Linen is an all-time favorite natural fabric keeping you cool and airy throughout the warm months. This classic summer textile works best when worn with other natural fibres such as silk, cotton etc. Whether its short-sleeved linen shirts paired with chinos, or linen pants donned with cotton shirts and polos, or a classy linen blazer or suit – this fabric is the one to go for if you wish to have a dynamic summer. But this fabric holds a reputation for being a difficult child to take care of as it gets wrinkled up easily. But here we are to help you with just that. Here are some tips & tricks to take care of your favorite summer fabric, so that you can enjoy wearing linens in styles this season!
The Wear
Linen is not at all an easy fabric to be worn for long hours but following the correct tips and techniques, you can definitely pull it off. For starters, remove your linen jacket when not in use. Wearing the jacket during driving or extended hours of sitting will surely cover it with unwanted wrinkles. If possible, hang it using a hanger in your car or office if you need it to stay in shape for an important meeting or party afterwards. Also linen pants tend to wrinkle quite easily, so get into the habit of pulling up your pants from the knees every time you sit down. This keeps the fabric stiff and in shape between your knees and waist thus avoiding wrinkling up of the crotch area due to sitting or slouching. Make sure there are minimum fabric stretch, sag and consequent wrinkles while wearing your favorite linen garments for best results!
The Wash
Linen is a sturdy and durable fabric, and hence can be either machine-washed or hand-washed. It will eventually get softer, thereby reducing its wrinkles with repeated washes. Also, just like cotton, it tends to shrink; hence it’s best to avoid washing it in hot water and to opt for cold or warm water (read cold if your linen is of a dark or vibrant color). Linen should be washed using mild detergents and fabric softeners should definitely be avoided. Also, make sure to never bleach your linen clothing even if it’s white. Due to the gentle structuring of this fabric, it’s an absolute must that you launder it on gentle cycle with other delicate fabrics and items and avoid washing it with heavy stuff such as jeans and hoodies. Also, in case of hand washing linen, avoid wringing the fabric or it will lose its shape. To remove stains, take the help of cold water and white vinegar or club soda. And of course just like any other fabric, read the wash care labels before washing!
The Drying
Drying a linen garment is equally important as washing them, and it’s in the best interest of linen clothes to never see the insides of a clothes dryer or else the heat can make them shrink. In ideal situations, you should let your freshly-washed linen garment air dry whether laying it flat on a towel or using a drying rack. You can use a hanger but only if it’s padded or else it will leave dent marks on the fabric. Do not wring the fabric to remove excess water – just roll it in a towel to absorb the moisture. Other than good looks, this fabric is fast drying, a quality that makes it perfect to be worn during travelling. So, pack in those linen shirts & linen shorts for your summer holiday trip!
The Ironing
Ironing your favorite linen pants needs as much attention & care as wearing or washing them. For best results, press the linen garment straight out of the wash while it’s still damp. And in case the fabric is dry, dampen it using a spray bottle filled with water or use a steam iron. To keep the fabric looking crisp and hold its shape for days, spray the fabric with sizing as you iron. This will help resist the wrinkles as sizing, unlike starch, does not make the fabric stiff. The dampness helps against the burning of the fabric as it dries quite fast. While ironing, keep it on a medium to high setting and press it only till the wrinkles are removed. No need to press till the fabric is dried as it is capable of doing that on its own. Bright and dark colored linen garments should be ironed on the backside to prevent shiny patches or fading. For linen clothes, iron first on the inside to remove the wrinkles and then on the outside to get a nice crisp sheen. After ironing, expose the garment to hanging and avoid folding your linen items.
So, caring for and pulling off the linen fabric is an at least four stage process with lots of things to be kept in mind. Just remember to take time out to wash, dry and iron this fabric the right way and it won’t disappoint you. Upgrade your summer wardrobe with the most dapper linen pieces from Lifestyle and live life in style!
