For as long as we can remember, our summer wardrobes have been synonymous with crisp cotton dresses — plus cotton trousers, cotton T-shirts, cotton shirts, we could go on… But this year, there’s something different about the perennial summer staple dress — it’s textured, and coloured, and looks a bit more relaxed. Why, you ask? Because it’s made from linen.

You see, linen is the new textile in town that’s taking over. (If you don’t believe us, have a quick scan of Instagram to look at chic interiors like sofas and soft furnishings, and all the chic tables dressed for dinner parties. You’ll find, yes you guessed it, linen.

The linen dress is a failsafe choice for myriad reasons. The natural fibre keeps you cool in the heat, so a linen number is the perfect choice for days when the barometer soars. Linen also looks kind of great when it’s a bit creased, meaning it’s far less maintenance than its cotton counterpart and gives off serious woke-up-this-chic vibes.

The texture also means that linen looks great in colours that would in cotton seem a bit twee — pastel colours particularly. Linen dresses are super versatile so can be styled appropriately for multiple occasions — for the office, pair with a simple strappy heel or backless loafer, while for the beach add a flat leather sandal. More casual choices can also be worn with trainers for lazy Sundays in the park.

Best of all, linen comes from the flax plant, meaning it’s naturally environmentally friendly and grown without need for pesticides or fertilisers like lots of un-organic cotton is. Simple, chic and sustainable, what’s not to love?

No matter your itinerary, there’s a heatwave-worthy linen dress for everyone this summer. Keep scrolling to see our pick of the best.

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