How to Wear a Linen Suit
Men's Linen Suit Style Guide
You want a suit. You want it to look great. You want it to be comfortable. You want your mum to look at you and think you’re making good choices. The answer is simple. Linen Suit. Lightweight, breezy, and more versatile than Robert DeNiro (actor of his generation frankly). And, if British summertime does it’s summertime thing, then perfect for adding a touch of style, substance and understated I-don’t-know-what to your continental weekend away. Dress them up, dress them down, dress them with a Percival T, or with nothing at all if you’re feeling particularly bold. And our bestselling Percival suits are in stock. Me, I like the cream one. And the Percival classic forest green. Some of the others too. OK, maybe all of them.
You want your mum to look at you and think you’re making good choices
What shirt to wear with a linen suit?
What shirt do you want to wear? Is it one of our knitted polos, buttoned up so that you’re carrying just a hint of mod but with a softness that says ‘it’s not the 50s anymore, life is better now’? Perhaps you want to team it with one of our classic Perci Cubans, call it Miami Vice meets, I don’t know, Havana Vice? Dress it up with a collared shirt and tie. Or down – a simple t-shirt with a Perci suit will look relaxed and casual, and make you look like one of those people who just threw something on and it looks amazing. You know the ones.
Do you wear a linen shirt with a linen suit?
Look, linen dates back to the ancient Greeks and those fellas loved a head-to-toe linen look. Practical in the pynx, adaptable in the agora. A linen shirt with a linen suit will give a relaxed, understated look – and be comfortable as hell. Try pairing our light blue jacket with a stone or white Cuban and tell me you don’t feel like inventing a system of government. Avoid those lace up sandals though. The Greeks didn’t get everything right.
What shirt to wear with a double breasted suit?
A double breasted suit comes with lapels the size of small aircraft wings, so the shirt underneath should keep its ego in check. A crisp white or light blue shirt does the job nicely, clean and sharp while the jacket takes centre stage. Feeling more relaxed? Swap the shirt for a Waffle T Shirt. Textured, easy, and suddenly the double breasted suit looks less boardroom and more smart casual operator.
Find the shirt that works for you
When should you wear a linen suit?
When shouldn’t you? Seriously, I’m asking. Weddings, bar mitzvahs, office parties, flashy Uber rides? All great opportunities. And we have great linen options for all of them – colours and styles for all occasions. People say linen is a summer fabric, made for the heat. And they’re right. But they are also wrong. Which is why you should never trust people. Yes, it will wick away the heat at that roasting hot wedding you’re going to in the south of France, but it will also keep you comfortable long into the chilly night at the reunion you’ve got coming up in Cornwall.
What trousers to wear with a linen suit?
Okay – stay with me on this. Often, when you get a suit, it has trousers. So that’s a good starter option. Percival Linen suits also have shorts, so there’s another option right there. But – and this is where it gets really fun – our linens go brilliantly with OTHER trousers. What?! Yes. I am completely serious. You can pair a Perci linen jacket with our linen trousers in any way you like – whatever you think looks best. A simple pair of chinos will give it a bit of an ‘I own a yacht’ vibe, but maybe that’s what you’re after.
Best trousers for a summer wedding
Summer wedding suit trousers depend entirely on the postcode. Maldives beach ceremony? Linen trousers, breathable, relaxed, and built for heat that makes the horizon wobble. Church in Hoxton? Still light, just sharper. Pleated trousers are very much back this season, adding a bit of continental confidence to the outfit. Percival suit trousers are tailored through the leg, meaning a clean silhouette without cutting off circulation halfway through the vows.
What shoes to wear with a linen suit?
Sneakers are good. These are light, airy garms, so you want light airy shoes. If you’re thinking that tonight is the night for a dressier look, then you would be right. A tidy pair of loafers are a great option – and it’ll show off your ankles, every gentleman’s most sultry joint.
What tie to wear with a linen suit?
If you’re thinking tie, then there are options. Bow tie, necktie, bolo tie, pad thai. You name it. Find one that works for your style. You want to offset the texture of the suit with the tie. Linen leans casual, so consider something that carries that through – a knitted tie is a great option, or something patterned. Whatever your look, linen is a good option. Versatility for all occasions, and plenty comfortable enough for the show and the after party.
