Why Linen Shirts Are a Must-Have in Men's Fashion

You need a linen shirt. Or several. Men’s linen shirts aren’t always appropriate, but nothing is more stylish in situations where they are appropriate. When you’re preparing for your week, it’s wise to check the weather forecast and consider the possibilities offered by that most comfortable of men’s wear: the linen shirt.

If you’re going to wear a linen shirt – and like we said, you should … sometimes –  there are several things to consider. Chief among these are the disadvantages of a linen shirt. First, linen shirts aren’t warm. Wearing a linen shirt in the winter is a recipe for catching a chill. Second, linen shirts wrinkle. They wrinkle easily and they wrinkle often.

That propensity to wrinkle causes many men to forgo linen shirts entirely. That’s likely a mistake, according to Scott Shapiro, a Taelor stylist. 

“I know when I’m styling guys in the warmer weather, I send a lot of linen shirts,” Scott said. “And sometimes the guys get back to me and say ‘this wrinkles too easily.’ But I think some of them maybe just aren't as familiar with the fabric.”

A few wrinkles add to the causal appeal of a linen shirt, he said.

“I think that's part of the look. I think it looks good,” Scott said. “It's one of those rare fabrics where it's almost meant to be a little bit more lived-in. But that being said, I would not ever suggest wearing something like that to work.”

Light Color Linen Shirt: (left)SHIXI BRIGHT GREEN LINEN BUTTON UP SHIRT (mid) R2 AMSTERDAM WHITE WITH MULTI-COLORED ABSTRACT LEAF PRINT LINEN LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRT (right) YELLOW SKIN LIGHT BLUE LINEN LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRT

So when is the right time to wear a linen shirt? 

“I do think that there's a time and a place for it and that’s when you're getting out of town for the weekend,” Scott said. “I think they’re great for warmer weather, even if you're just going to like the Jersey Shore or something. To me it always felt like something for a summertime vacation.”

But if you’re traveling by plane to that summer vacation, a linen shirt may not be a perfect choice, according to Joanna Medeiros, another of Taelor’s stylists. “It does not travel well,” she said. “If you’re packing it, you better bring a clothes steamer with you.”

Muted Color Linen Shirts: (left) RAILS SAND PLAID LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRT (mid)DONATO BROWN LINEN MIDWEIGHT LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRT (right) R2 AMSTERDAM DARK OLIVE GREEN LINEN LONG SLEEVE BUTTON UP SHIRT

Still, despite the difficulties presented by linen fabric, there are other occasions where a linen shirt works well, according to Melissa Slavick, another Taelor stylist. For example, a button-up linen shirt in muted colors is perfect for some casual weddings. ““You want to dress to match the location. If it's a beach wedding, make sure you wear linen or something lightweight.”

Slavick also thinks a linen shirt, perhaps paired with chinos, is a good choice for a first date in warmer weather.

And despite their reputation as semi-casual attire, it’s possible to dress up a button-down linen shirt by pairing it with a blazer. Some guys will even opt to wear a long-sleeve linen shirt with a lightweight suit during the hottest times of the year. Linen is a breathable material. You’ll feel less sticky and uncomfortable in a linen shirt even in the middle of August.

Caring for a linen shirt

A linen shirt requires more care than many of the items in your closet. A button-down linen shirt isn’t a pair of jeans that you can just throw into the washer and dryer. 

As a general rule, a linen shirt should be washed in cold water and then line dried in the shade. If you insist upon using a dryer, remove the shirt while it’s still damp and put it on a hanger. That will help reduce wrinkles.

Those wrinkles will happen, though. Linen wrinkles. It just does. Owning a linen shirt requires that you also own an iron (or a clothes steamer) and know how to use it. Medium heat, please, while the shirt is still damp. 

Storing a linen shirt requires a different approach to storing a cotton shirt. Linen is a very sensitive material. Leaving it on a clothes hanger will stretch and damage the fabric. So fold linen shirts carefully and store them in a cool, dry place.

Of course, the easiest way to avoid the washing, drying, and ironing required of linen shirts is to rent them, rather than buy them. If you’re a Taelor customer, talk to your stylist about adding linen shirts to your rental subscription.

Caring for the planet with a linen shirt

For guys who are environmentally conscious, linen is a wise choice.

Linen fiber is a natural textile, like cotton fiber. Linen is made from the stems of the flax plant. Like cotton, linen is sustainable and biodegradable. It will break down into its constituent parts over a few years, rather than over a few centuries like polyester-based fabrics do.

Introducing Brand Partner- SHIXI

To truly appreciate the comfort and sustainability of linen, it’s worth taking a look at clothing from SHIXI, Taelor’s featured brand partner.

SHIXI offers clothing made in the “Bu-Yie” method of ancient Taiwan. Each piece is handmade with linen and cotton and then colored with natural dye. The result is attire of unmatched comfort. Even more interestingly, the natural dyeing techniques create one-of-a-kind earth tones that convey a connection with the natural world. 

SHIXI’s minimalist clothes are perfect for meditation, relaxation, or casual weekends. Rent SHIXI from Taelor and embrace comfort, beauty, and the love of the environment.

(left) SHIXI BLACK LINEN LONG SLEEVE TUNIC (mid) SHIXI BLUE LINEN TUNIC (right) SHIXI BROWN LINEN LONG SLEEVE TUNIC

By Paul Conley