The 15 Best Linen Suits to Keep You Cool Under the Sun

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The sun is shining, the humidity is unbearable, and you’re sweating just standing. All you want to do is reach for shorts, sandals, and the lightest shirt in your closet. But there’s an event to attend, a scenario that requires you to dress up. It could be a wedding, a boardroom meeting, or an IRL job interview. You can’t get away with anything less than a two-piece. It’s time for a linen suit.

Linen—of all the standard materials used in suiting—is the lightest, the most breathable. The trade-off is that linen, in its purest form, is far less structured than other fabrics. That could work if the event at hand is casual. But if you really want to look distinguished, reach for a cut that’s mixed with cotton, silk, or even wool. A suit with these blends will hold its shape and offer the airiness you’re looking for. It’s what linen does best.

We have all these options (including a few surprises—if you’re into striped suits, checked suits, or suits with some damn cool linings, keep scrolling) below, ready to give you some ventilation in the sweltering summer heat no matter the occasion.

Ludlow Slim-Fit Suit Jacket

Wedding season is rounding the corner, and if the event is outdoors and the dress code is black tie optional, semiformal, cocktail, beach formal, or dressy casual, J.Crew’s iconic Ludlow suit—a style we endorse regularly—is as foolproof as it gets.

Ludlow Slim-Fit Unstructured Suit Pants

Mercer Linen Blazer

If you’re not ready to squeeze into a slim-fit suit just yet, Alex Mill has a looser option. The two-piece is less structured and gives off a laid-back vibe, but it still looks presentable enough to wear out and about.

Standard Pleated Pants

Italian Linen Sutton Suit

Todd Snyder knows how to make effortlessly chic, cool-guy clothes, and when it comes to linen suits, it’s as if they have it down to a science. This charcoal number is a day-to-night look that’ll never go out of style and can be worn with any number of shirts underneath.

Linen Tailored Blazer

This 100 percent linen suit in gorgeous green is an eye-catcher for sure. Pair it with a crisp shirt and skinny tie (and, of course, the matching pants below) and you’re sure to secure Most Stylish Guy at the Function status.

Linen Tailored Trousers

Linen-Blend Suit Jacket

Need a classy linen suit in a pinch? Amazon never fails. Perry Ellis has an option that’s chic, versatile, and incredibly easy to style and wear.

Suit Pants

100% European Linen Blazer

For under $100 per piece, Quince’s linen suit is one you might just want to get in every color available. The single-breasted style has crisp, clean tailoring and a slim silhouette.

100% European Linen Pants

Solid Linen Suit

We have to give it up to Italian tailoring—they know how to do a linen suit. This is breathable and basic, so you’ll look and feel cool, especially with contrasting white buttons and an anti-creasing double vent.

Arroyo Cotton-Linen Suit Jacket

Banana Republic is a master at styles that are equal parts disheveled (in the best sense) and distinguished, the kinds of pieces that have character and won’t annihilate your bank account. This linen suit is a prime example.

Arroyo Cotton-Linen Suit Pants

Polo Soft Modern Linen Suit Jacket

If you’ve watched Gosford Park, Downton Abbey, or anything created by Julian Fellowes, you know that going to the countryside is an event. The men never disappoint with their fits. Their suits are richly textured and expertly tailored and reflect their sprawling woodland estates. Capturing all of this is this beautiful linen suit from Polo Ralph Lauren.

Linen Suit Trousers

Light Brown Havana Suit

Whether you’re headed to a summer wedding or a backyard cocktail hour—or enduring a humid commute to the office—Suitsupply’s basic, versatile linen suit is a top contender. It is effortlessly put together, with a double-breasted blazer and pleated pants, so even when you’re combusting under the summer sun, you’ll look like you aren’t breaking a sweat.

Slim-Fit Herringbone Linen Suit Jacket

With a jacquard-woven undercollar and a funky floral lining, this suit is all about understated elegance. At first glance, it’s outwardly chic and classy, but upon further inspection—from the tonal buttons to the super-lightweight, summery fabric—it’s all in the details.

Straight-Leg Herringbone Linen Suit Trousers

Linen, Cotton, and Nylon-Blend Blazer

For a basic black linen suit, Mr P. has you covered. This comfortable style, with its tailored look, is a staple that’ll be in your wardrobe for years to come.

Pleated Linen, Cotton, and Nylon-Blend Trousers

Navy Linen Check Jacket

Sometimes a plain ol’ solid fabric won’t cut it. Ted Baker has a lightweight, fresh, breezy checked suit, made from rich navy linen, that brings some elegance to summer.

Navy Linen Check Trousers

Sloop Stripe Linen & Cotton Suit

Or, if stripes are more your style, Massimo Alba has an unmissably cool option. With three pockets on the suit jacket and relaxed, chic trousers, this is a suit you can dress up or down with ease.

Silk, Cashmere, and Linen-Blend Suit Jacket

Brioni brings all the elegance and luxury with a silk, cashmere, and linen suit in icy mint green. With wide peak lapels and a tailored fit, this is a cool and classy summer look.

Ischia Slim-Fit Pleated Silk, Cashmere, and Linen-Blend Suit Trousers

Why You Can Trust Esquire

We’re not going to say something is great unless it’s actually great. Every Esquire roundup is carefully curated by our fashion and e-commerce teams.

When it comes to linen suits, you can rest assured that we’ve hand-selected styles that we’ve personally tried, tested, and loved, along with styles that the rest of our stylish colleagues here at Esquire endorse for their own wear. We’ve gone through a lot of trial and error, and these picks are the ones that are simply the best.

Every product on this list (and our other lists!) was chosen based on years of wearing different things, seeing what we love and what we don’t, and going from there. No two men have the same taste, because no two men are the same, so your proverbial mileage may vary. But if you’re looking for the perfect place to start, with advice from folks who care (possibly too much!) about this sort of stuff, this is the place to be.

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