Shouldn’t years of enduring the sweltering heat of hot asphalt, towering concrete skyscrapers, and my Alabama roots have made me immune to the heat? Not quite, but they have driven me to invest in a good primer for oily skin and become more strategic about staying cool and looking polished under the heat. I’ve always felt stylish and put-together in co-ord sets—like Chanel suits and retro tracksuits—but since fabrics like tweed and velour aren’t very breathable, I’m now opting for lightweight linen materials that feel like wearable air conditioning.

Recently, Katie Holmes and Dakota Fanning were seen wearing matching linen sets, while Sienna Miller and Emma Watson showed that suits can be worn comfortably in 80-degree weather, thanks to breathable fabrics. Beyond the celebrity endorsements and sweat-wicking properties, what I love most about linen sets is their clever versatility—hear me out.

You can create the illusion of a larger wardrobe by mixing and matching separates. By pairing items like linen pants with crop tops or long-sleeve tops with midi skirts, you can make the most of your existing clothes. I’m focusing on adding breathable linen pieces to my collection to stay cool and make the most of my warm-weather wardrobe.