What Is the Best Linen Dress?
![What Is the Best Linen Dress? What Is the Best Linen Dress?](https://i0.wp.com/www.realsimple.com/thmb/NKkRO72xMiKBd6UbjCgpKXRIrWI=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/Best-linen-dresses-RS-tout-69a8b11e6a9f4f5294ad4a320150097f.jpg?w=780&resize=780,470&ssl=1)
There are so many wonderful things to love about summer, but the heat is definitely not one of them. Finding pretty and comfortable outfits that won’t leave you overheating and covered in sweat is no easy feat, but if you opt for a linen dress, you can expect to feel breezy and cool despite the high temps.
“Linen is a strong and durable fiber with unique properties that helps to regulate our body heat and keeps us comfortable in various climate conditions,” says Inka Apter, Director of Material Sustainability & Integrity at Eileen Fisher.
To find the best linen dresses on the market, we researched dozens of options and considered each piece’s fit, material, size range, price, style and more. We also spoke to Apter to get her expert insight on what to look for when shopping for linen dresses, and how to best care for them so that they last long. Read on for our recommendations, including midis, maxis, and everything in-between.
Best Midi Linen Dresses
Midi dresses hit that below-the-knee length that can work for a variety of occasions like weddings, vacations, and more. On our list below, you’ll find great linen midi dresses in a variety of styles, including sleeveless options like the Zara Strappy Linen Blend Midi Dress, and short-sleeve looks like the Anthropologie The Tommie Cap-Sleeve Smocked Front Zip Shirt Dress (it even has pockets!). As a result of their sleeve structure—or lack thereof in this case—Apter says these types of linen dresses are helpful for warm weather.
Best Maxi Linen Dresses
Everyone could use a maxi dress (or several) in their clothing arsenal, whether you plan on wearing them to weddings, beach parties, day trips, or any other occasion—formal or not. While maxis may sometimes seem like they only work for dressier events, linen fabric can make them feel much more low-key, especially in flowy, relaxed styles, per Apter.
For an affordable option, we suggest checking out the Abercrombie & Fitch High-Neck Linen-Blend Maxi Dress which features a high-neck and slit, and comes in three colors. Those looking for a maxi linen dress that’s more suitable for formal events, consider the Universal Standard Sunset Linen Flounce Dress which is made from stretchy linen, comes in four colors, and has a fun, ruffled hi-low hem (plus pockets!).
Best T-Shirt Linen Dresses
Thanks to their loose, relaxed fit, T-shirt dresses can provide plenty of comfort and breathability while not sacrificing style. According to Apter, many shirt dresses with button-up fronts add an extra touch to the pieces, and can help dress up the more casual options without making them feel stuffy or difficult to put on.
To really maximize on the casual look, the Universal Standard Seaside Linen Shirtdress and Everlane The Linen Eyelet Shirt Dress both have a relaxed fit that’s great for outdoor summer get-togethers. For a more eye-catching piece, the J. Crew Capitaine Shirtdress can be dressed up or down, and it comes with a removable belt for extra customization.
Best Wrap Linen Dresses
Wrap dresses create a lovely silhouette that makes them suitable for casual and formal events alike. The linen looks below may vary greatly in price, color, and size, but they all have the classic elegant wrap (or faux-wrap!) design that’s ideal for wear at the office, on coffee dates, and more.
At under $50, the H&M Linen-Blend Wrap Dress is an accessible choice that features long balloon sleeves and a short mini length. If you’re more gravitated toward the faux-wrap look, the Donna Karan New York Faux Wrap Linen Blend Midi Dress and the Banana Republic Silk-Linen Wrap Effect Midi Dress are also great choices as well—just know that they are a bit pricier.
How to Shop for Linen Dresses Like a Pro
Material
Linen dresses have long fibers made from flax plants that “feel smooth and cool on the body,” Apter says. “The fabric does not cling or feel sticky, as cotton sometimes does,” she adds. In other words, you should never feel sweaty or overheated while wearing a linen dress, even on the year’s hottest days.
The same is true even for linen-blend dresses, which are made from a combination of pure linen and cotton. Together, these materials create a soft and lightweight feel for the wearer (if slightly less breathable than with pure linen), and also tend to be less expensive than 100% linen alternatives.
Care
For the most part, most linen clothing, including dresses, all follow the same care rules. If you want your linen dresses to last forever and keep their look, Apter advises against overloading the washing machine “so that the garments do not get twisted, which can create deep-set creases.” She also suggests using a mesh mag and doing a low spin cycle, before either tumble drying the dress or air-drying it.
“If entirely air-dried, it will have a crisper hand. If a softer touch is desired, one can tumble dry it on low heat for a few minutes and then hang it until fully dried,” Apter says, also adding: “If you like a flatter appearance, you can easily achieve it by hanging the garment to dry and ironing it while still damp.”
Style and Fit
Like with many other materials, there are so many style options available in linen that can be easily dressed up or down, whether you prefer elegant maxis, casual shirt-dresses, or summery sleeveless looks (just to name a few options). Apter notes that popular warm-weather styles include “button-front shirt dresses, either sleeveless or with short sleeves.”
As for the best fit of linen dresses, that varies depending on your own taste. “Linen is very versatile. It can look very polished in sharply tailored garments, and very relaxed in more free-flowing styles,” says Apter. That said, linen dresses should also feel great during hot summer days, as “linen fibers do not have natural elasticity, especially with close fitting garments,” she adds.
Questions You Might Ask
What makes linen a good material for dresses?
There are a few key benefits of wearing a dress made of linen, according to Apter. For one thing, “linen can be woven in a variety of weaves and weights that are very breathable,” she notes, so you can stay comfortable and cool even on super-hot days, whether you’re in a linen shirt or dress. Additionally, linen tends to be durable and dries quickly after getting wet.
Plus, unlike cotton, linen doesn’t cling to the body or cause stickiness, and it also typically isn’t sheer, despite its breathability. “Lightweight linen still provides coverage that does not require layering,” says Apter.
How do you get wrinkles out of a linen dress?
Wrinkles are fairly common for most linen clothing, and dresses are no exception. “It is a natural characteristic of linen to show wrinkles, no matter the blend,” says Apter. “[The fabric’s] long strong fibers are not very elastic, so when they bend under heat and humidity with regular wear, they do not spring back into shape, but rather retain the creases.”
To get those wrinkles out, Apter suggests hanging up the dress immediately after wear, putting it briefly in the dryer on air dry or low heat. Alternatively, she also recommends steaming the creases, but be careful not to drop hot water on your dress!
Take Our Word For It
This article was written by Rachel Simon, a writer for Real Simple, Better Homes & Gardens, The New York Times, and many other publications. To find the best linen dresses, she researched dozens of options, taking into account factors such as size range, price, color options, and more. She also spoke to Inka Apter, Director of Material Sustainability & Integrity at Eileen Fisher, to get expert advice on what to look for when browsing linen dresses, in addition to care instructions to make sure your selected dress lasts.
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