{ Reading this book (affiliate link) – among other ressources – to research linen pros and cons }
While I still like cotton and am looking for pieces made from hemp to add to my summer wardrobe, I’ve also been looking at the pros and cons of linen. The latest sustainable material to have entered my mind. As with hemp I’ve kind of kept my distance for the same reasons most people don’t think sustainability and fashion go together – it made me think of hippie-ish, earth-coloured outfits. But after seeing this dress from Everlane, I’m inclined to take that back.
Because let me tell of the pros and the cons of linen
The cons
Linen is a more expensive raw material than cotton, but that’s pretty much the only con I could find. And to be honest, thinking of all the negatives of cotton (the amount of water and pesticides that’s used to grow it) there probably should be an environmental tax on cotton anyway. At the very least, it will most likely increase in price in the future if we don’t find a way to solve the water scarcity in the cotton producing countries. So not sure how long this will remain a con.
But, instead of talking of the cons of cotton, let’s look at the pros of linen, because there are many.
The pros
Linen is made from Flax, which is environmentally friendly to grow, as it requires little irrigation and little energy to process. Furthermore, there’s hardly any pesticides needed as long as it is part of a crop rotation to protect the soil.
Linen is cool and has absorbent properties unlike any other natural fibre (apparently a well known fact around the world). It does not pill and is resistant to stains, meaning they can be washed out at lower temperatures than i.e. cotton.
Linen is durable and practical and the more often it is worn and washed, the softer, smoother and more beautiful it becomes – how cool is that?! Furthermore, it’s 12 times as strong as cotton, which also helps prolong its lifetime. It’s easy to dye and is colourfast for a long time. Additionally, it can be sun bleached for a lighter colour instead of using artificial agents.
So while I still really like (organic) cotton and am looking for hemp pieces for my summer wardrobe, I will also be on the lookout for linen the next time I need something new.
