Oh yes, do you feel that warm summer air on the horizon? That means it’s time to break out my favorite summer fabric: linen. It’s a major must in my book to have some workhorse linen basics in your closet. This lightweight fabric always looks so effortless, and today I’m sharing a big round up of affordable linen basics, all under $100.
SHOP MY LOOK: Black Linen Shorts | Linen Tee | White Shirt Jacket | Straw Hat | Black Platform Sandals (similar here and here)
What is Linen?
Linen is a natural fiber, like cotton, but made from the flax plant. Linen fibers are hallow, making it an ideal fabric for warm weather. It’s a super breathable material with moisture-wicking abilities. (AKA, it draws summer sweat from the skin and dries super quickly.)
My Favorite Linen Basics
Whether you’re wearing linen on linen or just incorporating a single piece into your wardrobe, linen basics pair well with virtually anything. I wear linen all the time in the summer, from errands to vacation. Here are some linen basics to get you started. (You can also scroll to the bottom of this post for my giant roundup!)
The Linen Short
Comfortable linen shorts are perfect for super-hot summer days. Look for a looser silhouette to avoid your skin sticking to unnecessarily tight fabric. Because linen has a natural drape to the material, I think linen shorts always look best when they’re not too tight.
You can’t go wrong with a pair of basic black linen shorts. These $50 linen shorts from Madewell have an elastic waist and pockets; they’re a casual, every day favorite of mine to wear with easy tees and tanks.
The Linen Pant
Shorts aren’t always appropriate for every occasion, so be sure to have a pair of pants in your linen basics collection. Linen pants work summer nights, and you can also wear them in a business casual setting and dress them up a bit with a nice silk blouse.
In my opinion, wide leg linen pants skew a little more casual, so if you’re looking for something that can also be on the professional side, try these tapered linen pants.
The Linen Button Up Shirt
A linen button up shirt can be worn so many ways! Wear it untucked with jean shorts or unbutton the ends and tie the bottom tails for a cropped look. You can even do this little cropped styling trick over a maxi dress or skirt! For the pool or beach, leave it unbuttoned over a swimsuit. Easiest chic cover-up ever.
I prefer an oversized fit so recommend sizing up on your linen shirt for an easy effortless fit. As for color, white is crisp and always classic.
SHOP MORE LINEN BASICS UNDER $100
1. Striped Linen Blend Maxi Dress // 2. Henna Linen Shell // 3. Henna Linen Shorts // 4. Tan Babydoll Dress // 5. Sand Tapered Linen Pants // 6. Blue Striped Ruffle Tank // 7. Striped Linen Tee // 8. White Ruffle Tank // 9. White Basic Tank Top // 10. Linen Jumpsuit // 11. Black Linen Shorts // 12. White Linen Button Up Shirt // 13. Rust Tee
