There’s a certain point each summer when the city heat makes you question why you ever bothered with clothes in the first place. That’s precisely where your summer linen essentials come in. Light, breathable and disarmingly louche, it’s the fabric that makes 30-degree days feel vaguely manageable, if not positively rakish.
Unlike those shiny synthetics that cling and suffocate, linen hangs loose away from the body, letting air do its thing. It creases in all the right places and so never looks too polished, which is really the point: you want to look like you’ve been somewhere worth being.
So, rather than sweat through another August in clingy poly-blends, consider this your primer on the only pieces you really need. A handful of well-chosen linen staples – camp-collar shirts, shorts, drawstring trousers, jackets – and you’re sorted from dawn coffee runs to dusk spritzes. Minimal effort, maximum breeze.
Why linen is the ultimate summer fabric
Let’s get the obvious bit out of the way. Linen breathes. Better than cotton, better than synthetics, better than whatever you thought you’d get away with. It’s naturally moisture-wicking, so you’ll feel marginally less clammy on the morning commute or during that garden wedding where someone insisted on a midday ceremony in the blazing sun.
It’s also surprisingly tough. Good linen softens with each wash, but it doesn’t lose its shape or strength – which is why those old linen shirts always look better the older they get. Linen is also a friendlier option for the planet. Flax, the plant linen comes from, needs less water and fewer chemicals than cotton, which makes it a rare example of something that’s both practical and pleasingly virtuous.
Treat it kindly – cold wash, skip the tumble dryer, iron it only if you absolutely must – and it’ll last you for summers to come. And if you get a few creases? Good.
The key summer linen essentials for men
The camp-collar linen shirt
If there’s one piece that earns its reputation as one of the core summer linen essentials, it’s this. A camp collar shirt in linen is a shortcut to looking vaguely continental. The kind of shirt you can wear open by the pool, buttoned up for dinner, or thrown on over swim shorts while wandering back from the beach.
What makes it work is its laid-back structure: no stiff collars, no fussy details, just a breezy shape that skims the shoulders and feels effortlessly cool. Go for soft neutrals or subtle stripes – sage green, dusty pink, pale blue. Pair it with tailored linen trousers and sandals for a look that says late lunch in Palma even if you’re stuck on the tube in Central London.
Linen shorts
There’s a fine line between looking like you’ve rolled out of the gym and actually looking put together when the mercury rises. Linen shorts walk that line perfectly.
A well-cut pair of linen shorts sits somewhere between smart and slouchy. Think tailored waistband, maybe a drawstring for good measure, and a length that’s respectful but not overly serious – just above the knee is your safe zone.
Wear them with a crisp linen shirt and loafers for a summer dinner date, or dress them down with a simple tee and leather sandals for a weekend coffee run. Keep the palette muted – beige, stone, navy – and you’ll find they go with everything.
Linen drawstring trousers
Arguably the closest thing to wearing pyjamas in public... in a good way. Linen drawstring trousers are forgiving in all the right places and instantly make you look more considered than a pair of sweats ever could.
They’re surprisingly versatile, too. The drawstring keeps them relaxed, but a decent taper in the leg stops things looking sloppy. Wear them with a tucked-in camp collar shirt, slip-on espadrilles and a pair of sunglasses and you’re basically holiday-ready – even if you’re just schlepping to the pub garden.
For maximum mileage, stick to classic colours like stone, olive or navy. And if you find a pair with subtle pleats? Even better. They’ll sit nicely on the hips and drape well.
The light-coloured linen suit
It wouldn’t be summer without at least one panic about what to wear to a wedding or garden party. Enter: the linen suit.
A linen suit is as sharp as summer tailoring gets when the temperatures climb. The key is keeping things light – both in colour and construction. Forget heavy linings and stiff shoulders; you want unstructured, easy-breezy shapes that hang naturally.
Soft beige, pale grey or off-white all work. Double up with a linen shirt underneath or wear a lightweight tee if the dress code is forgiving. Loafers, slip-ons or smart sandals finish it off. And remember: the wrinkles are part of the charm – your linen suit should look a bit lived-in by the end of the night.
The linen overshirt
One of the more underrated pieces in a man’s summer rotation, the linen overshirt fills that awkward gap between too warm for a jacket and too chilly for just a tee.
Thicker than a shirt but lighter than a chore coat, it’s the layer you throw on when the sun dips and you’re not ready to call it a night. Great over a simple white tee, works with shorts or trousers, and you can roll up the sleeves when you inevitably end up dancing in a beer garden at 11pm.
Look for versions with patch pockets and a slightly boxy fit – they’ll sit comfortably over your base layers without feeling bulky. Navy, khaki or off-white all get the job done.
Linen Shirt
If you’re only buying one of these summer linen essentials, make it a classic long-sleeve linen shirt. It’s the simplest way to look like you’ve got your life together when you’re really just trying not to sweat through your clothes. Roll the sleeves, leave it untucked, wear it open over a vest or buttoned up for dinner – it does it all.
A white linen shirt is the obvious choice, but pale blue, olive or soft stripes all work nicely too. The trick is to keep the cut relaxed but not billowy – you want it to drape, not drown you. Pair it with tailored shorts for holidays, tuck it into smart linen trousers for weddings, or wear it open over swim shorts when you’re heading to the bar for round two.
Smart Linen Trousers
A good pair of smart linen trousers is your secret weapon when the dress code says ‘sharp’ but the weather says ‘absolutely not’. They’re lighter than your usual wool or cotton pair, but they still hold their shape enough to look like you’ve made an effort.
Think flat-front or subtly pleated, a bit of room through the thigh, and a neat break at the shoe. Wear them with a linen shirt and loafers for weddings or garden parties, or dress them down with a tucked-in tee and espadrilles on holiday. Stone, navy and light grey are the sweet spot – classic, easy to pair, and less likely to show the inevitable creases.
Next up: Complete your summer look with these lesser-known Birkenstock alternatives.
