makes a sophisticated beach cover-up, perfect for keeping shoulders out of the midday sun.
Check out our guide to how to style an oversized shirt for easy-breezy style all summer long.
Stock up on staple linen shorts and trousers
Pure linen is a hard-wearing and naturally moth-resistant fabric that can last decades if looked after carefully (plus, it’s fully biodegradable), so simple separates such as trousers and shorts are a wise investment for your warm-weather wardrobe. A pair of high-waisted, wide-leg linen trousers 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 chic 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 trousers (or shorts) pairing makes a seasonal change to matching loungewear, without compromising on comfort – an elasticated or drawstring waistband keeps things effortless.
Learn about luxurious Irish linen from Autograph
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) and supplies material 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 unmistakeable quality and attention to detail, making it a joy to wear for years to come.
Women’s Autograph linen clothingSee Autograph’s new collection
Words: Dulcie Emerson
