When choosing linen clothing, some customers may encounter a surprise - especially in light shades, the fabric can be slightly translucent. You may wonder if this is a material defect or low quality of the fabric. But the truth is that translucency is a natural property of linen , which is related to its unique structure and natural origin.
Linen is known for its lightness, airiness and breathability, which are qualities that make it so popular – especially in the warmer months. However, this airiness means that in lighter colours the fabric can appear more transparent than, for example, cotton or synthetic materials.
In this article, we will explain why this happens, how translucency is affected by the color or weight of the fabric, and how you can easily help yourself when wearing linen clothing.
- Table of translucency of linen fabrics
- Why is linen translucent?
- Translucency of light linen
- How to reduce the translucency of linen?
- 🎯 Customer recommendations
Table of translucency of linen fabrics
| Color | Translucence | Note |
|---|---|---|
| White | ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ | Absorbs the least light, is the most translucent. Recommended body underwear or petticoat. |
| Light pastel colors (light pink, light blue) | ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ | The subtle shades are still quite light and translucent. |
| Medium-saturated colors (beige, natural, gray-blue, yellow, raspberry) | ⭐⭐⭐☆☆ | They absorb more light, but can still be slightly translucent. |
| Darker earthy tones (mustard, burgundy, reddish, petrol, red, pickle, lilac) | ⭐⭐☆☆☆ | Significantly lower translucency |
| Dark and saturated colors (dark blue, dark gray, black) | ⭐☆☆☆☆ | Almost opaque, absorbs light, highest coverage. |
Why is linen translucent?
The translucency of linen clothing is not accidental – it is related to the natural structure of the linen fiber and the way the fabric is woven. Linen is a unique material that combines strength, lightness and airiness, which is also reflected in its optical properties.
🔹 Structure of flax fiber
Linen fiber is naturally long, strong, but relatively sparse. Unlike cotton or synthetics, it is not as finely spun, which means that there can be small gaps between the individual fibers. These gaps allow light to pass through, which can create a more translucent effect in light shades.
💡 Due to the translucency of linen fabrics, it is possible to get a slight tan under linen clothing, especially if it is made of light material and has a tight fit. If you want to protect yourself better from the sun, choose darker colors in a loose fit, or apply sunscreen under your clothing. 🌞
🔹 Fabric weight
Linen fabrics are produced in different weights – the lighter and thinner the fabric (for example, around 150–180 g/m²), the more airy it will be and therefore more translucent. On the other hand, denser linen with a higher weight (200 g/m² and more) will be less translucent, but at the same time less light and breathable. When choosing the right linen for our products, we must therefore consider for each model whether we will prioritize maximum lightness and comfort, or choose a denser material with less translucency.
Why is translucency more visible on light-colored linen?
Many customers notice a higher translucency in light linen clothing than in darker shades. This effect is completely natural and is related to the light properties of the material and the structure of the linen itself.
🔹 Light shades do not absorb light
Dark colors like black, navy or burgundy absorb more light, meaning they are less translucent. Conversely, light shades like white or soft pastels reflect and partially transmit light, which can make the fabric appear lighter and more translucent, especially in direct sunlight or against a contrasting background.
⚠️ White linen is the most translucent . If this property bothers you, choose dark clothing options (dark blue, burgundy, black,...).
🔹 The natural nature of flax
Linen is a natural material that, unlike synthetic fabrics, is not typically chemically treated to increase its density or reduce its translucency. This allows it to retain its lightness, breathability, and natural texture, which is great for wearing comfortably, but it also means that the fabric can be more transparent in lighter colors.
How do we work with translucency when designing clothes?
To ensure that our linen clothing is not only beautiful, but also comfortable and practical, we take the translucency of the material into account when designing individual models.
🔹 We use different weights depending on the type of clothing
We use the lightest linen (130 g/m²) for summer T-shirts and tank tops, and for clothing (dresses, skirts, trousers) we use linen with a weight of around 180 g/m². A separate chapter is home textiles, which we sew from linen with a weight of over 200 g/m².
🔹 Thoughtful design makes a difference
While tight, fitted cuts can accentuate see-through, looser cuts naturally reduce the effect of transparency by allowing the fabric to flow freely and not hug the body. This is one of the reasons why loose cuts are so popular.
💡 Choose your favorite oversized cut for summer dresses and T-shirts to reduce transparency in light colors.
🔹 We consciously work with details
When designing, we ensure that the cut of the clothing minimizes transparency in key areas. For example:
✔ Pleated skirts or dresses with more fabric reduce the effect of transparency.
✔ Double layers in problem areas ensure greater comfort.
✔ Pleated details or structured cuts can optically reduce the impression of transparency.
Thanks to these practices, we keep linen clothing light, breathable and natural, but at the same time we try to minimize situations where higher translucency might be impractical.
How can customers help themselves when wearing light linen?
If you love light linen pieces but are worried about their translucency, there are a few simple tricks to make them even more comfortable to wear.
🔹 The right choice of underwear
One of the most effective solutions is choosing the right underwear. Nude shades are ideal because they blend in with the skin and do not show through under clothing. Light colors, such as white or cream, can stand out more under white linen. A petticoat can also be used with skirts and dresses to provide more coverage.
💡 Use the translucency of linen to your advantage. A light linen dress over a contrasting swimsuit looks really sexy on the beach!
🔹 Layering clothes
If you want to feel even more comfortable, you can combine light linen clothes with a light tank top or shorts. For example, a soft cotton or silk tank top in a neutral color is great under a white linen shirt. A light petticoat can also help with skirts and dresses, which prevents unwanted transparency.
🔹 Choosing the right cut
Looser, flowing cuts minimize body hugging and thus the optical impression of translucency. Oversized dresses, wide skirts or airy blouses naturally have more coverage thanks to the greater amount of fabric.
🔹 Proper lighting when trying
If you're not sure how sheer a garment is, try it on in natural daylight. This will give you the most accurate idea of how it will look outside, where you'll be wearing it most often.
Don't be afraid of linen! Its lightness and airiness are priceless in summer. And if you choose the right cut, layering and underwear, you will enjoy its natural beauty to the fullest.
