How to Wear Linen This Summer
How to Wear Linen This Summer
📍 French Quarter, New Orleans
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There are very few fabrics I reach for more often during the summer than linen. It’s lightweight, breathable, and somehow manages to feel both relaxed and polished at the same time. Whether I’m exploring New Orleans, spending a weekend in coastal Connecticut, or packing for a trip to the Hamptons, linen is always one of the first things that goes into my suitcase.
The key to wearing linen well isn’t filling your closet with head-to-toe linen pieces. Instead, it’s about choosing a few versatile staples and styling them in a way that feels timeless and effortless. These are the linen outfits I find myself repeating every summer.
Start with a White Linen Dress
If I could only own one linen piece, it would be a simple white dress. A white linen dress works for nearly every summer occasion, from sightseeing and brunch to casual dinners and weekends away. I especially love pairing mine with a woven basket bag, simple espadrille flats, and oversized sunglasses. It’s the kind of outfit that always feels classic, never overdone, and somehow manages to look polished even on the hottest days of the year.
Shirt || Sweater || Pants || Sandals || Handbag
Pair Linen Trousers with a Sleeveless Top
When temperatures climb but I still want to feel put together, linen trousers are my answer. A pair of relaxed linen pants paired with a sleeveless blouse creates an outfit that feels sophisticated without sacrificing comfort. Add a straw tote, simple sandals, and perhaps a lightweight sweater draped over your shoulders, and you have a look that works just as well for travel days as it does for lunch with friends or an afternoon of exploring a new city.
Dress || Sweater || Sandals || Handbag
Add Structure with Accessories
One of the easiest ways to elevate linen is through accessories. Because the fabric naturally has a relaxed texture, I like balancing it with more structured pieces such as a leather handbag, classic sunglasses, or a polished sandal. These details help linen feel intentional and refined rather than overly casual, creating an outfit that feels more European summer holiday and less beach cover-up.
Shirt || Pants || Sweater || Sandals || Tote Bag
Embrace a Neutral Color Palette
When building a linen wardrobe, I almost always gravitate toward neutral shades like white, ivory, navy, black, and soft beige. Not only do these colors feel timeless, but they also make getting dressed remarkably easy since every piece works with everything else. Whether you’re packing for a vacation or simply simplifying your summer wardrobe, a neutral palette allows linen to feel effortlessly chic.
Similar Dress || Flats || Similar Bag || Sunglasses
Don’t Save Linen for Vacation
While linen is often associated with beach destinations and summer getaways, I wear it just as often at home. A linen dress for errands, linen trousers for a coffee date, or a sleeveless linen top paired with denim can feel just as appropriate for everyday life as they do on vacation. The beauty of linen is that it instantly makes an outfit feel relaxed and elevated at the same time, which is exactly what I want from my summer wardrobe.
The best way to wear linen this summer is to keep things simple. A white dress, a great pair of trousers, a few neutral separates, and classic accessories will take you almost anywhere. Summer style doesn’t need to be complicated. In fact, the most timeless outfits rarely are.
Love from New Orleans,
Katie
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