Linen

We may as well talk a bit about the fabrics we’re planning to use in our own line of clothing.  Linen is one of them. 

Linen is one of the oldest textiles in human history, possibly dating back 30,000 years.  The Egyptians used it, so did the folks in Mesopotamia, and it’s mentioned in the Bible.  

Linen is a natural fabric made from fibers of the flax plant.  It is durable, absorbs moisture well, and it dries faster than cotton, making it a comfortable fabric to wear in warmer climates similar to Southern California.  As a natural fabric, linen is also easily compostable, as opposed to synthetic fibers like polyester or nylon that need to be recycled.  Flax plants require significantly less water than cotton to cultivate, with little or no fertilizer or pesticides. 

According to Wikipedia, and yes, we do like doing a bit of research on Wikipedia every now and then, Linen has quite an interesting etymological background.  The name linen is derived from the Latin name for the flax plant, linum, as well as a similar name used earlier by the Greeks.  The interesting part is the various uses of the word, including the word “line”, which apparently came from the use of a linen thread to draw a straight line.  The word “lining” is also related to linen since linen has often been used to create the inner layer of clothing, and “lingerie”, the word the French used to describe their linen underwear.

On the downside, garments made from 100% linen often wrinkle faster than other fabrics.  Flax plants take longer to harvest than other natural fibers, and it’s more difficult to weave. 

Given linen’s historic durability, and the fact that it’s a naturally grown fibre that is easily compostable, we believe it’s an eco-friendly opportunity to make clothing in a market that continues to evolve responsibly.