These are the linen suits you’ll be wearing all summer long
Unstructured but made with a tailored silhouette, Luca Faloni’s hot-weather staples move easily between smart and casual
Words: Josh Lee
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When it comes to the warmer seasons – and despite what the recent grey-and-windy hiccup might suggest, we’re finally on the home stretch towards a few months of sun – slipping into some tailoring might well be the last thing you’d feel like doing. But clear weather and a flash of heat doesn’t mean that the daily commute, countryside weddings and formal occasions suddenly cease because of the uncomfortable climes; it’s more the case that you have to adjust your wardrobe to what the temperature dictates.
In the formalwear department, once you find the right materials and construction, dressing up can become something that’s far from a daunting task, and relying on linen – that airy, summertime fabric – is a no-brainer here. Of late, we’ve been particularly drawn towards a two-piece item by Luca Faloni, the doyen of timeless Italian menswear. Though venerated for its autumnal knits and winter layers, all cashmere and great denim, the label also plays a considered hand when it comes to producing some truly great spring/summer options.
Here, its lightweight suit has been constructed in north Italy from a pure linen whose raw fibres have been produced with a ‘Relax Formula’ that allows for a generous stretch and ease of movement; a smooth touch; and superb breathability. Moreover, as this effect has eschewed synthetic treatments, the resulting garments are more resistant to creases than their counterparts on the market, and, as a result, retain their sleek silhouette.
When it comes to the individual pieces, up top is a single-breasted jacket with a two-button closure (both features allow for a fuss-free appearance), and it’s been produced in a slim – but still comfortable – cut, and is also unstructured and half-lined for a more relaxed, featherweight feel. Moreover, AMF stitching – otherwise known as pick stitching, a hallmark of fine tailoring that keeps edges clean and flat – patch pockets and notch lapels add subtle, timeless accents to the overall look.
Below, the trousers are defined by the pronounced pleats on the front, which not only add a discreet point of interest but also underline the leg’s slim-straight fit. An internal waistband helps keep shirts tucked neatly in, meanwhile side adjusters allow for a true fit on the wearer. Finishing it all off are hidden hooks (with zip) that ensure that everything is firmly secured.
Available in an array of muted yet spirited hues – navy blue, hazelnut brown, olive green, azure and sand – the suit can be dressed up with a relaxed-fit linen shirt or a clean Oxford button-down for special occasions (be it a July soirée in Tuscany or a wedding ceremony in the Hampshire countryside) or given a more casual slant when worn over a cotton T-shirt and paired with some pared-down sneakers. But whichever setting you’ll take this seasonal essential into, it will – as with Luca Faloni’s myriad other wardrobe staples – make dressing a breeze.
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