Heat waves can pack a punch and have you waving your white flag at the idea of putting any effort into your outfit. However, adding a few breathable linen pieces to your summer wardrobe can help you withstand any sweaty situation.
Linen has long been a summer staple because it is a highly breathable fabric that can be crafted into a variety of styles. The textile uses looser weaves to allow even airflow, absorb any excess moisture (sweat, in this case) and regular temperature. Thus, compared to other fabrics, it shouldn’t cling to your body when your skin is feeling hot and sticky.
To help you find the best linen clothing, we rounded up the best editor-loved pieces to wear during your upcoming warm weather plans. Plus, we spoke with clothing experts about the best maintenance tips to care for your seasonal clothes in the best way possible.
How to care for linen clothing
“Linen is like a fine wine — regular wear and wash makes linen softer and more comfortable over time,” says stylist Whitney Keeffe. “Instead of trying to keep your linen like new, focus on helping it age gracefully by following care instructions and storing flat and in a cool, dry spot.”
When it comes to washing your linen pieces, the stylist suggests “to machine wash at a low temperature and hang or lay flat to dry” for best results.
Can you iron linen?
“I always say that if you’re going to wear linen, you need to embrace the wrinkle,” Keeffe adds. We know that’s not for everyone. So, “if your garment is a little too unkempt from sitting too long in the dryer or being stored all winter, you can iron it on low heat,” she recommends.
The best linen clothing, according to experts and editors
Best linen pants:
“I was hunting for an affordable pair of linen pants for an upcoming trip and landed on this option from H&M, and they did not disappoint,” explains editor Shannon Garlin. “I wore them on a desert safari in Dubai and the fabric was extremely breathable. It kept me cool and didn’t stick to my skin in the 100+ degree temperatures.”
Best linen pants for the office:
Fashion expert Melissa Garcia previously recommended these Target linen pants for everyday summer styling. She noted the ‘tailored’ appearance of the pants, thanks to the adjustable belt, make them extremely versatile to wear. Depending on what you style them with, you can wear these pants from the office to happy hour.
Best linen shorts:
Senior production manager Becca Delman calls the Quince Linen Shorts above “the best thing I have ever put on my body.” Some reasons behind her love: they’re made from comfortable, 100% linen fabric, have a flattering high-rise fit and are versatile for endless styling. What’s more to love?
Best linen maxi dress:
SEO writer Jannely Espinal calls the pick above her “summer uniform” for all of her festivities because of its elevated silhouette and comfortable feel. “I have worn it for work as well and gotten many compliments,” she shares. “A white linen dress is a must-have piece to carry for effortless style — even if it’s the one thing you pack for a trip, it can be dressed up or dressed down with the right shoes and accessories for multiple outfit choices.”
Best linen piece for men:
Stylist Liv Perez, who previously was on the 3rd hour of TODAY, described this shirt as “relaxed but refined, and works just as well with tailored shorts as it does tossed over a swimsuit by the pool,” she said, adding that certain colors (the navy) make it easy to dress up or down depending on the occasion for men.
Best linen set:
For a “vacation-ready” look, Perez previously recommended this set from Free People. “It’s the ultimate throw-on-and-go look that still feels put together,” she says.
It includes breathable, airy bottoms as well as a spaghetti strap tank that gives you room to pair it with a statement necklace or bandana.
Best for petites:
Available in both regular and petites, Eileen Fisher Organic Linen Pleated Culottes are “my favorite summer pants” for associate editor Annie Shigo. Naturally cropped with an overall relaxed fit, these pants should suit a variety of body types and heights.
Best linen button-down:
“I wore this with the matching shorts on a trip to Nantucket and then separately on a casual weekend. Both of those instances, they were styled really differently, so it’s definitely become part of my regular day-to-night rotation pieces in my wardrobe,” raves editor Kamari Stewart.
“For nighttime, it paired really well with some jeans, a white tank top and my favorite Blundstone sandals. It’s super comfortable and easy to steam out (which is nice because it also wrinkles really easily),” she adds.
Best linen skirt:
I’ve [San Miguel] struggled with the length of maxi skirts as I’m just shy of 5’3, but not with this one. The length doesn’t feel too long or too short for a variety of heights. For instance, it’s a true maxi length on me, and for my friend who is a few inches taller than me, the skirt fit them right above the ankle.
The linen fabric is also very comfortable. Some linen fabrics feel a bit rough on my skin, especially after washing, but the skirt quality has stayed consistent. I’ve worn it to the beach to running errands, and it looks just as great even past all of my sweaty summer days!
Best linen midi dress:
If she could, Stewart would buy the cami dress on repeat. It’s a one-and-done outfit she can wear for many occasions, but there’s a few of its features that she praises the most.
“It’s so comfortable, the perfect length (not too long), really flattering, can be worn with sneakers or sandals (of which I have done both) and also looks good with a jean jacket over it for those more breezy nights,” she raves. “It’s also worth mentioning that every single time I wear this dress, I get at least one compliment.”
How to shop for linen clothing
According to Emily Ziegler, vice president of merchandising for Petal & Pup, two easy ways to determine the quality of linen are to look at the texture and weight of the linen. “Quality linen tends to have a smooth texture and a substantial weight. Another quality of pure linen is it tends to wrinkle easily, which is just a characteristic of the fabric,” says Ziegler. “However, high-quality linen should have a good balance, not excessively wrinkling,” she says.
Alex Crane, founder/CEO of Alex Crane, adds that “the best linen is full-bodied, smooth and soft against your skin. It behaves more like denim, getting softer and more beautiful with wear.”
“Cheap linen, on the other hand, is paper thin and scratchy. It crinkles like a paper bag and it’s got no drape. It rips easily and only gets worse with wear,” explains Crane.
How to style linen during summer
For a classic day look, Keeffe recommends wearing a “classic linen button-down with straight fit jeans and a pair of sneakers or flat sandals (linen and Birkenstocks are a match made in fashion heaven).”
During the night, linen can be paired with classier elements and darker colors. The inevitable wrinkle of the linen will give your outfits a more relaxed look, but the right accessories can elevate any outfit.
“Opt for wide-leg linen pants with something more smooth and streamlined on top like a fitted knit tank or silky cami. Finish with some strappy block heel sandals and elevate the look by adding a third texture (think straw clutch, twill jacket or an open weave cardigan),” shared Keeffe.
Whether you’re planning your vacation wardrobe or looking for something light to walk around the city, here are a few linen pieces to keep you fresh through any summer heat. Also, these are a step up from your favorite tee-and-shorts combo.
Frequently Asked Questions
"Linen is definitely the better warm weather fiber. It's breathable and whisks moisture off your body," says Crane. "It dries super fast and doesn't hold odor. Cotton, on the other hand, absorbs moisture so it gets heavy in humidity, takes forever to dry, and will need a good wash after it gets sweaty," he says.
"Woven linen doesn't really grow with wear, so you can buy your regular size. Knit linen is a looser weave so it's best to size down," says Crane.
Ziegler agrees that if you prefer a more fitted look, you might consider sizing down. "However, it is always good to check the specific sizing information provided by the brand, as sizing can vary by style," says Ziegler.
"Due to the nature of the fabric, linen wrinkles easily and can shrink if not washed properly," explains Ziegler. "High quality linen can be more expensive than other fabrics due to the more labor intensive process of producing linen fibers," she says. So, it is best to gently machine wash with cold water and hang dry to maintain the quality of your linen clothing.
How we chose the best linen apparel
The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best linen tops, bottoms and dresses based on expert recommendations from stylists and clothing brand owners. We also conducted market research, filtered our searches for top-rated linen apparel and asked our editors for their favorite picks.
Meet the experts
- Whitney Keeffe is a former operations manager for Stitch Fix.
- Emily Ziegler is the vice president of merchandising for Petal & Pup, an Australian-founded fashion brand.
- Alex Crane is the founder and CEO of Alex Crane, a clothing brand whose products are made with 100% renewable, natural materials.
- Liv Perez is a style expert and host of the “Let’s Get Dressed” podcast and fashion newsletter.
- Melissa Garcia is a Shop TODAY lifestyle and fashion contributor. She has experience working on national brand campaigns, appearing on major television broadcasts and hosting fashion events for commerce destinations.
