Even though returning to school is on the horizon and the end of summer is calling, the days are still humid and hot. And we are probably looking at a warm and sticky fall. In years past, you may have been preparing to pack up your linen items by late August, but linen is no longer just a summer fabric. In fact, its beautiful texture leans into fall looks. Here’s how to rethink linen to style unexpected outfits as we slowly transition from summer into fall.
A linen blazer is an ideal transitional piece. It’s breathable while still structured and can be worn in professional and casual settings. Quince’s 100% European Linen Blazer comes in five fall-worthy shades like: sage, navy, and chocolatey brown. You can pick up the matching pants for a full suit to wear with a sleeveless blouse now and a full button-down later. Or check out Cold Water Creek’s Linen Boyfriend Jacket to layer over a sundress on these remaining summer nights and wear with jeans and a sweater come autumnal afternoons.
I used to wear shorts only on the weekends and casual hangs, but a few years ago, suiting shorts caught my eye and have become a part of my summer work wardrobe. It also helped that my office’s strict pre-pandemic dress code is no longer enforced. Everlane’s The Linen Way-High Drape short is a great piece for the office. The high rise, fly zipper, and front pleat give it a trouser-type feel, and the cocoa/black stripe print appears more formal than the standard pull-on linen shorts. This could easily pair with a blouse and blazer now and then, potentially worn with tights and an oversized sweater in a few months. However, if you’re more in the market for a laidback short, there’s American Giant’s Easy Linen Short with a relaxed fit for comfort and convenience. Pick up the matching shirt and wear it as a matching set with sneakers and a baseball hat well into September.
If you find shorts a bit tricky, there’s also cropped pants. Unlike breezy wide-leg, drawstring linen pants, a tailored cropped version feels more autumnal. Linen Handmade Studio’s Linen Pants Tori comes in a whopping 36 different shades with roomy pockets and a flattering flat front for a polished look. Wear with espadrilles and a flouncy tank now, then transition these pants with ankle boots and a poplin shirt as the days get darker. There are also Boden’s Kew Linen pants with a more traditional cropped trouser silhouette but bold color and print options that you can wear with just about every outfit during this transitional season.
Speaking of transitions, this time of year usually sees a sartorial shift with back-to-school shopping and trends. The shift I’m most interested in right now is of the dress variety. A linen shift can be a godsend on sweaty summer days and a great layering piece in brisk weather. If you are in the market for an investment piece, check out Flax’s True Dress -Linen Shift with its notched neckline and bias back that create a simple yet chic dress. Throw it on with sandals now, then wear it over leggings and boots with a cardigan come October. For a more budget-friendly option, look to Ann Taylor’s Linen Blend Belted Split Neck shift dress. This LBD comes with a fabric belt so you can cinch the waist or let it hang loose. Either way, you can wear this dress on its own now and then experiment with layers in the fall.
Next up, vests. You can go two routes with a linen vest, cropped or long and lean. For the latter, there’s Banana Republic’s Lina Linen Vest. This tailored vest was cut for a longer length with a lapel-free neckline, so you can wear it on its own as a top and then layer it as a standard vest with the change of season. For a fitted cropped take, check out J.Crew’s Slim-Fit Linen Vest. This 100% linen garment comes with figure-hugging seam details and covered buttons. Again, wear it on its own or with a camisole and jeans for a sophisticated yet casual look now. As fall rolls in, switch out the jeans with tailored trousers and slip on a turtleneck under this vest for a look that means business.
Linen is no longer just a summer fabric. You can wear it with chunky sweaters, cardigans, tees, and trench coats this fall as easily as you can wear it on its own during summer. The best thing about picking up linen pieces as we transition seasons is that so much is on sale, so updating your wardrobe won’t break the bank.
