The Coolest Suit in the Room Is Made of Linen

Suits have seriously chilled out over the years. These days, you’ll spot guys pairing them with chambray shirts, T-shirts, or even ridiculously soft cashmere sweaters that feel more like a nap than a wardrobe choice.

As tailoring has loosened up, so have the fabrics we’re reaching for — think seersucker and linen. And let’s not forget: it’s all unstructured now, adding to that breezy, easygoing vibe and sparing you the stiff, arm-straight-at-your-sides look your grandfather wore to clock in at the old ad agency.

We’ve already sung the praises of seersucker — one of the season’s most-ventilating fabrics. But now, it’s time to give a shoutout to its hot-weather-conquering cousin: linen. We’re here to help you move past the whole “wrinkle = bad” mindset, explain why linen is your best friend when the sun’s acting out, and show you exactly how to wear it without looking like a crumpled napkin.

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The History Behind the Fabric

Linen is basically the OG of textiles — like, ancient-ancient. We’re talking pharaohs, farmers, fashionistas, and French grandmas. This fabric has been around for thousands of years, and it all starts with flax — one of the oldest cultivated plants in human history.

Back in ancient Egypt (around 4,000 BCE), linen was so prized it was nicknamed “woven moonlight.” Pharaohs were buried in it, priests wore it to symbolize purity, and mummies were swaddled in it — talk about long-lasting fashion.

The Greeks and Romans were also fans. Roman togas? Yep, often made from linen. It kept folks cool under that Mediterranean sun and made for excellent undergarments — breathable and comfortable.

Fast-forward to the 18th and 19th centuries and cotton crashes the party. Thanks to industrial machinery, it became cheaper and easier to produce, pushing linen to the sidelines.

But today? Linen’s having a well-deserved comeback. It’s one of the most eco-friendly fabrics out there — flax uses less water and fewer pesticides than cotton. Plus, one of linen’s underrated superpowers? It’s moth-resistant. So when you pull that shirt out of storage, you won’t find surprise ventilation holes, which is a win-win.

How Linen Feels

Crisp and dry to the touch, linen has a natural texture that practically crackles when you move. It’s not soft like fleece or slick like silk — it’s got its own confident charm: slightly coarse, airy, and decidedly lived-in.

Put it on, and it breathes with you. The fibers are hollow, so air flows through with ease — perfect for those irritatingly hot days when the sun feels personally offended by your comfort.

It wrinkles, sure, but in a way that is intentional — not one that feels like you’ve given up. And unlike cotton, linen pulls its weight: it wicks moisture, dries quickly, and won’t leave you feeling like a walking swamp. Want to stay fresh without trying too hard? Linen’s your low-maintenance, high-performance hero.

How to Style a Linen Suit

Our decadent Brown Linen Lakeshore Jacket and matching pants are here to solve all your warm-weather wardrobe dilemmas. Made from 100% linen, the blazer is so lightweight it’s practically transparent — think dollar bill in daylight. The pants keep it classy: still breezy, but not see-through, with a flattering slim fit.

Now, some folks think brown is tricky to wear. Not this time. Keep it simple — pair the suit with our pinpoint button-down and finish it off with a white cotton pocket square with a navy border.

Accessories can be a head-scratcher with brown since black belts and shoes are a no-go. So we leaned in: a brown belt with a brass buckle and sand-colored crepe-soled chukkas. The contrast hits just right and, bonus — they’d look just as good with our Navy Seersucker Suit.

It’s a look that goes from the office to dinner without skipping a beat. No costume change required.

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