Summer’s Here Boys, and You Need to Catch up with the Latest in Summer Fashion. Feel Classy and Comfortable with the Best Linen Shirts for Men in 2019

Linen is the best fabric to don during the summer heat. A natural fiber created out of the stalks of Linum usitatissimum, a flax plant, Linen is highly breathable even when compared to cotton, given its low thread counts. With a high moisture absorbency rate and its hypoallergenic properties, Linen is perfect for hot and humid climates. While it is 30% stronger than cotton, Linen’s main advantage lies in the fact that it is long-lasting and starts unraveling only after about 3-5 years of use. Linen becomes shinier and softer with each wash, and the fibers don’t stretch much, making it resistant to wear and tear, although continuous ironing and folding may wear out the collars in linen shirts.

Linen continues to be a polarizing material and so it is as such difficult to find genuine linen fabric these days. The market is aware of the general aversion people have to crease and hence the manufacturers tend to blend linen with cotton or silk, resulting in a lightweight fabric with breathability, great construct and a distinct European casualness. To wear Linen confidently is to become comfortable with its relaxing rumples and the best way to accustom to it is by donning a linen suit. Perfect for a summer soiree, a simple 2-piece allows one to beat the heart and look smart. Paired with a crisp cotton gingham shirt in a contrasting texture/pattern will complete the look! To maintain the suit, it is essential to remove the jacket while driving or sitting for an extended period and since trousers tend to wrinkle easily, it is best to gently lift the pants from the knees as you sit down, minimizing the stretch in the fabric, the sag and then the wrinkles.

To stay comfortable and yet look professionally suave, go with a neat cut linen blazer. To prevent the trousers from creasing, keep them ironed in a dark cotton/cotton blend and go in for a lighter jacket up top, teamed with chinos/ jeans for a crisp weekend look. Then, there’s the linen shirt option, which owing to its laid back appeal, a well-cut shirt in sky blue can slide in under a suit to tone down on the formal look or a t-shirt and shorts for a casual combination takes your style quotient a notch up.

Linen doesn’t attract any lint and hence is easier to maintain. However, it is wise to avoid dry cleaning it unless the blazer is tarnished. Dry cleaning’s harsh chemicals don’t really help the fabric. In terms of washing, a lukewarm hand/machine wash is best, once complete, simply hang dry the fabric. A quick iron when the material’s still damp is a good idea, especially when it is excessively creased. Avoid ironing the crease of the collars as it may damage the fibres and it is best to roll the linen shirt rather than folding it sharp.

Being a gorgeous natural fabric, Linen is super comfortable throughout the year and especially during warm weather months. Linen may look delicate, but is highly durable, however you should always check on the label and take into account any special instructions before cleaning your garment. If the fabric is a blend of linen and cotton/rayon, the instructions for its upkeep can be different. Usually linen shirts, shorts, trousers, skirts can be machine laundered on a delicate/short cycle with a cold water wash and rinse without harsh detergents of course. Also note that new linen dyes tend to bleed in the wash, so it is best to separate your colors and your whites. After wash, air dry your linens on a padded hanger or place them flat on a drying rack. Do not wring them to lose the excess water, just roll them carefully in a towel to remove the moisture.

To hand wash your linen, gently wash it in detergent and cool water and rinse it well. For stain removal, try rubbing the stain with club soda/common hairspray or rubbing alcohol. Never bleach a linen. When ironing, set your iron on linen setting and iron when it is still damp to remove wrinkles more effectively. If the garment is absolutely dry then spritz it with water while using a steam iron or a normal iron.

Coffee Brown in color, Invictus slim fit solid pure linen formal shirt comes with a Mandarin collar, long sleeves, button placket and curved hem. Designed to give you the perfect level of comfort and durability, the Formal Linen Shirt is ideal for a dinner after work and can be teamed up with a cardigan and a pair of stylish glasses during winters. Available in sizes 38-44, the Coffee Brown Formal Pure Linen Shirt from Invictus is priced at Rs.1,119 and can be purchased from www.myntra.com.

This casual, check shirt with a regular fit is Rosatro’s breathable cotton linen shirt in half sleeves, perfect for a cool and vibrant vibe in the summers. Fade resistant and shrink resistant, this short sleeved shirt has a button down lapel and a beachy style. You can wear it on your vacation, for a cocktail party, a BBQ camp event or as a Lounge wear.

Available in sizes Medium to 3XL, the Summer Breathable Cotton Linen Casual Shirt from Rosatro is priced between Rs.1,039-1,099, depending on which size you choose and available at www.amazon.in.

Widen your collection of casual wear with this regular fit, long sleeved Linen Shirt from www.lifestylestores.com. Tailored with a curved hem, spread collar and a button placket, the Linen shirt has a classy appeal and looks best paired with Jeans and Loafers. With a solid design and full sleeves, the Linen shirt with a regular fit is best machine washed.

Available in sizes 42 and 46, the Regular Fit Long Sleeve Linen Shirt in Mauve color is priced at Rs.1,019.

Woven with a slub texture in white yarn, this spread collar classic fit Linen Shirt from Polo Ralph Lauren offers a Chambray Look in a summer friendly fabric and comes in the color pink. With a medium spread collar and signature Polo Ralph Lauren collar stays, it comes with a buttoned placket, long sleeves, a signature embroidered pony on the left chest and a comfortable, classic fit. The sleeve length is constructed from the backside of the neck’s center and changes between sizes. The Polo Ralph Lauren Classic Fit Linen Shirt is a 100% Linen, machine washable with a solid pattern, apt for casual wear. Available in sizes 44 and 46, it is priced at Rs.6,145 and available at www.myntra.com.

Fab India’s Lucknavi White, Slim Fit Linen Shirt comes in an Ikat weave and is best dry cleaned. Available in sizes 40 and 42, it is priced at Rs.2,990. Fab India recommends that the shirt is ironed on reverse and is not bleached or exposed to excessive heat or sunlight for long. Some other shades available in the Trim Fit category in Linen Shirts include Lucknavi Embroidery.

It is available on www.fabindia.com.

In a normal fit with a stand up collar, the short sleeved Irish Linen Shirt from www.linenstory.co.in, this lightweight textured fabric looks good with a few wrinkles and much better after a long day’s use on a summer afternoon. With a smooth surface, matt sheen and a high absorption capacity, this linen shirt helps regulate the body temperature naturally and is valuable for its exceptional coolness & freshness features. Available in sizes 38, 40 and 42, the Short Sleeved Irish Linen Shirt is priced at Rs.1,400 and is best washed in a front load washer in a gentle cycle or hand washed and then steam ironed.

Made of 100% genuine European Linen, the peach colored shirt from Linen Love is apt for casual affairs and is best paired with denims & brown loafers or beige chinos for a cool, man about the town look. With a regular slim fit, this solid patterned Linen Shirt comes in sizes medium to 2XL and is priced at Rs.1,599. The Justin Peach Half Sleeves Linen Shirt is available at www.linenlove.in.

Styled with a point collar and in full sleeves, the Linen Blend Shirt from Wrangler is a typical mainstay in most wardrobes with its solid design and regular fit. Available in sizes Medium to 2XL, the Linen Blend Full Sleeves Shirt is best machine washed. It comes in a navy blue color, priced at Rs.1,297 and can be purchased from www.lifestylestores.com.

Look dashing in this mustard colored Linen Shirt from Mufti. Made of 100% good quality Linen, the shirt is crafted in a slim fit style, is self-textured and designed with a shirt style collar. Available in sizes medium to 4XL, Mufti Mustard Full Sleeves Linen Shirt is available at www.tatacliq.com for Rs.1,499 and is best paired with black chinos and brown sneakers. Also available in other colors like Royal Blue, Khakhi, Peach, Checks in different colors, Ecru, Sky Blue, White and more.

Made of superfine Linen that’s sourced from one of the World’s finest mills, Positano Linen Classic Fit Shirt in Turquoise color from Zodiac is embellished with patented mother of pearl trinity buttons and weaved with a near invisible 21 stitches per inch. It is the perfect choice for warm weather with its highly breathable fiber. Available in sizes 38 and 46, the Positano Linen Classic Fit Turquoise Shirt is priced at Rs.3,499 and is also available in Yellow and Blue color.

It can be purchased from www.zodiaconline.com

A linen shirt is perhaps the only piece of clothing that’s timeless and elegant, and something every man must own in his wardrobe! A reliable fabric for almost all occasions and perfect for any time of the day, Linen is completely non fussy and can be worn differently each time. Here are 5 ways of donning a linen shirt with a different outlook to keep up with your handsome features!