Summer is officially here and after months of grey weather, the goal is to spend as much time outside as possible - and look great while doing so. But it can be tricky navigating summer fashion, especially for those of us who are prone to working up a sweat as soon as the sun appears.
Between leaning into swimwear as daywear and the sheer trend taking over, it’s clear to see why everyone is playing around with different fabrics in their wardrobe. And linen is one to know. Notably, linen is an airy fabric that is quite literally designed for warmer weather.
No matter where you’re headed over the next few months, linen looks just as good on a beach as it does in the city, so start figuring out your outfits right now.
Below, we’ve got some much-needed style inspiration for you to consider.
Linen trousers and a white t shirt
A smart pair of linen trousers is great for anything—whether it be for work or a day out with friends. For a quintessential summer outfit, go for something like this: some light coloured linen trousers paired with a white cotton top or plain white tee. This look is effortless but still super stylish.
M&S Pure Linen Wide Leg Trousers
COS Slim Cotton T-Shirt
Linen blazer and a slip dress
The linen blazer as the unlikely hero of summer dressing is a hill I will die on. Thrown over a lace-trim slip dress in the same tonal family, it takes an outfit that could read purely evening and makes it work from lunch straight through to whenever the night ends.
The oversized cut means the linen breathes properly - no sticking, no overheating - and the lace hem peeking out underneath is doing more than enough to keep it interesting. One bag, one pair of sandals, done.
H&M Linen-blend Blazer
Mango Satin Lace Dress
Arket Woven Patent Leather Flats
Linen matching set
When in doubt, throw on a matching set. It’s the easiest way to quickly get out the door during those balmy summer days filled with exciting last minute plans.
Not only is a set chic, but it allows you to look put together, even if you don’t feel it. And with a nice linen set like this, you can really dress it up or down. Adding heels lifts it into evening territory and throwing on some sandals makes it perfect for a more low-key event.
Nobody's Child Navy Gingham Square Neck Top
Sezane Low Bruna Mules Taupe Khaki
VERAFIED Belted suede tote bag
Linen blouse and a midi skirt
This is the outfit that answers everyone who thinks linen only comes in oatmeal and white. A powder blue voluminous linen blouse unbuttoned low enough to flash a lace bralette underneath - worn with a chic midi skirt - is the kind of combination that looks like it took real thought, but is genuinely one of the easier outfits to throw together. The linen keeps the volume from feeling heavy; the leather skirt keeps it from looking too casual. Ankle-strap heels and a tan bag to close it out.
Monday La Jolla Shirt - Azure Linen
Mejuri Dôme Cuff Bracelet
Linen summer dress
A white linen maxi is the closest thing fashion has to a no-brainer. One dress, one decision, and you're out the door looking like you've put considerably more thought into it than you have. The key is in the fit - loose enough to actually breathe in, long enough to feel considered rather than thrown on. Accessories can do as much or as little as you want them to.
Reformation Delilah Linen Dress
Le Specs Outta Love – Tortoise Polarised
Dune Loupe Tan Slider Sandals
Linen shorts and a crochet top
The dark-brown-and-cream contrast is doing a lot of work here, and it proves that linen doesn't have to mean head-to-toe neutral. Longline linen shorts in a warm off-white feel more considered than a mini and work harder across your summer calendar - beach bar to city terrace without a second thought.
The crochet top adds texture without adding warmth, which is exactly the kind of layering logic that makes sense when it's actually hot outside. Finish with a woven tote and thong sandals and you're done.
Sezane Palmina Blouse
Hush Lya Linen Blend Long Bermuda Shorts
Vagabond Izzy Sandals
Linen minidress and biker boots
Another quick and easy summer outfit idea is a linen dress. This sleeveless cream shift dress is a great example of something easy to throw on during the warmer days. And you can accessorise it as much or as little as you want, depending on your plans.
With Nothing Underneath Sloane Dress
Free People Crochet Hair Scarf
Alohas Sajan Vintage Effect Brown Leather Boots
Aiyana Ishmael is the style editor at Cosmopolitan magazine. In her work, Aiyana focuses on the culture of fashion and how it intertwines and shapes the zeitgeist. She is an award-winning journalist from Miami, Florida, and a graduate of the historically Black university, Florida A&M. She is a 2024 Forbes 30 Under 30: Media honoree, and her debut romance novella PASSING GAME is set to release March of 2027 (831 Stories/Simon & Schuster).
Kara Kia is the Ecommerce Editor for Women's Lifestyle at Hearst UK, leading Cosmopolitan UK's digital shopping strategy across fashion, beauty and lifestyle. With over eight years of experience as a journalist and editor, Kara specialises in skincare, makeup, haircare and helping women find their personal style — trying and testing every product she recommends. A trusted voice in fashion and beauty ecommerce, Kara's most-read guides include the best wedding dresses under £1000, the best affordable jewellery brands, the best Korean skincare products, and the best products for curly hair. She also covers major shopping events including Black Friday and Amazon Prime Day for Cosmopolitan, Red and Prima. Kara previously held the role of contributing Fashion and Beauty Ecommerce Editor at ELLE UK and Harper's Bazaar UK; before joining Hearst, she was Fashion Content Editor at NET-A-PORTER's Porter Magazine, Associate Editor at PopSugar, and wrote for Refinery29 and LOVE Magazine. An experienced interviewer, she has spoken to Zendaya, Alicia Keys, Simone Biles and Tyla about life, work and style. Born and raised in Kingston, Jamaica and formerly based in Toronto, Kara now lives in London. Follow Kara on Instagram @kara.kia
