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

Crumple-fest or super chic? Whatever you think of linen, it’s the perfect fabric for the changing climate. I’m not going to describe the current weather as a ‘heatwave’ because I’ve lived in the UK all my life and recent summers have been consistently hot, with temperatures reaching an all-time high of 40 degrees last year.

Bring on the cool clothing.

Ancient Greek soldiers wore protective clothing made of linen, it is a strong, natural fibre. Today, the fabric’s absorbent properties and flowing nature allow the wearer to waft around and feel cool. Linen Lovers embrace the wrinkles – and that’s a phenomenon I seriously approve of. Like Monty Don, who famously digs his Long Meadow garden in blue linen shirts and jackets, and accepts that the very nature of the fabric means it’s going to get crumpled.

We all go with the flax flow.

Looking business-like in the extreme heat, is not easy. One of my friends while temping for a city firm in the nineties was told ‘ linen is creative, not corporate.’ We’ve moved on since then, but linen definitely has more of a relaxed vibe – still, I do think the oldest textile in the world can look elegant and classic. Fortunately, I work in a creative industry and can get away with a wrinkled linen shirt or dress (see Muji and Cos for the latter) – and face. Perhaps it’s a matter of styling?

I’d definitely wear the first outfit, the striped linen shirt with a silk slip skirt and run-around sandals, to an informal business meeting or press event. Upgrade the accessories by swapping the sporty sandals for a pair of ballet pumps or Mary Jane shoes, replace the Uniqlo cross body bag with a smarter leather handbag and you can lean in to linen.

What do you think? Are you ready to crumple?

And for a more relaxed vibe… Photo: Sarah Brick

More linen loveliness:

STYLE NOTES

First photo: striped linen shirt on loan from With Nothing Underneath. Silk skirt bought from The Outnet last year.

Similar HERE, HERE and HERE. Crossbody bag from a previous collaboration with Uniqlo. My own Suicoke sandals. Hoop earrings from Branch Jewellery.

Second photo: navy linen dress on loan from Plumo (now sold out; but I really like the belted linen shirtdress from Cos).

My Capri pants were a gift from Winser London. Straw basket on loan from LK Bennett. Leather sandals from Grenson, a couple of years ago (now available in tan, dark brown and black leather).