There’s a collective of indigenous makers modernising Irish linen for audiences both at home and internationally. And it couldn’t have come at a better time. Summer is here and we are craving breathable pieces that are laid-back and look good. 

Linen is, perhaps, fashion’s most intuitive fabric – it cools the body when we’re too hot and warms us in cooler temperatures. (Tip: those who perennially feel the cold, particularly at night, should invest in linen sleepwear.) It has anti-bacterial properties, meaning it needs less washing, making it a greener choice.

As well as protecting Irish jobs and traditional techniques, there is another boon to shopping the material: linen is having a moment right now. Perhaps it’s the laidback look it exudes, the comfort you gain when slipping on a linen piece or the fact it imbues any outfit with something extra special but the wider fashion arena is taking note. Shop this glossy guide to the best Irish linen clothing brands below. 

Main image: Instagram @aoife_ireland. 

Who: Kindred of Ireland, the Northern Ireland made-to-order label popularising Irish linen for the Instagram generation.

Shop: Linen pieces in unexpected colourways: see the Camille – a strikingly romantic long length dress in candy pink with ruffles and bow-ties that can be styled three different ways. 

Get it: At KindredofIreland.com.

Who: Stable of Ireland, the ultra-cool lifestyle shop – founded by Sonia Reynolds and Francie Duff in 2015 – that celebrates the best of homegrown linen in natural colourways – from luxury bedsheets to napkins and linen-herringbone scarves.

Shop: Bring the Navy Swim Linen Hold All Tote, €75, on your next beach trip. 

Get it at: Stable of Ireland, 2 Westbury Mall, Balfe Street, Dublin 2 and StableofIreland.com.

Who: Aoife McNamara, the Limerick based fashion designer who focuses on fun, bucolic designs and sustainable ethos.

Shop: The brand’s just-released pinstriped linen shorts,€160, are perfect for throwing on during the warm weather. There is also a co-ordinating top, too.

Get it at: Aoife McNamara, Blackabbey, Adare, Co Limerick and AoifeMcNamara.com.

Who: Jennifer Slattery, the Smithfield designer who punctuates everything she does – from delicate embroidered napkins to ready-to-wear dresses and blouses – with a love of Irish linen.

Shop: The Rita pinafore dress in gingham, €290, woven in Wexford by Emblem Weavers, exudes laidback cool. 

Get it: At Article, Brown Thomas, Irish Design Shop, The Couch House and JenniferSlattery.com.

Who: The Tweed Project, the Galway-based atelier that celebrates Irish linen and tweed, contemporising them to suit a modern lifestyle.

Shop: The summer collection, which places Irish linen at its centre – we love the round collar striped shirt, €490, for its chic simplicity. Made on Inis Oirr, it’s laundered and tumble-dried to create a slouchy, relaxed finish.

Get it: At TheTweedProject.com.

Who: Linen Shirt Company, the Kilkenny-based fashion label that’s investing in future makers to keep the tradition of Irish linen alive, training the next generation of sewers and empowering them to work with the natural fibre for years to come.

Shop: The new Rose Shirt (pictured above), available exclusively at Curated by Design Centre, is exquisite. 

Get it: At LinenShirtCompany.ie and Curated by Design Centre at Kildare Village.