Ever since civilisation began to ponder these things, people have been wearing linen to keep cool. ‘Linen is a comfortable material for summer because of its high moisture absorptivity and relative stiffness,’ Jintu Fan, professor of fibre science and apparel design at Cornell University, told Vogue. ‘The former property absorbs sweat and the latter property makes it detached from human skin, creating spaces between human body and clothing for ventilative cooling.’

Whether you hang it in your wardrobe or use it for soft furnishings throughout the house and garden, linen is a winner in the summer. Here, we’ve gathered eight of the best shops for linen.

SIRPLUS



Launched in London in 2010, with environmental awareness at its core, SIRPLUS is a one-stop shop for cool, elegant, affordable menswear. Founder Henry Hales says: ‘The joy of surplus is what started the brand for me – making something special from something that would have otherwise been chucked out.’




The White Company



When you think of The White Company, you think of a contented, pulled-together lady wafting around her beautiful home in head-to-toe linen – so it is only fitting that the linen clothes they offer are second to none.




Summerill & Bishop



Where linen is concerned, you sure can trust these time-honoured purveyors of exquisite things with which to dress your table. But you will have to find your deepest pockets.




Mondo Corsini


An Australian married to an Italian living in London, Susan Corsini founded her brand ‘as a platform for creative collaboration, curation and craftsmanship’. Her exquisite edit of timeless clothing, accessories and homeware is impossible to ignore.




Piglet In Bed


Piglet began life in 2017 in a garden shed in West Sussex. At first, they produced linen duvet covers and pillowcases in just a few calming colours. Now they make reams of bed linen, sleepwear and homewares in the natural, sustainable, breathable fabric they love to champion.




Aspiga


Sustainable and ethical fashion practices are at the heart of Aspiga, which launched online in 2011. The award-winning label sells pretty, lightweight clothes that are as perfect for holidays as they are for hot summers in the city.




OKA


The genius British interiors emporium has woven its magic again, with the launch of a new linen line. They say: ‘Carefully crafted by a specialist weaving mill in Belgium to retain the organic-yet-refined look of the original fabric, our clever linen promises increased durability, colourfastness and moisture-wicking properties. It’s like having your cake and eating it.’




Dundas London


A Good Web Guide Award-winning website, Dundas London was established in 2015 and is known for its relaxed but stylish menswear. They say: ‘At Dundas London we are inspired by adventure and the world around us. Our shirts are worn by the men that are experts both in their field and on the field.’ They fit like a dream, too.



By Becky Ladenburg
August 2022