Come be a part of the linen love-in — That’s Not My Age

Photograph: Penny Wincer. Hair & make-up: Carl Stanley

Crumple-fest or tremendous stylish? No matter you consider linen, it’s the proper material for the altering local weather. I’m not going to explain the present climate as a ‘heatwave’ as a result of I’ve lived within the UK all my life and up to date summers have been constantly scorching, with temperatures reaching an all-time high of 40 degrees final yr. Carry on the cool clothes.

Historical Greek troopers wore protecting clothes fabricated from linen, it’s a robust, pure fibre. As we speak, the material’s absorbent properties and flowing nature permit the wearer to waft round and really feel cool. Linen Lovers embrace the wrinkles – and that’s a phenomenon I severely approve of. Like Monty Don, who famously digs his Lengthy Meadow backyard in blue linen shirts and jackets, and accepts that the very nature of the material means it’s going to get crumpled. All of us go along with the flax stream.

Wanting business-like within the excessive warmth, shouldn’t be straightforward. Considered one of my mates whereas temping for a metropolis agency within the nineties was advised ‘ linen is artistic, not company.’ We’ve moved on since then, however linen positively has extra of a relaxed vibe – nonetheless, I do suppose the oldest textile on the earth can look elegant and basic. Thankfully, I work in a artistic trade and may get away with a wrinkled linen shirt or costume (see Muji and Cos for the latter) – and face. Maybe it’s a matter of styling? I’d positively put on the primary outfit, the striped linen shirt with a silk slip skirt and run-around sandals, to a casual enterprise assembly or press occasion. Improve the equipment by swapping the sporty sandals for a pair of ballet pumps or Mary Jane shoes, exchange the Uniqlo cross physique bag with a wiser leather-based purse and you may lean in to linen.

What do you suppose? Are you able to crumple?

And for a extra relaxed vibe… Photograph: Sarah Brick

Extra linen loveliness:

STYLE NOTES

First photograph: striped linen shirt on mortgage from With Nothing Underneath. Silk skirt purchased from The Outnet final yr. Comparable HERE, HERE and HERE. Crossbody bag from a earlier collaboration with Uniqlo. My very own Suicoke sandals. Hoop earrings from Branch Jewellery.

Second photograph: navy linen costume on mortgage from Plumo (now offered out; however I actually just like the belted linen shirtdress from Cos). My Capri pants had been a present from Winser London. Straw basket on mortgage from LK Bennett. Leather-based sandals from Grenson, a few years in the past (now accessible in tan, dark brown and black leather).