From coastal grandma to quiet luxury: why linen is always on trend | Linen for life

It might feel premature to pack away our warmer clothes while grappling with the unpredictable weather (hello, UK), but hear me out – I believe in collective manifestation, and if we all put our heads together, we will have a summer this year. I, for one, am yearning to ditch my knits and coats for something fresher and floatier – that top-tier summer essential: linen.

While linen might once have been synonymous with vacationing grandparents, it is now the epitome of the “quiet luxury” trend. The core of its luxuriousness lies in its simplicity. It’s the only holiday outfit where creases are as forgivable as the number of Aperol spritzes you’ve indulged in by noon. The natural fabric’s tendency to crease is, in fact, what gives it its “easy, breezy” appeal (and the thought of not getting the iron out during your summer break makes it even more appealing).

While linen may evoke the essence of summertime, I firmly believe it has a place in every season. Not just weather wise, but style wise too. Linen is a staple fabric for the modern wardrobe, and pops up on the runway again and again. While it does require a little care and attention to look its best, the soft lines and gentle draping it provides are like no other.

Fashion aside, the fabric’s versatility means it has found its way into other areas of my life. You can find me googling “linen bedsheets” until ungodly hours, adding linen napkins to the dinner table for instant chic, and cosying up with large, linen cushions.

Linen’s lure? Originating from the flax plant, it boasts a luxurious texture, unparalleled breathability, and remarkable durability. In fact, it’s been considered a luxury since Egyptian times – pharaohs were often depicted draped in swathes of linen.

Plus, in an era when environmental concerns are increasingly pressing, linen is kinder to the environment than cotton as flax production requires less water and fewer pesticides. Linen also has natural antibacterial properties and wicks away sweat – helping clothes to stay fresher for longer. Fewer washes, combined with the fabric’s natural durability, helps linen last longer. Natural fibres for the win.

Much like the timeless appeal of the LBD, a white linen shirt has a crisp effortlessness that makes it a wardrobe staple. But, lately, I’ve been breaking with tradition and experimenting with colour. Linen works just as well in soft shades such as sage green and buttery yellow as it does in bolder hues – I like to wear a cobalt blue shirt every now and again to spice things up.

Uniqlo’s linen shirt ticks all the boxes for me. Firstly, the natural fabric is made exclusively from 100% premium linen certified by European Flax, known for its traceable production, cultivated without artificial irrigation and GMO free, resulting in a soft texture and a subtle sheen. It’s also the perfect fit whatever the occasion – whether that’s sizing up to pair it with shorts for a weekend in the sun, or a more tailored look at work. That cobalt blue shirt was, in fact, from a previous Uniqlo collection, and I still reach for it in my wardrobe. Designed to last, the shirts can withstand wash after wash, even softening over time. Call it a reward for doing your laundry.

So forgive me if I turn my back on fast trends and slip quietly into my “coastal grandma” era. Because aside from anything else, linen is just easy. That’s why a linen co-ord is guaranteed a spot in my weekend away bag – not only to keep me cool by day, but to easily create an elevated dinner look (paired with a bold red lip for added impact). After all, linen was once favoured by royalty, and if it’s good enough for them, it’s good enough for me.

Trishna’s Uniqlo edit: