[Pictured: J.Crew's Ludlow Irish Linen Suit]
Yesterday I stopped by the The Men's Warehouse to try on some suits. I'm planning to wear tan, and I need to get busy narrowing down my options. The Men’s Warehouse is carrying a Calvin Klein, two-button linen suit (on-sale), but I'm not sure how I feel about linen. The jacket felt and looked OK, however, the pants threw me off. Granted, they weren't the right length, and I wasn't wearing the right shirt or shoes, but they just didn't seem... right. Looking in the mirror, it seemed like I was wearing pajama pants, and the material was almost see-through. After some research I of course found that linen suits are completely suitable for summer suiting but make sure the suit is suited to your taste.
It's important to me to purchase a suit that I will wear again. A summer suit is already a seasonal item but as the editor of Sartorially Inclined says:
"while lots of guys are afraid of spending a good chunk of change on something so seasonal it really is a good asset for your arsenal. The great part of a summer suit is that it can often be easily broken down into its various elements and worn as seperates; what seems superfluous at first is actually quite versatile."
If you’re deciding whether or not to go linen for your summer wedding, you're making the choice between cotton or linen. Cotton is the other fabric of choice for summer suits, but there are very clear differences between the two. I turned to one of my favorite blogs for some help:
Cotton
"Cotton is king during the summer months; its natural wicking properties along with its strength and durability make it the choice for those looking to stay cool and get years of wear. However, because of their tendency to wrinkle, they do require frequent attention and are considered less casual – because of this I recommend a man have at least two well fitting suits in his wardrobe before purchasing a cotton jacket. Tropical weight wools are a hot weather alternative, but even though lightweight, they are still a bit warmer than cotton and require care when cleaning. On the other hand, the drape and feel of wool is unmatched, and if the jacket is half-lined and conservative in color, it may be the most versatile garment in your closet."
Linen
"Like cotton, this is a fabric made from a plant based fiber (flax) and has the perfect summer characteristics of wicking away moisture and dissipating heat. However, linen fabrics are often rougher and easily wrinkle, making them the least casual of summer fabrics despite their high price (this is a result more of so few producers and low demand compared with cotton). Despite the cost, a well informed gentleman realizes linen fabric is the most durable of fabrics, and a classic linen sports coat can last a lifetime if taken care of."
It really comes down to personal preference, and lucky for us cotton and linen suits look and feel very different, making the choice easier. Try on similar suits made from both fabrics. Get a feel of what you look better in and what you can see yourself wearing later. Take a look below for a head start.
Linen
"Like cotton, this is a fabric made from a plant based fiber (flax) and has the perfect summer characteristics of wicking away moisture and dissipating heat. However, linen fabrics are often rougher and easily wrinkle, making them the least casual of summer fabrics despite their high price (this is a result more of so few producers and low demand compared with cotton). Despite the cost, a well informed gentleman realizes linen fabric is the most durable of fabrics, and a classic linen sports coat can last a lifetime if taken care of."
It really comes down to personal preference, and lucky for us cotton and linen suits look and feel very different, making the choice easier. Try on similar suits made from both fabrics. Get a feel of what you look better in and what you can see yourself wearing later. Take a look below for a head start.
[Side by side comparison of J.Crew's Ludlow pants. Cotton VS Linen]
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