Illustration by Chandler Bondurant
Yes, late August has a way of making you sweat through even the most stripped-back of ensembles. But have you considered linen?
For good reason, the natural fiber—which has been utilized as a textile since the days of ancient Egypt—has been called the “original performance fabric.” It is highly breathable, allowing air to circulate and cool down the body, and excels at wicking away moisture, ensuring that a sweat outbreak won’t leave you soaked. And while some take issue with its propensity to wrinkle, linen connoisseurs prize its rumple factor for the laidback vibe that it communicates.
Cooler than cotton and far more environmentally friendly than any lightweight synthetic, it’s the earth’s own answer to the hottest stretch of the calendar. With those positives in mind we’ve mined the current market for worthwhile examples from the likes of Ralph Lauren Purple Label, J. Press, Frescobol Carioca and more.
Ralph Lauren Purple Label Linen Shirt
Image Credit: Ralph Lauren Purple Label Linen shirts are understandably coded as laidback, but Ralph Lauren Purple Label raises the style to Olympic standards with details like genuine mother-of-pearl buttons and a wide spread collar. Wear above a lightweight wool barathea trouser for an elevated going out look or roll its sleeves to the elbow and pair to white denim for something more casual.
Drake’s Khaki Linen Pintuck Military Shirt
Image Credit: Drake’s Drake’s has sent linen into battle in the case of this military-inspired shirt marked by martial features including shoulder epaulettes and sharp pintucks. As battle-hardened as it may look, the shirt still has a soft feel thanks to a rinse wash and light pressing.
J. Press Made-in-USA Thomas Mason Light Blue Linen Shirt
Image Credit: J. Press Ivy retailer J. Press is best known for its oxford shirts, but the 124-year-old firm isn’t too uptight to lay back in linen. Case in point is this American-made shirt cut from Thomas Mason linen, complete with all the classic fixings like a softly rolling button-down collar, chest pocket and a box pleat.
Frescobol Carioca Antonio Linen Shirt
Image Credit: Frescobol Carioca Anglo-Brazilian brand Frescobol Carioca makes everything you could reasonably wear on a holiday to Rio, which includes its Antonio linen shirt. With a short spread collar and a length that works both tucked-in and not, it serves as everything from a beach cover-up to the main attraction of a going-out ensemble.
Zegna Linen Shirt
Image Credit: Zegna Zegna places a premium on fabrics, a position that isn’t lost in the make of this linen shirt. Cut from 100% linen as a popover with a three-button placket and a simple spread collar, it’s the easiest way to look put-together after a long day in the sands.
Anderson & Sheppard Classic Fit Linen Shirt
Image Credit: Anderson & Sheppard With its natural shoulders and softer construction, Anderson & Sheppard as long stood as the more relaxed of the Savile Row titans. That philosophy extends to its ready-to-wear haberdashery on Clifford Street, which offers this more generously cut linen shirt, which is available in 15 colors.
L.E.J. The Shell Collector
Image Credit: L.E.J. Eclectic English shirtmaker L.E.J. pulled out all the stops while making this eccentrically named overshirt, which is crafted in Italy from a washed, lightweight Japanese linen. Among its bevy of considered design details are a slightly dropped shoulder, unlined point collar and four pleasantly oversized patched-flap pleated pockets.
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