Baggy linen clothes are unflattering and will crumple almost instantly. Keep your look sharp by choosing a slim or tapered fit - a slim-fit linen suit will never go out of style, and slim fits work well for casual options too, like the short-sleeved linen shirt below. Tapered fit linen shorts or trousers also rack up instant style points.

Vivid colours don't work well with linen's relaxed character. While neutrals like stone, cream and ecru are absolute classics - particularly for a linen suit - soft blues, faded greens and pale yellows are also great choices for a linen look. Look out for overdyed or pigment-dyed styles, which create a variegated fabric effect and added interest around the seams.

Yes, you can put your linen in the washing machine. But it should be washed in cold water on the delicate or short cycle - or hand-washed (also cold). Always use a mild detergent formulated for delicate fabrics, and never wash pale and coloured linen pieces together - new linen dyes are prone to colour bleeding when first washed.

Throwing your linen in the tumble dryer until it's bone dry is a recipe for disaster - you can tumble dry it for five minutes maximum. Linen should always be air dried - either laid flat on a drying rack or hung on a padded hanger. If it's really wet, carefully roll each piece in a towel to remove moisture - never wring linen. Before the item is completely dry, it's time to move to the next care step - ironing. Ironing while there is still a little moisture in the fabric makes it easier to remove those dreaded creases.

Linen should be ironed while damp, so if the item you're about to iron is dry, make sure you spritz it with water or a dedicated linen spray before you begin. Use the medium to high heat setting and iron only until the wrinkles are removed - leave a little bit of moisture in the fabric (which will quickly evaporate). If your linen item is dark coloured, iron it on the reverse to avoid shiny patches. Finally, keep wrinkles to a minimum by using spray starch when you iron, for a crisper look.

Linen clothes should be stored in a cool, dry place - never bundle them into a plastic bag, a cardboard box or even a cedar chest. Hang your linen suit up in your wardrobe to minimise the amount of time you have to spend refreshing it before the next wear. When summer rolls around and your linen pieces are coming out of storage, simply hang them up to air the day before you want to wear them again. Then follow the washing, drying and ironing tips above and you're all set for a stylish summer.