
Linen Fabric, for an Evergreen and High-Fashion Garment
There are some types of fabrics that, one way or another, are always in fashion. Linen fabric is one of them.
Yes, because linen is a fabric with unique characteristics and particularly aesthetic. Linen experiences one of its most interesting moments precisely when the days start to get longer and warmer and brighter.
Linen garments are ideal for spring/summer and perfectly complement other seasonal wardrobe pieces. There are many reasons why linen fabric garments are both evergreen and high-fashion: linen fabric is a sustainable choice for the planet and helps combat the excesses of fast fashion, allowing for a longer life for wardrobe pieces: linen is the perfect fiber to invest in as it remains beautiful over the years.
Let’s explore together the characteristics to recognize a good linen fabric and how to pair linen garments in the upcoming season.
Main Characteristics of Linen Fabric
Despite often changing in cuts, colors, or shapes, linen fabric is always very popular. It can also dress more classic cuts like jackets and trousers, but linen accessories, shirts, and dresses with soft shapes are not lacking.
Linen clothing never ceases to amaze, particularly due to certain characteristics:
- Linen clothes are comfortable: they stay cool on the skin, making them very useful during the hotter months. Linen fabric is particularly breathable and can absorb moisture, which makes the cool feel on the skin one of the most appreciated features of linen garments;
- Garments made with linen fabric are always versatile, adapting to different styles and colors, to take on ever-changing styles;
- Linen is a particularly durable fiber; it adapts to different cuts and styles, making it a sustainable choice for both your wallet and the planet;
- Linen is not particularly thick and is easy to carry in a suitcase. Additionally, linen clothes are lightweight and can be hand-washed and dry quickly;
- Linen is not just any fabric; it has the potential to become one of the most sustainable natural fibers. The most precious linen fabric is handmade by artisans and has a lower environmental impact. Handmade linen fabric has a more pronounced thickness and a unique texture, making it stand out from mass-produced garments for its uniqueness.
- Within the high-fashion industry, linen is comparable to other fabrics like cashmere and silk, ideal for scarves and for pairing with other fabrics like cotton, which enhances the elasticity of linen. Additionally, being a hypoallergenic fabric, it is perfect for those with sensitive skin.
Where Does Linen Fabric Come From
Linen is a fiber that is divided into linen for the textile sector and linen for the food sector. To obtain linen that is usable for the fashion industry, it is necessary to harvest before the plant is fully mature. Linen fabric is made from the cellulose fibers found inside the stems of flax plants.
The flax plant survives only one season and is harvested about a hundred days after sowing. It requires little irrigation and the climate should not be extremely hot or dry. Once the plants are pulled from the ground, they are cleaned and left to ret for clean fibers about 20 cm long, which are then spun to make the fabric.
Linen fabric dates back to ancient Egypt as it was particularly suited to the hot Egyptian climate. After reaching the Romans, linen quickly spread to all areas of the globe, but it was in Ireland that the first systematic production of linen began, later spreading to Belgium, France, and Italy. Today, linen produced in Italy is highly sought after by fashion houses and considered high-end for its breathability, comfort, and beauty. It manages to stay fashionable without compromising.
Why Choose Linen Fabric Garments this Spring
Linen is not just any fabric; it indeed has the potential to become one of the most sustainable and cutting-edge natural fibers. The most refined linen is certainly the one handcrafted by artisans, producing a lower environmental impact. Handcrafted linen fabric has a more noticeable thickness and a distinct, less uniform texture than machine-produced fabric, yet handcrafted linen is more customizable and stands out from identical garments for its product uniqueness.
In the high fashion sector, linen is comparable to fabrics like cashmere and silk, ideal for scarves and for being paired with other fabrics, particularly cotton, which improves the elasticity of linen. Being also a hypoallergenic fabric that repels microorganisms, linen is also suitable for making quality linens.