Linen is gaining more and more popularity and many customers are buying it from us for the first time. This natural material has great properties, but also specifics that can surprise – and sometimes disappoint. This often stems from marketing claims that make linen an almost miraculous fabric. In fact, linen is one of many great materials, with its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will advise you on what to look for when choosing so that your first linen piece meets your expectations.
Specifics of linen clothing that may surprise and disappoint you
🌀 Linen is getting wrinkled – and there’s nothing you can do about it
A wrinkled appearance is a natural characteristic of linen, not a defect in the material. If you prefer a sleek look, you will need to iron your garment before each wear. We iron all products after sewing, but they will still arrive to you slightly wrinkled.
📏 Linen has no elasticity
Linen fabric is strong but has almost no stretch. This means it's important to choose the right size - a too-tight fit, which you're used to with other materials, will be uncomfortable in linen.
💡 Read our tips on how to choose the right size of linen clothing.
🎨 Linen fabrics can be slightly translucent
Light linens are more translucent than dark ones. In our article about sheerness of linen clothing, you will learn the causes of this phenomenon and tips on how to deal with it.
⚠️ For weights commonly used for sewing linen clothing (up to 180 g/m²), white linen is always at least slightly translucent.
💦 Linen shrinks easily
Even pre-washed or sanforized linen will shrink slightly after washing (1-3%). Over the past few years, we have tested linen from many European manufacturers – and although the sellers told us that their material is pre-washed and will not shrink, it always shrank at least a little after washing.
💡 Tip: The shrunken size can be "ironed out" and stretched again with a steam iron and a little patience. But yes, it means returning to the ironing board. 😅
🌿 Characteristic structure of the fabric
In every article about linen clothing, you will always learn something like this:
"Linen has its own typical texture that gives it a natural and elegant look. The subtle irregularity of the fibers is part of its charm and is not a defect of the material. On the contrary, it gives the clothing a unique character and natural aesthetic that is loved by lovers of minimalist and casual style."
It sounds beautiful and romantic, but translated into English it actually means this:
Linen fabrics are coarser to the touch and sometimes have small irregularities or “blemishes” in the fiber structure. So if you are looking for a perfectly smooth fabric without a single irregularity, linen may not be the right choice.
❄️ Linen keeps you cool in summer – but not always!
The slogan " linen cools in summer " does not apply in all circumstances! If you choose linen clothing in a heavier weight, in a dark color or with a tight cut, it can actually trap heat. The key to maximum comfort is a looser cut, light colors and a lightweight fabric that allows air to flow. Linen is a great choice for summer, but its cooling effect depends on the right choice!
⚠️ If you choose frilled or ruched models or tight-fitting multi-layered clothing, you can sweat a lot in the sun. Read a detailed explanation of why and in what situations linen will cool you down in the summer.
🌀 Caring for linen isn’t difficult, but It requires the right approach
Linen is a natural material that requires a little more attention than synthetics. While you can throw a polyester t-shirt in the washing machine at 40°C and wear it straight out of the dryer, linen is a little different:
- Washing – It is recommended to wash by hand or on a very gentle program at 30°C, without aggressive detergents or fabric softeners. Linen gradually softens and fabric softeners could unnecessarily "stick" the fibers.
- Drying – It is best to air dry, preferably spread out or hung on a hanger. A dryer will cause more shrinkage and breakage of the fibers.
- Ironing – Linen is best ironed when it is still slightly damp.
💡 Read details on how to care for linen clothing.
🎨 Colors in photos may not exactly match reality
When buying linen clothing online, it is good to keep in mind that the colors in the e-shop photos may look different than in reality. There are several reasons:
- Linen Texture and Its Effect – Linen has a natural irregular structure that reflects light in different directions. This can cause the fabric to appear slightly lighter or darker in real life than in the picture.
- Lighting when taking photos – Both natural and artificial light affect how color looks in a photo. Sunlight will bring out warmer tones, while cool light can slightly dull the color.
- Displays and their settings – Every monitor or mobile screen you view photos on displays colors differently. Some are brighter, while others emphasize certain shades (e.g. blue or red).
💡 Tip: If you are unsure about the shade, look at more photos of the same color on other products. For more recommendations, see our article: Why the color of a product may be different from the photo.
💛 You have to fall in love with linen – and then you (hopefully) won’t look back
Yes, linen has its unique characteristics that can be surprising - or even a bit annoying - for newcomers. But once you give it a chance (and get used to it), you’ll realize that no other fabric compares in the summer. The lightness, breathability, and timeless, rustic charm make it a favorite - not just for warm days, but all year round. We’re already excited about our upcoming autumn and winter linen collection!
Why choose linen clothing from us?
🇨🇿 We sew in the Czech Republic
All our products are made here in Podkrkonoší. It's damn expensive to produce something in Bohemia in today's conditions, but thanks to your support we still manage to do it. The seamstresses have work again and our customers are happy with beautiful dresses.
💚 Control over the origin and quality of the material
We have the linen fabrics used to make our clothing custom-made in European weaving mills to our specifications. This has solved many of the quality issues we faced when we started our production when purchasing linen from wholesalers.
📏 Clear size charts
Linen behaves differently than regular materials, so we make your selection easier with detailed size charts.
✂️ Custom length adjustment
We now offer the option of customizing the length of selected products. This means that even customers who have grown smaller or larger than the size chart "prescribes" can now enjoy linen clothing.
🔄 Possibility of exchange and hassle-free return
We want you to love your first linen piece. If you don't like the size or fit, we offer easy exchanges or returns.
🚀 Fast delivery and careful packaging
We understand that you are looking forward to your new linen piece! That is why we ensure fast shipping and pack the clothes so that they arrive in perfect condition. Products that we do not currently have in stock will be sewn for you as soon as possible.
📝 Design developed based on feedback
We are constantly improving our cuts and collections thanks to comments and recommendations from you - our customers. Each model is the result of the experience of those who wear linen clothes every day.
💬 Personal approach and real experience
Linen is not just a fabric – it is our lifestyle. We wear linen during the day and linen is also part of our work. Just last month we would have written here that we even sleep in linen bedding. Currently, this is not true. We are currently testing new bedding made from 100% hemp fabrics for you. If we sleep well in them, they will soon appear in our offer.
What is our favorite cooking oil? Since you've read this tedious article to the end, it probably won't surprise you that flaxseed oil won. 😊
