When the mercury climbs past thirty, wool trousers become the enemy, and one piece emerges as summer's saviour: white linen trousers. Stylists this summer are calling them "the uniform for surviving the heat with elegance" - and it's hard to argue.

The logic behind linen is simple. It's the lightest fabric with the best breathability when temperatures rise. The wide, fluid cut and bright white sit beautifully on tanned skin, and the Mediterranean aesthetic - that relaxed, sun-kissed elegance - is one of the strongest fashion currents this season. One piece, and it works for the beach, the office and dinner.

That versatility is exactly where the charm lies. The same white trousers can go in the morning with a linen waistcoat, flat sandals and a woven basket for a relaxed, beachside summer look. In the afternoon they turn into a boho combination with a flowing paisley blouse and a leather bag. And for a workday, an oversized striped shirt, leather sandals and a few discreet accessories are enough to make the look serious without being dull.

Metla will always add the other half too: the fashion industry wants you to believe you need a new piece for every occasion. The truth is the opposite - and the opposite is more expensive for the industry, smarter for you. One good pair of linen trousers, styled three different ways, does more than three separate purchases. The trend is real, but it doesn't have to cost what they want to convince you it does.