Summer may be in full swing, but it’s never too late to rethink your warm-weather wardrobe—and that’s where lightweight linen staples come in. Not only will the best linen pieces carry you through both formal and casual occasions, but they also tend to be light (a given, considering the fabric), machine-washable (for easy care and maintenance), and, of course, versatile enough to wear multiple times throughout a trip.

Wherever your summer travels may take you, pack wisely by bringing along some tried-and-true linen basics from trusted brands like Madewell, Anthropologie, Everlane, and Left on Friday. Keep reading for a few of our favorite light-as-air pieces of linen clothing for women, from dresses and tops to skirts and jackets.

The linen jacket

Do yourself a favor this season by ditching your favorite overworn sweatshirt (you know the one) or bulky jean jacket in favor of something more lightweight, such as one of these linen jackets. Linen blazers offer a more preppy look, making them a must-have for business travel—especially in the scorching-hot summer heat. For a less formal ’fit, look no further than our favorite button-front linen jacket from Michael Stars, which hits right below the waist and comes in a handful of hues like hot pink and bright green for a fun pop of color.

The linen pant

Nothing screams summer like a pair of breezy linen pants. Wide-leg linen bottoms can easily take you from the beach to the bar—especially if you swap the flip-flops for a pair of heels, wedges, or sandals. (Bonus points if you choose to zhuzh up the outfit with accessories like chunky jewels or a cute clutch.) For an even more laid-back look, consider a pair of elastic waist joggers—which are just as comfy as a pair of sweats though they’re much cooler and appear much more polished and put together—made with, you guessed it, 100 percent linen.

The linen shorts and skirts

The below selection of linen shorts and skirts—which are available across a range of price points, from under $80 to $300—are best described as stylish, airy, and comfy. For a more tailored look, snag a straight-silhouetted mini skirt or a pair of long-ish shorts (the one below from Anthropologie, which boasts a built-in belt, checks all the boxes). Or, for a hint of edginess, opt for a mid-length skirt with a slit paired with a solid or patterned crop top or oversized button-down (if it’s also linen, all the better).

The linen top

A quintessential summer staple, the best linen tops will keep you cool all season long. Our top picks include everything from a button-embellished camisole that can be easily layered with a denim jacket to a nautical striped tee (best styled with leggings, jeans, or bike shorts for a day of sightseeing or lounging in the airport), to a pretty pleated shirt dress that can pull double-duty as a cover-up or chic mini dress for a fun night out.

The linen dress

Whether you’re headed to the beach, the pool bar, or the airport lounge, a great linen dress is breezy and versatile. You’ll find them in all different lengths (from maxi to midi to mini), silhouettes (think: oversized, A-line, fitted), and colors (options range from cheery yellows and baby pinks to basic black). Some frocks also have fun features like tiers, ruffles, and cut-outs. Ahead, a few of our favorite linen dresses from brands like Reformation, Tommy Bahama, and Banana Republic.

The linen button-down

When it comes to the most-worn linen clothing for women, button-downs are at the top of the list. They are great for layering over your favorite tops and dresses or simply wearing solo with a pair of matching pants, shorts, or skirts (that is, depending on the look you’re going for). This timeless summer wardrobe staple has a distinctively relaxed and laid-back style about them—and what’s especially great is that they truly go with anything. Whether you prefer them solid or striped, slim-fit or classic, we’ve rounded up our top picks below.

The linen accessories

Thanks to its durability and weightless feel, it’s no surprise that linen makes an excellent fabric for wearable accessories like baseball caps, tote bags, and cozy scarves. Look for linen blends, like the Olev scarf’s fabric, if you’re worried about wrinkling—they tend to be less prone it, so you need not worry about your accessories getting crumbled, smushed, or ruined should you choose to pack them inside your suitcase or weekender bag.

Shop our edit of the best men’s linen basics for travelers.

When it arrived in Málaga, Spain, 17 years ago, Finca Cortesin set a new standard for Andalusian hotels with its sumptuous design and vast swimming pools. Now, with Grand Hotel Son Net, the brand has done the same for Mallorca. Designer Lorenzo Castillo oversaw the transformation of the storied palacio that has seen aristocrats, royals, and Lauren Bacall walk its cobblestoned patio. The richly patterned upholstery, 18th-century tapestries, majolica-inspired wallpaper, and shimmering antique mirrors may compel guests to accessorize to match the decor. Here, a few smart choices:

Book your stay at Grand Hotel Son Net:

Grand Hotel Son Net

This article appeared in the July/August 2023 issue of Condé Nast Traveler. Subscribe to the magazine here.

I am a chronic overpacker. My desire to lug a bevy of clashing, not particularly versatile pieces on trip after trip is not a weakness that I expect I’ll move past any time soon. There’s both comfort and pleasure to be taken from having options, in knowing that I won’t have to sweat 30,000-step days in the same Oxford that I need for a nice dinner reservation that evening. A recent trip that took me from Vienna to Munich to Berlin was no exception, and the capacious Peugeot Voyages trunk that I was charged with testing while away ensured that little editing would occur in my packing process.

Below, find the pieces that I was especially glad to have brought on this Germanic tour. The climate varied wildly over this 10-day stretch of late April, by the way, cold and rainy in Vienna and Munich but pushing 80 degrees in Berlin (I actually got a sunburn!), so expect umbrellas and sweaters as well as t-shirts and shorts.

Where I stayed: 

Le Méridien Vienna

Le Méridien Vienna feels palatial because, surprise, it is! This design hotel comprises four former palaces just off the Ringstraße in Vienna’s city center, and accordingly feels vast in scale. These storied, beautiful bones serve as a sophisticated canvas for some mod design, especially in the lobby and the onsite Restaurant You. This place has the dim, sexy lighting of a hotel cocktail bar, plush velvet chairs of a deep green (with even deeper seats), and a killer schnitzel to tide over picky eaters should your reservations be a little more adventurous. The gym facilities are also incredible, with a huge subterranean pool and a sauna perfect for a post-flight schvitz.

Courtesy Platzl Hotel

Platzl Hotel

Location, location, location. This old-school Munich hotel sits on a narrow, cobblestone street in the city’s center. Platzl feels like a ‘70s fairytale—its arched entryway, dripping with ivy, gives way to a lobby clad with dark wood and dotted with ample low seating. The rooms are also warm and comfortable, with built-in closets and cabinetry. Highlights also include the culinary offerings—Michelin Guide Pfistermuhle and the more casual Wirtshaus Ayinger am Platzl deliver elevated and classic takes on Bavarian dining, respectively, and the breakfast buffet is killer. Don’t forget to take out a bike from the hotel’s bank—this is a prime base from which to explore the city.

Courtesy Hotel am Steinplatz

Hotel am Steinplatz

While our hotels in Vienna and Munich were located right in the heart of things, Berlin’s Hotel am Steinplatz drew us to the slightly-out-of-the-way, wonderfully beautiful Charlottenburg. The moneyed neighborhood sits on the far West side of the Tiergarten—it’s where Lydia Tár keeps a bolthole for writing, among other things—but Berlin’s pristine public transit makes it easy enough to maneuver into the touristier areas via the U2, S3, S7, or S9. Staying here not only ensured that we walked the Tiergarten each of our three beautiful Berlin days on our way to and from the museums, but also that we saw a more lived-in and peaceful side of the city. The facilities themselves don’t hurt—think modern Art Deco, black and white with pops of red, utter delight.