u00a0“With the fine summer weather and warm evenings, linen is the obvious fabric to see you through the next few months. Light, elegant yet with a deliciously natural feel to it, linen lends itself well to light weight summer dressing,” reasons Mumbai-based designer Archana Kochhar, who recently launched a collection called Barcode that comprises linen shirts and kurtas.u00a0It’s a given. From that little black dress to a formal business suit, from summer shorts to a casual shirt, linen can be adopted in any style, shape or design. The versatility and lightness of the fabric makes it one of the most sought-after fabrics for hot and humid months.u00a0Echoing Archana’s views is internationally acclaimed designer Hemant Sagar, who creates clothes under his brand Lecoanet Hemant along with his French partner Didier Lecoanet. “Linen is a perfect material for summers because of its unique stiffness, not loved by all. If cut properly, the natural stiffness keeps the garment a bit away from the body, and leaves an airy, lofty feeling, making it perfect for a warm day,” he says.

A model showcasing linen wear from designer Anita Dongre’s men’s collection