Written by Menswear Style in Essentials on the 9th April 2014

This time of year we dress in layers through the unpredictable weather in the hope that the sun will shine all day, so with the evenings now getting longer and the promise of weather warming up, it is time to think about smart summer style. 

Traditionally linen has been used in men’s clothing for the more classic gentleman among us, however this summer linen is everywhere in all its forms and colours and has never looked better. 

When we think of a cool linen suit it conjures up images of colonial times, synonymous with movie stars in the sunshine and men who seems to glide effortlessly through their day without breaking a sweat. 

So with the modern guy in mind I’ve pulled together a few linen ideas from the Corsivo collection to get you on the right path this summer.

Linen suits are traditionally stone colour, so this Lyon Linen Suit is a refined move forward in terms of colour and fit. 

The cool grey colour is incredibly easy to wear and suits most skin tones. The trousers are tapered slightly towards the hem, and the shoulder has an easy soft shape so it is smart without being too formal. 

Worn with a formal or casual shirt it looks sublime either way, or try it with a tee or a polo shirt for a more casual twist. 

The jacket can also be worn as a blazer for a more casual look and the trousers look superb without the jacket too.

Quintessential for the summer months in the office and also great for a wedding or garden party, the simple clean stripes of this Italian cotton/linen fabric shirt provides a subtle texture to your summer wardrobe. 

Linen shirts are ideal for warmer days as the fabric absorbs moisture thus keeping you cool. 

This shirt uses a blend of cotton and linen so the fabric has the sharp clean qualities of cotton combined with the benefits and style of linen.

The soft shoulder construction of this Giona Blue Linen Blazer combined with the chunky weave linen fabric; make this jacket the easiest to wear and the most stylish jacket for summer. 

The fresh blue colour goes with everything from your old chinos and jeans to a smart tailored pair of shorts. 

I really like the fit on this blazer as it’s slim enough without being restrictive, and the great thing about the fabric is it smoothly moulds to your shape when worn, so becomes more comfortable and stylish over time.

An easy way to add linen to your outfit is with a tie or a pocket square. 

This paisley pocket square is fantastic as it simply sits in your pocket transforming you into effortlessly cool chic. 

This is an easy update to your current blazer or summer occasion suit without buying a whole new outfit. 

Keep it unfussy and casual by just putting it in your pocket and not arranging it too much.

This Elvo cotton linen herringbone tie is also a tasteful wardrobe staple for summer in timeless pale pink which works with almost any shirt. 

Corsivo launched earlier this year and is going from strength to strength, so invest in a piece from the first season and be proud to be a part of something special.

Buyer Briefing with Neal Cobb, the menswear buyer at House of Fraser. He picks out his top autumn/winter 2014 essentials for men.