Above all fabrics, linen knows how to play it cool: beating heat and delivering style. Woven from flax fibres, linen absorbs heat slowly and possesses unique moisture-wicking properties. Dry, lightweight, and breathable, linen is the perfect antidote to humid Hong Kong summers. Not only are linen outfits timeless, the fabric itself is too – compared to cotton and synthetic fabrics, linen is more durable and wastes less water in the production process. 

Practicalities aside, the airy fabric adds a touch of nonchalant charm to any outfit and can be dressed both up and down with ease. One moment, you’re channelling your inner Greek goddess in a flowing white maxi; the next moment, you’re frolicking at the beach in loose boxer shorts. Linen ensembles are incredibly versatile, shifting from relaxed to sophisticated to everything in between.

Regardless of style or occasion, linen deserves a permanent spot in your wardrobe. Here is a roundup of our favourite ways to wear linen this summer. 

Vision In White

Emily
Emily Ratajkowski in an asymmetrical linen dress from Mango.
Photo: Getty Images

Emily Ratajkowski in an asymmetrical linen dress from Mango.

Photo: Getty Images

Step aside, LBD. This summer is all about the LWD: Linen White Dress! A staple for summer, white linen dresses marry comfort and elegance. Whether you’re strolling across the sand or sipping cocktails at a garden party, slipping on a white linen dress will instantly elevate your style for any occasion. The LWD wins on simplicity: crisp white and fresh linen combine to make a summer classic. 

Onia

Onia Keyhole Cutout Linen-Blend Halter Dress

HK$1,680

Moda Operandi

SIR

SIR Affogato Tie-Detailed Linen Maxi Dress

HK$3,060

Moda Operandi

Cult

Cult Gaia Kailani Broderie Anglaise-Trimmed Linen Halterneck Mini Dress

HK$5,647

NET-A-PORTER

Chloe

Chloé Broderie Anglaise Washed-Linen Midi Dress

HK$28,600

NET-A-PORTER

Johanna

Johanna Ortiz Shared Present Embroidered Linen and Cotton-Blend Mini Dress

HK$7,473

NET-A-PORTER

Farm

Farm Rio Tiered Cutout Linen-Blend Maxi Dress

HK$2,285

NET-A-PORTER

COS

COS Open-Back Mini Pinafore Dress

HK$937

COS

Le

Le Kasha Buttoned Halterneck Linen Midi Dress

HK$9,500

Selfridges

Posse

Posse Musa Sleeveless Linen Mini Dress

HK$2,350

Selfridges

Boho Chic

Kendall
Kendall Jenner in a Zimmermann Painted Hearts Linen-Silk Printed Dress.
Photo: Getty Images

Kendall Jenner in a Zimmermann Painted Hearts Linen-Silk Printed Dress.

Photo: Getty Images

Think linen and you might imagine a sea of beiges and neutrals, but there is a whole world of boho chic waiting to be explored. Unleash your inner free spirit this season with vibrant prints, playful fringes, and billowing maxis. With minimalism out and maximalism in this summer, live out loud with linen pieces that scream you.

ALEMAIS

ALÉMAIS Pinball Printed Linen Midi Dress

HK$4,655

NET-A-PORTER

Zimmermann

Zimmermann Ottie Belted Pleated Printed Linen Shorts

HK$3,840

NET-A-PORTER

Max

Max Mara Quirite Tie-Neck Linen-Knit Top

HK$3,400

Selfridges

Johanna

Johanna Ortiz Wild Savannah Belted Tasseled Printed Linen Dress

HK$6,686

NET-A-PORTER

Saloni

SALONI Neelam Linen Midi Dress

HK$4,615

NET-A-PORTER

Farm

Farm Rio Embroidered Tiered Linen-Blend Maxi Dress

HK$2,909

NET-A-PORTER

Zimmermann

Zimmermann Ottie Scalloped Paisley-Print Linen Mini Skirt

HK$3,685

NET-A-PORTER

Lug

Lug von Siga Tess Printed Linen Blouse

HK$3,860

Harvey Nichols

Coastal Charm

Sofia
Sofia Richie Grainge wears Christopher Esber’s Low Rise Linen Trousers on her honeymoon in the Maldives.
Photo: @sofiagrainge via Instagram

Sofia Richie Grainge wears Christopher Esber’s Low Rise Linen Trousers on her honeymoon in the Maldives.

Photo: @sofiagrainge via Instagram

Is there anything more sublime than the feeling of an ocean breeze rippling over summer linen? With “croisettecore” taking off this year, incorporate linen into every coastal outfit, from loose cover-ups to striped sundresses to the latest boxer-shorts trend. Capture the essence of summer in shades of blue and white and you will be turning heads up and down the riviera!

ALLSAINTS

ALLSAINTS Jade Stripe-Embroidered High-Rise Linen Trousers

HK$1,200

Selfridges

Tory

Tory Burch Printed Linen Camp Shirt

HK$3,600

Tory Burch

Chloe

Chloé Bow-Embellished Linen-Canvas Dress

HK$15,700

NET-A-PORTER

Prada

Prada Embroidered Linen Top

HK$26,400

Prada

James

James Perse High Low Linen Skirt

HK$1,900

James Perse

Sandro

SANDRO Floral-Print High-Rise Linen-Blend Trousers

HK$2,200

Selfridges

Loro

Loro Piana Dabney Embroidered Linen Vest

HK$21,000

NET-A-PORTER

Ferragamo

Ferragamo Striped Linen-Cotton Maxi Dress

HK$13,195

Moda Operandi

J.Crew

J.Crew Tropez Short In Striped Linen

HK$815

J.Crew

Sandro

SANDRO Broderie-Anglaise High-Rise Linen-Blend Midi Skirt

HK$2,200

Selfridges

Ralph

Ralph Lauren Pammela Striped Linen and Silk-Blend Midi Dress

HK$23,500

NET-A-PORTER

Suit Up In Style

Meryl
Meryl Streep dons a Michael Kors Collection linen pantsuit at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.
Photo: Getty Images

Meryl Streep dons a Michael Kors Collection linen pantsuit at the 77th Cannes Film Festival.

Photo: Getty Images

With summer heating up the office, ditch the stuffy business attire for lightweight linen instead. The linen suit is the ultimate power move for the modern professional. Rotate linen blazers, waistcoats and pinstripe pants to make a statement without breaking a sweat. Who says you can’t beat the heat while looking sharp at the same time?

Michael

Michael Kors Linen Crushed-Sleeve Boyfriend Blazer

HK$23,740

Michael Kors

Brunello

Brunello Cucinelli Linen and Wool-Blend Vest

HK$19,700

NET-A-PORTER

Veronica

Veronica Beard Brixton Cropped Checked Linen Wide-Leg Pants

HK$3,491

NET-A-PORTER

Blaze

Blazé Milano Clarity Charmer Double-Breasted Herringbone Linen Blazer

HK$12,325

NET-A-PORTER

Max

Max Mara Quebec Double-Breasted Pinstriped Linen Vest

HK$8,590

NET-A-PORTER

Tommy

Tommy Hilfiger Linen Relaxed Fit Shirt

HK$1,190

Tommy Hilfiger

Gucci

Gucci Linen-Blend Canvas-Jacquard Tapered Pants

HK$10,400

NET-A-PORTER

Chloe

Chloé Linen Jacket

HK$19,200

NET-A-PORTER

TOVE

TOVE Bella Pleated Linen-Blend Shorts

HK$3,374

NET-A-PORTER

Giuliva

Giuliva Heritage Linen-Twill Blazer

HK$11,044

NET-A-PORTER