Linen is the perfect fabric for the summer because it is lightweight, sweat-proof and versatile. This breathable fabric makes a great fashion staple and keeps you looking cool in the hot months - but make sure you iron it before you wear it.
I found Andrea (bottom) at an exhibition opening wearing an eye-catching white boyfriend blazer. She's paired her jacket with a mini-shirtdress to show some leg and a more feminine side. I like how she's left her jacket open and pushed up the sleeves; she is wearing grey socks with a pair of chunky strappy sandals, which is fashion-forward and innovative.
Felicity (right) is wearing more colour, although she has also picked a more feminine linen jacket (also in white) decorated with a lace trim. I like how she has contrasted this with an eye-catching tie dyed summer dress and a pair of nude strappy sandals. She's created a cool ethnic-inspired summer look and the colours flatter her skin tone. The ensemble looks comfortable and elegant.
Linen jackets will go with almost anything, so don't be afraid to experiment. Get a good quality, basic piece for the summer, such as a boyfriend blazer style. Avoid pairing this with long and loose-cut items such as a cotton maxi dress since linen is already a soft fabric. You might pair it with an item that is tailored to define your frame and curves, such as tailored Bermuda shorts or a casual mini shirt dress.
When it comes to accessories, I love tribal-inspired pieces, which are hot this season. Try to incorporate eye-catching, chunky accessories to spice up your look.
Linen jackets come in many styles and colours, so it should be easy to find one that suits you. I saw a very practical boyfriend blazer that comes in both white and forest green at Zara (IFC Mall, Central, tel: 2234 7305). Club Monaco (Fashion Walk, G/F, 27-47 Paterson Street, Causeway Bay, tel: 2895 0930) has a lemon yellow blazer with a buttonless front. I also saw a charcoal grey cropped blazer at Vanessa Bruno (Lane Crawford, Pacific Place, Admiralty, tel: 2155 8066), which is suitable for both the office and after hours.