Colours for a linen suit

[SM67]

All
I am about to commission a SB linen suit and am agonising over colours. I like the idea of white/cream (W.Bill 60149) but am concerned about amount of use I could get out of it and the issues of pale fabrics staining and being see through in harsh sunlight. The other option I'm considering is a mid blue (W. Bill 60142). Your advice, comments or alternatives are very welcome.
Many thanks
Simon.

[uppercase]

Simon, I think that you've answered your own question.

Linen is no longer just a Summer cloth, unless you choose Summer colors.

So blues and browns are definitely going to extend the period of wear and usefullness of your linen suit.

[sartorius]

Simon - I have a linen SB in W Bill navy blue (the W Bill is a great choice by the way). The dark colour has two great advantages - it is versatile (wearable for work as well as play) and the creases are much less prominent.

As a general rule, the lighter the colour the more the creases will stand out. I have noticed that white linen is everywhere at the moment - it will clearly be the colour to wear this summer - but to my mind it is just not at all practical. I would be very careful if you're going to be spending big on bespoke - you don't want something you'll have to dry clean after every wear. Aside from the cost and hassle, dry cleaning will take its toll after a while.

[manton]

Off white is definitely the classic color and the first one I would go for. After that, there are some lovely mustardy yellow-tans and light browns. Then the olives. All of those would appeal to me more than blues and grays, at least until I had a few. The blues and grays would make a nice DB spring suit, however; I would leave the lighter shades for the heat of summer (SB for additional coolness). I think, too, that if I wanted elephant gray, I would get that in Dupioni before linen.

[SM67]

Gentlemen, thank you for your wise words. I live in a very hot country (Saudi) and can get a lot of use out of a more casual suit at receptions and informal parties. I am also thinking about a suit as an alternative to a club blazer for regattas back home in the summer. I have to say I'm leaning towards the paler colours.
Again, thank you for your advice.

[smoothjazzone]

W. Bill has a beautiful butter cream color

Also, one of the best colors for a linen suit is a pale light blue

[Sammyo77]

Mine is from Cordings in Petrol Blue. Outstanding.

[geebee]

Since you want to use this for informal parties and receptions, I would have to agree on the pale blue. Navy would be a too safe and obvious choice.

GB

[SM67]

I finally ordered a 2 button SB suit in a W. Bill pale cream / off white linen. All being well I should have a first fitting in mid May.
Thanks for all the very helpful advice.