Tag Archives: Linen Suit

There is Nothing Quite Like a Linen Suit

  By D Clothier | June 5, 2010 - 10:22 am | Linen Suit, Mens Suits
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Your Perfect Summer Suit

There is nothing quite like a good linen suit, particularly when the weather warms up. A linen suit looks sharp, stylish and oh so cool on a hot day; it is no wonder they are the favoured suit type in tropical countries. But wherever you are, a linen suit is a classic item that anyone can wear. In fact, linen suits in all their variation are an essential addition to the elegant man’s summer wardrobe.

The Casual Linen Suit

Linen lends itself to casual wear while retaining a stylish edge. The nature of linen is cool and relaxed. Of course linen is going to crease, that’s what it does, but an unstructured linen suit, creased but clean, and in a natural colour, say grey or buff, is the epitome of casual style. From the beach to the bar to the boulevard you can kick back and enjoy yourself. The same suit in a dark tone or black, teemed with a stylish shirt or turtleneck adds a touch of seriousness to your relaxation. If a complete suit seems too much for casual wear then take it apart and wear it as separates. The jacket can be worn with a pair of jeans or the pants with a polo shirt with aplomb.

The Formal Linen Suit

Linen tends to be overlooked for formal wear outside of tropical countries and this is a great shame. While it may not be suitable for traditional boardroom and professional scenarios it can be worn with panache, particularly by those in more creative businesses, such as architects and designers. For the man working in more conservative environments, the heavier Irish linens in darker colours are less likely to crease. There are also linen mix suits available that are more creaseproof. To carry off a linen formal suit the trick is to wear it as an Italian business man would and match it with other quality apparel; a perfectly pressed fresh cotton shirt, a great silk tie, and properly polished shoes.

The Stylish Linen Suit

Whatever the context and however you wear it, a linen suit should be worn with style.  Whether keeping it simple or dressing it up, accessorizing is the secret to success in linen suits.  Consider carefully what shirt, what shoes, what watch, or what hat you are going to wear.   It is not just a suit, it is the foundation of an ensemble.

Linen Suits in Every Way for Every Day

Every well dressed man should have a selection of linen suits in his wardrobe. For six months of the year, linen is my suit material of choice both at work and at play. So if you want some effortless European panache, choose a linen suit.  And to help you choose a linen suit I have put together this site.   Don’t forget to bookmark and return to http://thelinensuit.com to learn more about the linen suit.

The Linen Suit for Weddings

  By D Clothier | June 4, 2010 - 8:29 pm | Linen Suit
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The linen suit is becoming an increasingly popular choice of wedding attire for men.  Every woman wants her wedding to be perfect and every man wants his bride to be happy.  For many women that now means having the wedding at the height of summer or even overseas to ensure that the weather is perfect and the sun will shine.  In either event, there’s a good chance that it is going to be hot and that, of course, is where the linen suit becomes attractive.

 Staying Cool on the Big Day

It is not only the weather that will make you sweat on your wedding day, weddings are notoriously stressful.  When it comes to keeping cool and looking cool the linen suit is hard to beat.  A good linen suit will also make a nice contrast with your bride’s outfit.  Always remember however that the centre of attention will be the bride’s dress.  Your suit is there to help make her look stunning and, at the end of the day, she will have the final say on what you wear.  All the outfits will have to be co-ordinated and issues like material, style and color will have to considered.

Beach Weddings

Beach weddings in exotic locations are becoming increasingly popular.  They can be either traditional formal events or laid back and informal parties.  For either type of beach wedding, a white linen suit is the ideal choice for the groom.  Indeed, a traditional dark suit, or even a fully dressed up morning suit, will look slightly ridiculous out on the sand with the waves crashing behind you.  For an informal beach wedding a light loosely structured white suit in Italian linen will work.  You will even get away with an open necked shirt and no shoes for some bohemian chic.  However, if you are going for the full formal wedding in a tropical location, then a more formal white suit in Irish linen will work.

Summer Weddings

Linen suits are not limited to the beach.  At the height of a sticky summer, they can be the ideal for choice for a summer wedding.  City weddings, even summery ones, tend to be a bit more formal than beach weddings, so a darker more traditional suit in Irish linen would be appropriate.  A heavy linen suit will look suitably manly for the wedding ceremony.  It should be worn with a well pressed white shirt and suitable tie, usually one that matches the bridesmaids’ dresses and the color theme that the bride has chosen.  If you are going for a more relaxed informal wedding then the choice of suit will be wider.

Wedding Days Last a Long Time

You will, of course, both live happily ever after but it is worth bearing in mind that the photographs of your wedding will be around a long time.  Despite what I have said about the centrality of the bride to the wedding, try and avoid being railroaded into wearing an unusual colored suit.  While it is one big day and a major event in your life, you do not want the abiding image of it to be of you in a silly outfit.

Linen Suits Also Last a Long Time

Unlike the bride, who will only wear her wedding dress once, the groom can wear his wedding suit as often as he likes.  When it comes to buying a linen suit for your wedding try and push the boat out and get the best suit you can afford.  As it is a once-off purchase you may even justify buying an expensive designer suit.  You will get years of wear out of your linen wedding suit – I know I did.

The Linen Suit for Women

  By D Clothier | May 16, 2010 - 8:14 am | Linen Suit, White Linen Suit, Women's Linen Suit
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Look Summery, Fresh and Feminine in a Linen Suit

What I have written about linen suits for men applies equally to women’s linen suits.  The linen suit is an ideal addition to a woman’s summer wardrobe.  Indeed, it is a timeless classic, as versatile and necessary as the little black dress.

The Linen Suit Abroad

Linen is perfect for vacations.  Whether on a beach break or a city break, linen suits will be a useful and necessary addition to your suitcase.  The white linen suit is perfect beach attire and makes a great contrast when worn over a brightly coloured swimsuit.  It will also help protect your delicate skin from the sun while still looking chic.  We are all more aware these days of the dangers of too much sun and of the need to cover up during the hottest part of the day.  Indeed, if vacationing in countries, or visiting religious sites, where women are expected to dress more modestly than they are used to at home, a woman’s linen suit will cover up in an elegant combination of style and cultural sensitivity.  The linen suit is also ideal for dressing up in while on vacation.  Whether it is dinner at the captain’s table on a cruise or a romantic dinner for two in a Michelin starred restaurant, a smart linen suit will strike the right tone of classic sophistication.

The Linen Suit at Home

Linen suits are not just for vacations.  Linen is a great warm weather material.  Whether formal or casual, a linen suit will allow you to look fresh and confident no matter how high the temperature goes.  Linen suits are easy to dress up or dress down depending on your needs.  Wear one with a freshly pressed, crisp cotton blouse for a formal professional look or match a suit with a lightweight turtleneck for a more casual bohemian style.  For really hot weather, thy removing the jacket altogether and just wear the pants with a light linen top.

The Linen Suit in Color

Linen suits for women come in a much wider range of colours than they do for men.  In addition to the standard white, tans and dark tones that men are used to, women can choose from a wide range of pastels and brighter colors.  The lighter colors are great for a more relaxed casual look and can be matched to your particular taste in color and tone.  Traditionally, of course, the lighter tones are worn during daytime while darker toned material is used for outfits that work from daywear into eveningwear.  For women who want to wear linen in the workplace, again the darker tones will lend an air of confidence and authority that the pastels lack.

The Linen Suit in Your Wardrobe

Prepare for summer with a range of linen suits in different colors and styles.  Take some time to shop around, both online and in your local stores.  A great aspect of linen is that it lends itself to been worn loosely in warm weather so that both sizes and styles are more forgiving than some other fabrics.  Linen can be worn with many different styles of clothing, but it matches best with other natural cloths.  The best tops to go with a linen suit will be from linen, cotton or silk.  When it comes to accessorizing linen, less is more.  A few nice pieces or jewellery, a good watch and a signature necklace are key.  What will make or break a summer outfit is headgear and footwear, so spend plenty of times choosing those shoes.

How To Care For Your Linen Suit

  By D Clothier | May 12, 2010 - 9:14 pm | Linen Suit
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Linen looks lovely and makes for some great clothing, but it is high maintenance when compared to some other materials.  However, it is easy to care for and with a little time your linens will continue to look good and last a long time.  It’s worth taking the time and effort to maintain the appearance of effortless cool that you get with your linen suit.

Creasing

Linen is a natural material woven from the fibers of the flax plant.  The fibers are quite long and, in their own way, quite firm so when they get bent they stay bent.  The threads also soak up moisture and in doing so will help wick sweat away from your body.  That’s one reason linen keeps you cool but the more moisture in linen the more it creases.  Of course, the wrinkling of the cloth is part of the discreet charm of linen.

Washing and Dry Cleaning

Although linen can be washed in a washing machine, and most linen pants and shirts will be done this way, dry cleaning is more appropriate for linen suits.  Check the label as some cheap unstructured suits will survive a washing machine or a careful hand wash.  If you are handwashing linen use lukewarm water and a little specialist soap suitable for delicates or linens – it will say on the packaging.  Handle the material gently or use the gentlest cycle on the washing machine.

Most men’s linen suits, and certainly the more expensive and more tailored suits, will require dry cleaning.  If you are thinking of taking any type of suit to the dry cleaners try and find a good one.  Not all dry cleaners are equal and it is worth trying to find one that is able to care for delicate and quality materials.  Ask your friends, your tailor, or make discreet enquiries in some high-end clothing stores.

Drying and Ironing

Whatever else you do, do not put linen in the tumble dryer.   Hang it out to dry in the air and let it dry naturally.  Iron linen while it is still damp.  A hot iron will help remove the creases and stop you from scorching the material.  Make sure you stop ironing as soon as the creases have been flattened out and before the material is fully dry, otherwise you will just iron more creases in and damage the material.  If the linen is getting too dry spray it with a little cold water.  Alternatively, to take out the worst creases, trying placing the suit flat between two damp cloths and pressing it firmly.  It will take some careful handling but will remove some creases.  When you’ve finished ironing, hang the line up properly to finish drying.

Storing Linen

Obviously, with its tendency to crease, linen should always be hung up properly.  If you do have to fold your linen suit, for travelling for example, make sure to unpack it and hang it up the moment you arrive.  At the end of a long hot summer, before you put your linen suits away for the winter, have them cleaned and hang them carefully ready for next year.

Always Read The Label!

The above is purely for informational purposes and is based on my own experience.  I do not guarantee any of the advice contained above.  You are wholly and solely responsible for looking after your own clothes.  If you are in doubt about how to clean a suit, seek professional advice.  Indeed, it is worth building up a relationship with a good dry cleaner and a tailor as they will be able to provide you with item specific information.  Remember, when cleaning any clothes, think first and always read the label.  With a little care your linen suit should last you a long time but it is up to you.

The White Linen Suit For Men

  By D Clothier | May 10, 2010 - 9:09 pm | Linen Suit, White Linen Suit
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Knights in White Linen

Think of a linen suit and the chances are you will think of white linen suit.  It’s a classic; hey, it’s nearly a caricature of the successful man in sunnier climes.  But for the ultimate in summer style it’s hard to beat a man’s white linen suit.

The Look

White suits can be very, very stylish.  We’re thinking of Our Man in Havanna, an adventurer in South America, a playboy on the Mediteranean.  An expensive white suit speaks of style and substance.  On the other hand, a cheap white linen suit will be perfectly functional and still maintain the look.  Either way, white and linen make a great summer suit combination.

Formal or Casual, It’s All White For You

With beach weddings becoming more popular, men’s white linen suits are the perfect choice for groom, best man and guests.  Not only would traditional formal wear be too heavy and warm, it would look rather odd in a beach setting.  For boys, the white linen suit is ideal for special events such as First Communions and Confirmations.  When it comes to business wear, a white linen suit is not the most practical option.  But in other business settings, for example meeting clients for lunch or drinks, it can set the perfect note, a balance of relaxed style with wealth.  Whatever the occasion, for a more formal look the heavier Irish linens are more suitable.  They wrinkle less, hold their shape better and generally, look more expensive.

For casual wear, white suits are also ideal.  Particularly at the beach as it looks and feels cool  There’s a reason white is a popular colour in hot countries and that is because it reflects away light and helps keep you fresh.  White linen is a great base for casual outfits as white can be mixed and matched with just about anything, even a loud Hawaiian shirt.

Caring for a White Linen Suit

There is a downside to white linen and that is that marks very easily and really shows up the dirt.  Maybe that’s why we associate it with the wealthy?  No one else could afford the cleaning bills.  Fortunately, with modern cleaning techniques it is possible to keep your white linens white. However, prevention is better than cure.  Try not to stain them in the first place. A gentleman should always be in control, and that applies to eating and drinking too.  There is nothing cool about dribbling your ice-cream or spilling your drink.   Still, accidents do happen and, in emergencies, small stains can be washed out with a touch of seltzer (carbonated or fizzy) water.

White Linen For You

When setting up your summer wardrobe always include at least one white linen suit and ideally two.  It is worth investing in one good classic white linen suit for special occasions.  Like a tuxedo it is something that you will have and use for years to come.  Then add a nice casual version for summer wear.  Those two suits alone will ensure that whether it’s hot nights or cool days, you can look like every woman’s knight in a white linen suit.

How To Look A Million Dollars In A Cheap Linen Suit

  By D Clothier | May 10, 2010 - 9:02 pm | Linen Suit, Mens Suits
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A great advantage of the linen suit is that you don’t have to spend a fortune to look good in one.  Of course, if you have a fortune available, then a much wider range of suits will be available to you and it will be worth investing in a selection.   But there is no need to turn your nose up at a ready to wear linen suit off the rack.

Why a Cheap Linen Suit Doesn’t Have to Look Cheap

Linen suits, and in particular casual summer suits, do not need the heavy tailoring of the traditional business suit.  As they are lighter and less structured the quality of tailoring becomes less important.  In any event, as it is a linen suit it is going to get creased and crumpled fairly quickly.  For casual wear  having a few cheap linen suits that you can throw on will allow you to look cool with little effort.   Especially if you’re going for a stylishly dishevelled look.

Wearing a Cheap Linen Suit

The cheap linen suit is ideal for casual summer wear.  Think of it as a pair of linen pants with an optional linen jacket.  It can be teamed with anything.  A light coloured suit in tan or khaki will contrast nicely with brighter coloured shirts and is ideal for days at the beach or on vacation.  Most people don’t think of dark toned linen suits but they are available.  I find a cheap black linen suit with a pair of loafers and a lightweight black t-shirt or dark shirt is ideal for relaxing around town on a hot day without looking like a tourist.

Mixing Your Linen

Linen lends itself to being blended with other materials to make a serviceable and affordable lightweight material.  The two combinations you are most likely to find at the budget end of the market are cotton linen mix and synthetic linen mix.  Not only are these cheaper but, as long as the proportion of linen in the mix is quite high, they will give you the linen look while being less prone to creasing.  The addition of polyester or other materials may make them warmer than pure linen which can be useful on chilly sunny days in spring and fall.

Where and When to Buy?

Pretty much all of the major clothing stores will stock cheap linen suits in season.  It’s worth taking the time to try a few of them as they will vary greatly from store to store.  While we are trying to save money we still want the best suit we can get for the few dollars we’re willing to spend.  It’s also worth considering buying in end of season sales or on special offers.  Even a ready to wear linensuit will last several seasons and a good affordable linen suit bought at the end of the summer will be perfectably wearable for the next few years.

What Next?

With all that money left over after stocking up on good affordable linen suits, why not use the money you have saved and buy a ticket to beach?   What better place to pose in your new suit than listening to the waves rolling in or sitting at a little café watching the girls walk to the sea.