Expatriates in hot climates may already be partial to a particular linen outfit due to its ability to keep the wearer cool, but some entrepreneurial expats have taken their love of the fabric to the next level.

Rashida Coleman-Hale, a craftswoman, has set up a blog inspired by the material called I Heart Linen and has written a book explaining the art of patchworking the fabric.

She told the Telegraph that she first became fascinated with linen when she studied fashion at college.

"It’s a wonderful material to work with, strong and durable as well as elegant and lovely. I never run out of uses for it," she told the paper.

Linen has been in use for thousands of years, and some fragments discovered have dated back to 80,000 BC. It has strong heat-conducting properties which make it ideal for expatriates living in hot climates.

Staying cool in the sun is vital for expat health.

Linen is a very absorbent material and can soak up to three times its own weight in moisture, allowing its wearer to feel fresh and cool when the mercury rises.

It can absorb moisture at the elbow and knee, which helps prevent skin conditions such as eczema, which thrive in the heat.

Expatriates moving to hot climates could research medical insurance abroad to ensure they are covered for medical conditions.