Linen, derived from the flax plant, is synonymous with breezy, effortless summer style. Known for its exceptional cooling properties, this fabric has been prized for millennia in hot climates.
In this linen fabric guide we discuss what it is, why you’ll want to wear it, the downsides of linen and how to wear this stylish fabric.
Let’s dive in.
Linen fabric is lightweight, yet strong and breathable in nature, while providing a stylish texture. Oftentimes you will find linen and cotton blends, combining the benefits of both of these popular fabrics.
What is Linen Fabric?
Linen is made from fibers of the flax plant, linen is perhaps the quintessential summer fabric. It’s widely known to be a lightweight, breathable textile ideal for purposes like home furnishing to clothing. A myriad of products from towels to table cloths and bed sheets to button up shirts are often made with linen material.
Why Wear Linen?
When it comes to clothing fabrics to wear in the summertime, there are a myriad of reasons linen is perhaps the most popular.
» Related: You might like this detailed review of my Alan David Custom Linen Suit.
1. Durability
For one, it’s a remarkably durable fabric. In fact linen is known to be the strongest natural fiber in the world. This makes linen fabric able to withstand regular wear and tear without ripping or losing its shape after washing.
In fact, linen is such a durable fabric that the ancient Egyptians used to wrap mummies with layers of linen during the mummification process. Talk about longevity.
And since linen fibers are thicker and stronger than cotton, they’re often used in blends to help strengthen cotton garments. It’s natural durability is not just evident in clothing, but US dollar bills consist of 25% linen.
2. Breathability
When it’s hot and humid out, wearing breathable fabrics can be a lifesaver. Thankfully linen is highly breathable and allows for more airflow since the fabric does not stick to your skin. This provides a cooling effect, especially when air blows through the light fabric allowing for better breathability.
Additionally linen is a highly absorbent which helps to remove perspiration from the skin and keeping your garments and body cool. In fact, due to its molecular structure, linen fabric can absorb up to 1/5 of its weight before feeling damp or wet. The positive being that it takes long for linen cloth to feel wet, and it quickly evaporates and dries, much faster than cotton.
3. Comfort Year Round
Most people (myself included) only think of linen as a summertime fabric, and while it definitely is, it can also help to keep you comfortable in cooler weather. Since linen’s weave allows for more airflow and has moisture wicking properties, it surely makes for a cooler sleep.
And so, using linen bed sheets underneath a thick and warm comforter could be an ideal solution if you tend to run hot and overheat under your heavy winter covers.
Applying this to your clothing, you could thus wear linen as a base layer to help to keep you cool and comfortable not only in the heat, but also when the weather drops.
4. Sustainability
A forth favorable property of linen fabric is that it’s one of the more eco-friendly fibers. Made from the flax plant, linen can grow in lower quality soil, requiring less water than with cotton production.
When untreated (non-dyed) Linen is 100% biodegradable and so you can feel good knowing that when your linen garments are ultimately trashed that they will not be adding to the waste.
5. Antibacterial Properties
Linen is a flax fabric which distinguishes it from other natural fibers. Silica, which is found in flax material prevents bacteria growth which acts as a natural anti-virus, antimicrobial and antifungal agent.
Plus, linen is a moisture wicking machine and will dry out much faster than cotton, thus leaving less room for sweating and stinkiness.
6. Cool Style
Finally, linen fabric has a distinguished look to it that’s more visually appealing than plain cotton. Personally, I prefer the coarse texture and thick weave of a linen suit.
I have a pair of linen shorts that are my favorite pair to wear in the summertime because it not only keeps me cool, but looks stylish. There’s just something charming about a well worn linen garment.
Downsides of Wearing Linen
While there are many advantages of wearing linen, of course there are a few downsides to wearing this popular warm weather fabric.
1. Linen Wrinkles
The first flaw of linen is that it wrinkles, a lot, especially 100% linen. This could make for an unkempt appearance. Be aware that when you wear an all linen suit or button up shirt that it will wrinkle in the back and where the arms bend. It’s an inevitable trait of linen that I feel can also be its charm.
2. It’s Cold Inside
Secondly, though linen textiles are ideal for keeping cool in warm weather, it is not an insulating fabric and so linen will not retain heat at all which could be a downside if you were to enter a building with tundra blasting AC. Having a lightweight jacket on hand would be an ideal solution.
3. Not Dryer Friendly
Finally, linen is a highly textured fabric and can lose its charm by washing it with certain chemicals and detergents, and so you’ll want to be aware of that. And you’ll definitely want to avoid a hot dry cycle. It’s a good idea to allow for linen clothing to air dry or tumble dry low at least.
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How to Wear Linen Clothing
Here’s some style inspiration on how you can wear linen clothing year round.
Wrapping Up
Despite its tendency to wrinkle, linen remains a top choice for summer clothing. Its unmatched breathability, moisture-wicking abilities, and elegant appearance make it worth the extra care, ensuring you stay cool and stylish all season long.
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