Linen is a natural fibre that keeps you ventilated and cool. It’s a brilliant fabric to wear in hot and humid weather when you want to feel covered without overheating, especially when the styles are roomy. Like wool, linen can be a little scratchy, but there are plenty of soft versions that feel really good. 

Linen does, however, crease uncontrollably, and the creases escalate throughout the day. For some, the high crease factor of linen is a reason not to wear it. Yet for others, it’s part of the appeal. But one thing is for sure, you have to be at peace with the crease when you wear a linen item of clothing. Embrace it, and enjoy the fabric for its unique qualities.

Linen pants were extremely popular in the ‘90s until they took a backseat in lieu of fancy fabrications with stretch. 100% linen pants seem to be gaining momentum though, which might have something to do with the ‘90s revival we’re seeing in fashion at the moment. The styles below are representative of the look. Most silhouettes are slouchy and casual. Some have a drawstring waist, while others feature structured waistbands. Pockets are common, but tailored fits are not. Lengths vary from cropped to full length, and colours are for the most part neutral. 

I believe that you can look polished in a pair of casual linen pants if you choose the support act carefully, and if you have an inherently polished style. Linen pants can also work for business casual when paired with sufficient structure, a dressy integrity, fashionable footwear, and neatness. Linen pants also look great as part of an intentionally “rough around the edges” or RATE look. In that case it’s more dressed down, but just as fab. 

My clients run the gamut when it comes to linen pants. Some loathe linen in any shape or form because of the incessant creasing and pajama-esque vibe. Too casual, unpolished, and not very stylish to their eye. Some will wear a linen top but draw the line at linen pants. And some will happily wear linen pants because of their tropical integrity, relaxed vibe, comfort factor and breezy wearability.

I wore linen pants in the ’90s when we lived in a much warmer climate. In fact, I used to wear linen everything back then — suits, dresses, skirts, pants, tops and shorts. I loved it, and thought it was chic. Linen pants don’t work as well for me in Seattle because I run too cold. That said, if I lived in a warmer city, I would wear them again because I still think they look fab. Hot weather Slouchy Chic at its best. So I’m a yay vote all the way. In the meantime, I happily wear linen shirts and jackets with warmer bottoms and will enjoy linen pants on others.

Over to you. Do you or would you wear linen pants? Can you make peace with the crease?

Pairing linen tops, tees, knitwear and jackets with jeans and bottoms in crisper fabrics is one way to balance out the creased effect of linen. A lined linen jacket tends to crease a little less too. I’ve found that these tricks help me make peace with the crease, and I happily wear linen shirts and jackets. Actually, I like the way a slouchy linen shirt creases when worn with a pair of jeans or crisp pencil skirt. Plus a linen shirt screams Summer to me, and is perfect for a hot day.

I was having a Summer create session with lovely client Karen yesterday, and this is one of the outfits we put together. These are all the exact items, except for the scarf, which is similar to hers. Karen’s style has shifted. She’s dressing more casually than ever, embracing fluid fits, faded denim, pointy toed shoes and ankle straps. She’s showcasing her ankles for the first time in a long time, and loving it. 

Here are the pieces. Be sure to look through all the options to find the colours that suit you best.

• Banana Republic Roll-Up City Chino: Karen bought these in white and they’re fabulously lightweight (breezier than boyfriend jeans). Surprisingly, they fit a curvy pear shape and a straighter body type. Wear them lower on the waist, a little loose, and roll the hems for structure. Read the rave reviews. 
• Eileen Fisher Ballet Neck Organic Linen Top: This top is ventilating, yet covered. Non-scratchy with a pretty neckline. The shark-bite hemline in the front and back creates a forgiving fit on the midsection, and creates interesting lines on the outfit. The shorter length provides structure. No need to wear a camisole. Also available in colours. 
• Halogen Color Stripe Infinity Scarf: An infinity scarf is an easy pull-on-and-go, and this one is soft and Summery. It is not essential to wear a scarf with this outfit, but Karen loves wearing them and enjoys the extra chest coverage. 
• Charles David Bailey Pointy Toe Flat: Works quite well on a low volume foot despite the space on the vamp of the shoe. The slight wedge provides good support and the strap is adjustable. It’s harder to walk fast in this shoe, but it’s pretty comfortable nonetheless. The lighter ankle strap is an excellent match with white chinos, while the black pointy toe box bookends Karens black hair. 
• Gap 1969 Denim Jacket: A classic that needs no introduction. The denim jacket is not essential to the look, but in Seattle we almost always need a topper early in the morning or later at night.

Karen wears the top untucked without a belt, or partially tucks the front with a silver belt. The layered denim jacket creates interesting layers on the sides. Add sunnies and a bag, and you’re good to go. 

A texture-rich look that is comfortable, on trend, practical, chic, relaxed and ageless (Karen is in her seventies). And the best part about it for Karen is that she can stay covered in hot weather without overheating.

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Ballet Neck Organic Linen Top

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9

Nordstrom

Eileen Fisher Scoop Neck Linen Sweater (Regular & Petite)

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17

Gap

1969 denim jacket

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14

Nordstrom

Halogen 'Color Stripe' Infinity Scarf

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9

Banana Republic

Roll-Up City Chino

$69.50 $39.99

Sale

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15

Zappos

Fossil Fair Isle

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2

Nordstrom

Charles David 'Bailey' Pointy Toe Flat

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6

Twenty-something Marianela lives on Tenerife, the largest of the Canary Islands, and documents her outfits on her blog Marilyn’s Closet. Her style is very casually polished and super chic. She also loves the drama of a fun faux fur coat, adores hats and likes to sport Modern Classic pieces like crisp white button-downs. But it’s her practical casual footwear that immediately stood out to me. Our blogger is a big fan of comfortable shoes and has a knack for making more rugged-looking peds work for her inherently polished style. Such a breath of fresh air.   

Our blogger has a soft spot for faux fur coats, and has several in her collection. I especially like the effect of this peach-coloured number. It adds dramatic flair to this Modern Classic outfit. Marianela has tucked a crisp white button-down into a simple pair of blue skinny jeans. A timeless combination that gets its panache from the fluffy coat with three-quarter length sleeves. I also like how the collarless neckline and blingy rhinestone necklace accentuate the strict collar of the shirt. The necklace is cool-toned but works well with the warm-toned, on trend pastel peach and gold watch. Our blogger has a good eye for colour indeed: the nude pumps and beige satchel are not an exact match for the coat, but go well together. The bright pink lippie is an unexpected and fun touch.

This casual Euro chic look with Panama Jack ankle boots has stolen my heart. Marianela, who’s a big believer in practical, comfortable footwear, is a master at making more rugged-looking shoes work for her inherently polished style. The Winter whiteout creams paired with cognac, ochre and rust give this outfit an elegant and ’70s touch. The hip-length chunky knit sweater and single-breasted wool coat keep our blogger warm during the mild Tenerife Winter. The skinny pants have a floral jacquard pattern that adds subtle textural interest, and contrasts cleverly with the super smooth leather of the oversized crossbody bag. Our blogger’s bare ankles create structure, and draw extra attention to those statement ankle boots. Note how the light rubber soles echo the creams in the rest of the outfit. A nonchalantly draped scarf, floppy hat and big sunnies add playful flair.  

Marianela has polished sneaker style down pat. The zippered skinnies, denim-on-denim and iconic white Converse represent our blogger’s tomboy side. Here she combines them with a sassy sweatshirt with feminine floral print in beautiful colours. The purples are especially lovely with the light blue denim and whites. The untucked denim shirt peeking out from under the sweatshirt creates a proportionally well-balanced silhouette with the skinny jeans. The double zippers on the handbag echo the zips on the jeans. This metal detailing adds a touch of toughness that is counterbalanced by the white colour of the bag. Together with the white background of the sweatshirt, Marianela’s white watch, her berry pink lipstick and long straight locks, the overall effect is one I like to call pretty tomboy.

There’s something very British countryside about this look that I find irresistible. That’s why I’m picking this as a second favourite. Skinnies tucked into knee-high boots may not be super on trend right now, but they are always in style, and I adore Marianela’s interpretation. It’s the combination of the just-rugged-enough boots with the polished plaid coat. Our blogger is a huge fan of Panama Jack footwear that is made in Spain. The cognac mixed-media boots are wonderful with the light blue destroyed denim, and also bring out the beautiful colours in the coat. The hip-length, belted style is spunky and traditional at the same time. Marianela is wearing a chunky knit white sweater underneath, with part of the sleeves showing from under the cropped length coat sleeves. A simple scarf and floppy hat add to the Ralph Lauren-esque vibe of this look. Our blogger’s long hair is definitely an essential accessory: just look at the way she repeats the colours of her hair in her outfits. Fab!

The hot pink paired with sunny orange immediately sold this outfit to me. Proof once again that well-chosen accessories pack a powerful punch. Here they transform a simple skinny jeans outfit into a stylish Summer statement. Marianela is also sporting an interesting oversized white blouse. The billowy fit — the blouse ties in the back to rein in some of the extra volume — lace-esque bib and pompom trims give this look a romantic girly vibe. The wide batwing sleeves are super breezy on hot days. The croc pattern on the happy-coloured handbag adds textural interest. The embellished pink flats remind me of yummy sweets and make me smile. Diamanté studs and a very fun zebra scarf finish off the look.

Wouldn’t this be perfect for a day of sightseeing in cooler temps? I adore Prussian blue. It’s a seasonless colour that works equally well in Summer and Winter. The ton-sur-ton colour palette really appeals to me. It has a soothing effect and gives the individual pieces a chance to shine. Marianela is a skinny jeans gal at heart. Here she’s paired them with a tunic sweater that hits her at a flattering length. The subtle marled effect and small studs on the shoulder add visual interest. The white blouse underneath adds a crispness that helps make the blues pop. The column of colour creates a long, lean line, that’s further emphasized by tucking the skinnies into blue booties. They’re the tougher element in this polished urban casual outfit creating a fun and very on trend juxtaposition. A blue animal print scarf brings some pattern into the mix. Her beige go-to Modern Classic trench can be thrown on whenever required, and her fab cognac bag makes another appearance.

Have a peek at Marianela’s outfit archives over on her blog, or check out her pins on Pinterest, but first let us know what you think of our blogger’s casual chic style.

Any shade of red, pink and orange counts. From burgundy, tomato red, fire engine, blush, fuchsia, magenta, shocking pink, bubblegum pink, and neon pink, to antique pink, Dutch orange, burnt orange and peach. Coral is a tricky one because it’s a mixture of pink and orange. But I’m going to lump it in with orange for this poll. Watermelon is equally tricky because it’s usually a pink red. I’m lumping it in with pink for this poll. 

I love wearing warm tones of red, pink and orange. Tomato red — a very orange red — is one of my favourite colours. I love wearing shocking pink, neon pink, bubblegum pink, persimmon, and shades of coral. I also love wearing blush, although it’s cooler than the warm tones that tend to look better against my complexion. I add brightness to blush by wearing it with white, black, tomato red, gold and faded blue denim. I wear shades of red and pink more frequently than shades of orange, because I prefer them. But I still can’t choose between red and pink, so I’m sitting this one out on the bench with mashed potatoes, sautéed wild mushrooms, and chocolate mousse. 

Over to you. Are you on Team Red, Team Pink or Team Orange? Tell us why and no batting for more than one team. Feel free to join me on the bench if you can’t decide.