With warm weather comes the perils of roasting in your two-piece suit. Whether you’re at a wedding or a work dinner, it’s important to dress the part while not getting a heat stroke in the process.
Yes, you can try to be creative and nix the jacket or go for a sockless loafer look, but when it comes to really dressing seasonally, nothing beats a linen suit. It’s timeless, elegant, and has a bit of that often overused but always enigmatic quality of Italian sprezzatura.
If you’re looking for a linen suit, there are a few takeaways to keep in mind that differ from their more traditional wool cousin. The main thing is to embrace the wrinkles. Linen isn’t a heavy fabric and, therefore, isn’t likely to hold a clean line for long. Try as you might to iron your two-piece linen suit, you’re fighting a losing battle, my friend.
What Sets a Linen Suit Apart From Others
- Fabric: Linen is made from natural flax fibers, which give it a distinct texture and appearance. It is typically lightweight and breathable, making it ideal for warmer climates or summer occasions.
- Breathability: Linen has excellent breathability, allowing air to circulate through the fabric and keeping the wearer cool and comfortable. This breathability is due to the natural moisture-wicking properties of linen, which helps absorb and evaporate sweat.
- Texture: Linen has a slightly rougher texture compared to other suit fabrics like wool or cotton. It has a natural, casual elegance that gives linen suits a relaxed and laid-back aesthetic.
- Wrinkles: One characteristic often associated with linen is its tendency to wrinkle easily. Linen suits have a more relaxed and casual appearance due to the natural creases and wrinkles that develop as the fabric is worn. Some people appreciate the wrinkled look as it adds to the charm and character of the suit, while others may find it less formal.
- Versatility: Linen suits are often considered more casual than suits made from traditional suit fabrics like wool or worsted. They are commonly worn for outdoor events, summer weddings, beach weddings, or less formal occasions. Linen suits can be dressed up or down depending on the accessories and styling choices.
Embrace the casual vibe of the linen suit and feel confident knowing your risk of swamp ass is minimal compared to those stuffy guys who are still wearing their go-to black suit (yawn).
The Best Men’s Linen Suits
Buck Mason Linen Hopsack Carry-On Suit
Buck Mason’s Carry-On Suits have become a staple in my wardrobe due to their casual silhouette and quality construction. The brand’s new linen suit is no different. Offering two neutral colorways, navy and natural, this suit can easily be dressed up or down, depending on where you’re heading, or simply worn as separates. As with all Buck Mason garments, it’s the little details that count, and the small army-inspired detailing really takes this suit to another level.
Buy Now Pants: $168
Buy Now Jacket: $228
Alex Crane Kite Jacket and Cham Pants
Alex Crane makes great linen garments. Period. And you can make your own suit combo with the Kite Jacket and Cham Pants combo. All garments are sustainably made and have an almost workwear lean to them, making them totally modern and easily worn for day or evening. The Kite Jacket has some French chore jacket inspiration and even more so with the charming yarn-dyed stripe pattern, which is somehow as classic as it is contemporary.
Buy Now Pants: $155
Buy Now Jacket: $195
Octobre Jody Suit
If you want to inject a little bit of la dolce vita to your wardrobe, go with this Jody Suit by Octobre. With its double-breasted construction and pointed lapel collar, it adds a little bit of elegance that contrasts nicely against the more casual tone that linen usually strikes. Pair it with a crisp white shirt unbuttoned dangerously low and a gold chain for added flair.
Buy Now Pants: $195
Buy Now Jacket: $415
Alex Mill Linen Suit
Sometimes off-the-rack linen can be a bit stiff. You don’t have to worry about that with Alex Mill’s linen Mercer blazer and standard pleated pant. Both have been garment-washed for an instantly lived-in feel. With its classically tailored approach to the basics, you really can’t go wrong with adding this suit into your wardrobe, which can easily be worn from spring all the way into early fall.
Corridor Linen Suit
I’m cheating a bit by adding this suit, as it’s a cotton-linen blend, but the gorgeous marled look of the linen agains the navy dye just looks too good to not include. A basic silhouette like this from Corridor means you’re going to get longevity without having to think too hard. And with a bit of cotton, you’re looking at a bit more construction, allowing you to get away with wearing this suit for a bit more formal occasions.
Buy Now Pants: $425
Buy Now Jacket: $525
Reiss Linen Suit
Coming in a variety of colorways, this Reiss suit offers a lot of variety at a relatively affordable price point. Made from 100 percent linen, it’s a breezy option for those who want to stay cool–and look cool–all summer long. The cut is traditional with a notched lapel and a slightly longer line on the jacket, making it great for those who value a bit of old-school charm in their closet.
