"Summertime dressing is meant to be easy. When the weather’s warm and more time is spent outside than in, outfits need to be two things: fuss-free and comfortable. If there’s a chic solution that checks both of those boxes, I’m willing to wear it on repeat, which is why I’m filling my closet with all-things linen this season.
From relaxed linen trousers to understated linen dresses, the natural, lightweight fabric brings an effortless element to whatever it adorns. It’s breezy and comfortable, yet somehow looks more put-together than denim—win, win, win.
I’m planning on turning to linen all summer long, and you’d be remiss to not jump on the bandwagon, too. Here are all the linen pieces I have my eye on now, plus how I’m taking care of it.
How to Keep Linen Wrinkle-Free
Because linen has poor elasticity, it wrinkles very easily. Some wrinkling tends to be inevitable; even if you steam your linen before you leave the house, moving and sitting in it all day will likely cause some to pop up throughout the day. If you want to keep your linen as wrinkle-free as possible, these are the steps to take:
- Air-dry immediately after washing
- Store it by hanging in a closet (rather than folding)
- If you’re ironing or steaming, do it while the linen is still slightly damp
- Don’t have time to iron or steam? Spray it with a wrinkle release spray
How to Wash Linen
You don’t need to worry about your linen pilling, but unfortunately, it can shrink rather easily. Choosing high-quality linen pieces that have been washed prior to purchasing can help avoiding the dreaded “this doesn’t fit me anymore” debacle after one wash.
Before washing any of your linen pieces, make sure to read the instructions on the care tag and follow them closely. Cold or warm water is best for linen, as hot water can cause it to shrink. Never use bleach on your linen; a simple cold-wash cycle with a gentle detergent is ideal. To further avoid shrinking, hang-dry after washing rather than throwing it in the dryer.
Our Favorite Linen Pieces
Ready to hop on the linen bandwagon? These are the pieces that are on my wishlist this season.
