Women · Smart Casual · Summer (South)
Summer Smart Casual (Women, Australia): Linen Set
One matching set, three outfits: worn together for work, separately for the weekend.
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Why it works
A matching linen set is the most efficient summer purchase you can make, and this oat version shows why. Worn together, the waistcoat and trousers create a continuous column of a single soft colour, which looks tailored and deliberate even though everything is relaxed and breathable. Worn apart, each piece pairs with a white tee, denim or a silk camisole, so two garments become at least three outfits.
The waistcoat as a top is the modern element. It has the polish of tailoring with none of the heat of a jacket, and it shows the arms, which is welcome when the temperature climbs past thirty. Oat is gentler than white and more interesting than beige; it suits the natural creasing of linen and flatters sun-warmed skin.
Flat leather slides and a woven tote keep everything at a summery pace. It is the kind of outfit that looks as good at a 9am meeting as at a 7pm dinner on the water.
Styling notes
- Buy the set in the same size and fabric batch so the colours match exactly.
- Wear the waistcoat with nothing underneath, or with a fine silk cami for a more conservative office.
- If you need a jacket for air-conditioned offices, choose a matching linen blazer in the same oat.
- Add a gold chain or simple earrings, nothing more.
The breakdown
-
A tailored, single-breasted waistcoat worn on its own as a top. It should skim the body and end at or just below the waist of the trousers.
- Budget
- A linen-blend waistcoat with a lining.
- Mid
- Pure linen waistcoat with a half lining and real horn-look buttons.
- Investment
- Heavy Belgian or Irish linen, tailored and fully finished.
-
High-waisted and wide, with a drawstring or flat waistband, in the same linen as the waistcoat. They should graze the ankle in flat shoes.
- Budget
- Linen-blend wide trousers with an elasticated back.
- Mid
- Pure linen wide-leg trousers.
- Investment
- Tailored heavy linen trousers with a pressed crease.
-
Wide-strap, padded leather slides in tan or cognac. They make the tailoring look relaxed and are comfortable in heat.
- Budget
- Leather-look slides with a padded footbed.
- Mid
- Leather slides with a cushioned sole.
- Investment
- Handmade leather slides on a contoured footbed.
-
Woven tote
A large woven tote in raffia or leather. It fits a laptop and makes the look feel summery.
- Budget
- A paper-straw tote with leather handles.
- Mid
- A hand-woven raffia tote.
- Investment
- A woven leather tote.
Wear it to
- Office: Worn as a set with the waistcoat buttoned, it is sharp enough for most summer offices.
- Weekend: Wear the trousers with a white tee or the waistcoat over jeans. Three outfits from two pieces.
Season
Northern hemisphere. Wear it June to August in a northern summer. For cooler days, add a matching linen blazer.
Southern hemisphere. For December to February in Sydney, Brisbane, Perth and Auckland. Linen is the most breathable choice in humid heat.
Shop the Look
Products coming soon
We only list pieces once we have checked the link, the retailer and the price ourselves, so this edit is still being verified. In the meantime, the breakdown above lists what to look for at three price levels.
- Oat linen waistcoat
- Matching oat wide-leg trousers
- Flat leather slides
- Woven tote
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The men’s version
The same idea, cut for a different wardrobe.
