If you’re looking to build your warm-weather wardrobe, there’s no better fabric to opt for than linen. Lightweight and breathable, linen clothing is a go-to for those who want to stay stylish all year round. Want the low-down on linen? From how it’s made to how to style it, here at Kit and Kaboodal, we’ve created a guide to all you need to know about your new summer staple.

What is linen?

First thing’s first; what is linen made of? Linen is a completely natural textile created from the stalks of flax plants during a long harvesting and manufacturing process. Records show that linen has been in use for many thousands of years, while the earliest records of a linen industry date all the way back to Ancient Egypt. Over the centuries, linen has been used for everything from table cloths and bedding to clothing and is still considered today one of the highest quality natural fibres to have in your wardrobe.

Breathability and Coolness

Due to its weave structure, linen is a highly breathable fabric and
doesn’t cling to the skin in the same way cotton does. Rather than drape
over the skin, linen clothes billow and let air circulate around, thus
cooling your body and helping to dry any moisture in the fabric. In
short, linen clothing makes hot days in summer a breeze (literally)!

How to wear linen

While there are many pros to linen clothing, the fabric does have particular notoriety for its tendency to crease. However, when you know how to wear it, the natural crumple of linen is part of its laid-back charm and effortless aesthetic. When it comes to how to wear linen clothing, we’ve got the tips to nailing the look this season.

Linen Trousers

Light, airy and versatile, a pair of women’s linen trousers are one of the
best ways to incorporate linen into your wardrobe. Linen trousers are
perfect for finding the balance of smart and casual, making them ideal
for whether you’re dressing down for a summer BBQ or up for an evening
out. When it comes to what to wear with linen trousers, they go with
pretty much anything! We love them paired with a simple blouse or
T-shirt tucked in to create a smooth silhouette. If you opt for a wide
leg, try heeled sandals to elongate your leg and complete the look.

Linen Tops

For hot summer days and balmy evenings, there’s no better way to stay cool than a linen top. There are so many options available to try to suit any style and, because linen doesn’t stick to the skin like cotton, it’s an ideal fabric for flattering every shape and size. Whether you opt for a short-sleeved number or a casual long sleeve, linen tops are easily
styled for day and night! Pair with your favourite jeans or cotton trousers and add simple accessories to tie the look together.

Can linen be worn in winter?

While linen is an ideal choice for keeping cool during the summer, it can also be an option to be worn during the winter months - it’s all about how you style it! Linen items can be easily transitional into autumn and winter simply by layering your favourite piece with warmer items in your wardrobe, such as tops, jumpers, leggings and trousers.

We’ve put together a blog post all about the best ways to layer our linen dresses so that you can wear your favourites all year round!