What are the advantages of linen fabrics?

What is linen?

Linen is a fine and airy fabric and comes from the flax plant. Flax is a strong plant that has few natural enemies, such as insects or diseases. This means that little or no chemical pesticides are used in the cultivation of flax. In addition, some 85% of all flax is grown in Western Europe, which means that there are strict rules and controls on environmental impact, the working conditions are stringent and the quality of the linen is very high. This makes the whole process transparent and sustainable. 

A fun fact is that all parts of the flax plant can be used. The short fibers are made into rope, the long fibers are used for yarn and even the seeds (known as linseed), are used for soap, cosmetics and food.

The benefits

The longer a garment lasts, the more durable it is! Linen is the best. If you take good care of it, a linen garment can last up to 30 years. This is partly due to the structure of the linen fibres. The fabric is also naturally resistant to moths and washing makes it stronger and more supple. Linen also has a number of other advantages. For example, you can wear it all year round.

Because the fabric breathes, linen keeps you fresher in the summer and warmer in the winter. It also absorbs moisture and dries faster than cotton. As a result, it does not retain bacteria and the fabric is hypoallergenic and antibacterial. Linen is also said to be anti-static, improve sleep and relieve stress. So it’s a plus when you use linen for your nightwearor linen.Linen has a distinctive and unique texture with depth in its fibres. Combined with a minimalistic design, you get a garment that fits right into the slow fashionthought.

At Enschede Textielstad we make the most beautiful linen fabrics. Below you see a selection.