In two short weeks, I’m ticking off my number one bucket list item and traveling to Chiang Mai, Thailand. But going to the opposite end of the world has also brought up a few anxieties. How will I fare being 8,000-plus miles away from my friends and family? Will I meet my tragic demise, White Lotus season 3 style? Most important to me is the ultimate fashion editor stress test: What will I wear to survive 90-degree heat and 80 percent humidity? My plan for the latter is to pack an arsenal of breathable linen pieces that will, hopefully, keep me as cool as possible under the Thai sun.
I’ve just spent the last two months researching the top summer 2025 trends, so I know which silhouettes to look out for—like longline Bermuda shorts and crushed linen dresses (you can thank the Olsen twins at The Row for making pre-wrinkled items popular).
Fortunately, my fellow Marie Claire editors have also done their due diligence on the flax-woven fabric this season. Ahead of a beach vacation to St. Lucia, fashion editor Lauren Tappan found linen sets that take the guesswork out of her beach outfits. Fashion e-commerce editor Julia Marzovilla discovered the best linen pants through wear-testing in a scorching New York City summer (spoiler alert: Alex Mill’s linen Riley pants emerged triumphant, while associate commerce editor Brooke Knappenberger found elegant linen summer dresses secretly hiding in J.Crew’s sale section.
Featuring my colleagues’ expertise mixed with my own, below are the on-trend, weather-proof linen essentials I’m bringing on my tropical climate vacation.
Alex Mill
Riley Pant In Linen
Starting strong with these 100-percent linen pants from every fashion editor’s favorite basics brand, Alex Mill.
Gap
Linen-Blend Midi Skirt
Polka dots are the It print of summer 2025, so it’s only right I invite this $55 midi skirt into my collection.
Leset
Stella Wide Leg Pant
Fashion editors adore the ready-to-wear label Leset because it’s mastered the comfy-cute balance. I’m eyeing the brand’s sequin linen trousers for my 18-hour travel day since they offer the best of both worlds: an elastic waist and a stylish look that’s nowhere as embarrassing as my threadbare sweatpants.
J.Crew
Soleil Eyelet-Trim Short
Zara
100% Linen Halter Vest Top Zw Collection
I envision this cute halter top with a free-flowing maxi, leather flip-flops, and a chilled Thai tea in hand.
Mango
Bow Linen-Blend Dress
This bow-waist Mango dress made my list because of its linen fabrications, yes, but also because its vibrant mango color reminds me of the fresh fruit I’m about to eat.
Madewell
The Easy Pull-On Pant in 100% Linen
Farm Rio
Lace Nature Scallop-Trimmed Crop Blouse
Farm Rio is always my first stop when shopping for resortwear. Case in point: this cropped, scallop-edge blouse in a very on-theme tropical fauna print.
Polo Ralph Lauren
Classic Fit Striped Linen Shirt
I already own Oxford shirting from Polo Ralph Lauren, so, naturally, I’m turning to the heritage American brand for a breezy linen button-down.
Reformation
Delilah Linen Halterneck Maxi Dress
One polka-dot piece isn’t enough—Reformation’s retro-inspired black and white halter dress is rising high on my to-shop list.
J.Crew
Harbor Pant in Linen
J.Crew’s Harbor pants in linen are a retailer-favorite for a reason (300 rave reviews and counting). The front pleat offers polish, while the elastic-waist back makes them as comfortable as pajamas.
Maeve
The Colette Linen Blend Shorts
I have not moved on from the butter yellow color trend—at this point, I consider the sunny shade a neutral that’s one saturated step above cream. Maeve’s high-wasited linen shorts belong in my suitcase.
Staud
Laura Linen Maxi Dress
That said, it’s hard for me to choose just one of the summer 2025 color trends to focus on. Luckily, Staud’s spaghetti strap dress in rainbow-striped linen makes it so I don’t have to choose.
Free People
Full of Sunshine Cotton-Linen Mini
Alternatively, some days I crave the uncomplicated look of black—enter: this low-back mini dress from Free People.
Caslon
Drawstring Straight Leg Linen Pants
Here’s another top for the all-time best linen pants. Also offered in stark white, Caslon’s pull-on pants have a straight-leg silhouette and elastic waist to rival your favorite loungewear.
Favorite Daughter
Josette Flowy Linen Slipdress
Picture this lilac slip dress with a light summer sweater wrapped around my shoulders and neutral mesh flats on my feet.
ALIGNE
Hadley Linen Mini Skirt
Aligne is another secret source where fashion editors buy their elevated basics from. I like the brand namely for its modern and feminine basics, like this linen mini skirt that I’ll wear with my new pair of ballet sneakers.
Madewell
100% Linen Scoopneck Cutaway Vest
Summer suiting has quickly become my easy answer to looking put-together when I feel anything but. I can totally see myself buttoning into this Madewell vest and matching linen shorts when it’s too hot to think of anything else.
ME+EM
2-In-1 Linen-Blend Maxi Dress
This two-in-one dress from It-girl-beloved brand Me + Em epitomizes the concept of shopping smarter, not harder. It comes with a zip-up short-sleeved top for optional coverage.