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.
Starting strong with these 100-percent linen pants from every fashion editor's favorite basics brand, Alex Mill.
Polka dots are the It print of summer 2025, so it's only right I invite this $55 midi skirt into my collection.
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 joins in on the Bermuda short trend, only with a very boho twist of eyelet trim. I'd style these with a simple white T-shirt and a funky pair of toe-ring sandals.
I envision this cute halter top with a free-flowing maxi, leather flip-flops, and a chilled Thai tea in hand.
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.
With a breezy button-down shirt and a smart strappy sandal, I can dress up these Madewell linen pants for dinner at the resort.
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.
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.
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'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.
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.
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.
Alternatively, some days I crave the uncomplicated look of black—enter: this low-back mini dress from Free People.
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.
Picture this lilac slip dress with a light summer sweater wrapped around my shoulders and neutral mesh flats on my feet.
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.
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.
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.
