The verdict on Lidl's new linen collection? The £6.99 men's shirts are winners

Linen shirts are a timeless summer menswear staple that return year after year as a suave summer dressing solution.

Like so many aspects of men’s clothing however, getting the look right is all about finessing the details, and cut. The colour and fabric quality tend to be pretty key, too.

How, we wondered, could the men’s shirts in Lidl’s new linen range, at just £6.99, possibly match up to their significantly pricier counterparts?

We were suspicious.

So suspicious, in fact, that we called a sample into the office for a touch test.

And honestly, the general consensus was that Lidl’s linen was a total bargain.

Constructed in an ultra-wearable palette of grey, navy, khaki and white, the short-sleeved styles (£6.99) are ideal for beach days and barbecues, while the long-sleeved shirts (which cost £7.99 and come in both classic and mandarin collar iterations) would be perfect paired with jeans or chinos for that louche, I-summer-in-the-Riviera sartorial vibe.

Admittedly, they’re not 100% linen (they’re 55% linen and 45% cotton), but we – and most of the men in the office whose counsel we sought – were pretty impressed with the general look and feel.

The material is definitely a little thinner than some pricier versions and the fabric is not as soft to the touch. But the general consensus was that after a wash the initial stiffness would go. And, frankly, when the price of a linen shirt is just shy of that of a double gin and tonic, we really have very few complaints.

The men’s collection also includes a fairly suave-looking linen blazer (£19.99) which comes in beige, grey and navy, as well as women’s dresses (£7.99), linen trousers (£7.99) and linen blend skirts (£5.99) that wouldn’t win any serious style contests, but look perfectly elegant.

Scroll through the entire Lidl linen collection here:

The Lidl linen collection is available to buy in stores now.