Linen is a huge trends this summer. Actually, it seems like everywhere I look, I have seen people talking about linen for the last couple of years. In Western culture, I feel like linen does not get the respect it deserves - I want to change that.
Piggy-backing off our last discussion on sustainability (go check it out after this) linen is a sustainable fabric made of natural fibers. That makes it a really great fabric choice for people concerned about lowering their carbon foot print or their microplastics intake. Linen is also called "flax fabric" because it is made from spinning the stalks of flax plants together.
This magical, plant-fiber fabric is highly breathable, moisture wicking, does not retain heat, and does not pill. Because of all these amazing properties, linen has been used since as early as 36,000 years ago in pre-historic civilizations for clothing. There is even proof of linen being reserved in ancient Egypt and Mesopotamia for the ruling class. If it's good enough for Cleopatra (one of the most badass women who ever lived), then it's good enough for me! When you try and think of the perfect fabric for intense sun that is cooling, it's no wonder linen was the first fabric that came to their minds.
Until the last couple of years, linen has been a niche fabric in Western culture. Middle and Eastern cultures have been getting it right for centuries! Linen has gained a lot of traction here lately because of its eco-friendly properties, cooling properties, and excellent performance in humid environments. A fun fact for you - linen can hold 20% of its weight in moisture before even starting to feel wet.
For a long time, linen was replaced with cotton. Although an excellent fabric, an inferior fabric to linen in our opinion. We can discuss that in a different Poplar Diaries spill sesh.
Linen is one of the most durable natural fabrics and has a very specific look and feel. You can usually see the pattern in linen clothing making them a little more stylish. Linen is also a more flattering fabric than something like cotton because it is more rigid. It will hold you in, be thicker, and hide more while feeling cooler than cotton. One of the coolest parts of linen is that it can help you control your body temperature. The long fibers allow a lot of breathability. Whether it is hot or cold, your body can easily regulate its temperature. I think it is worth noting too that linen is a hypoallergenic fabric whereas something like cotton can trigger allergies in people. It won't shrink either when you accidentally dry it!
Because linen is such an incredible fabric that looks really classy, it is a little more pricey. When you spend on a linen fabric though, you know you are getting a long-lasting product. Since linen is so durable, it won't pill, it won't get worn spots, but it will be a serious staple in a capsule wardrobe since you can wear it in hot or cold environments.
In our next spill sesh, we are going to dive into all the ways we can style and wear linen. If you're interested in shopping a linen fabric, check out our Capsule Linen Midi Dress!
