The timeless elegance of cool, crisp linen
The summer's must-have shirt
During the warmest months, it’s almost impossible not to think about adding to your wardrobe with a selection of linen shirts, designed to be worn at any time of day: from the impeccable classic pure white, perfect for summer in the office or an elegant dinner out under the stars, to different garment-dyed shades in new colourways for stand-out leisure time looks.
Linen: The story of a sustainable yarn with a low carbon footprint
It’s no coincidence that this yarn has resisted through centuries of history. In fact, linen was being used as far back as 8000 BCE, when it was also used in ancient Egyptian tombs to cover the remains of the Pharaohs and of Cleopatra. Considering its importance now, even in terms of sustainability (since growing flax takes about one third of the water used to grow cotton), it has become an established crop in different parts of the world, even Italy. Premium quality linen is also being produced in Belgium, the Netherlands, and France, although excellent results are also coming from Eastern Europe, Russia, the Baltic States, Chile and Brazil.
The properties, consistency and processing of linen
Linen consists of 70% cellulose, making it one of the most resistant, natural textile fibres, as well as the most effective when it comes to absorbing moisture. Its durability and hard-wearing nature has also been tested by countless washes. Linen is made from the stem of a plant that is about 80-120 cm high, with few branches and small white or light blue flowers that bloom for just one day. This plant (flax) is entirely uprooted to obtain fibres that are as long as possible. After the maceration stage, the textile fibres are separated from the woody residues to remove any impurities.
The linen shirt: from total look to unexpected mixes and matches
If a matching outfit with shirt untucked can create a bold effect, worn casually with a pair of loafers, sandals or espadrilles (Zegna has not long dedicated a whole SS24 show to this noble textile), it is always at its boldest and best - especially for women - when an iconic white linen shirt is paired with trousers or a skirt in silk, to make the most of the glamour that comes from a classic item, whose elegance is able to withstand the diktats of fashion and the passing of time.
