topic Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric? in Fashion

Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Nana5 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:19:44 GMT

Several years ago, I got a number of linen skirts, jackets, etc. I like the natural fiber but they are a pain to keep looking good.

Is linen still popular? I haven't seen anything linen on QVC for years. Maybe it's there and I'm just not seeing it.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

lolakimono — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:20:42 GMT

I think it's getting harder to find all around, but certain places have quite a few items.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Colonel Meow — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:23:39 GMT

You know, now that you mention it - no, I don't see much linen around at all lately. I'm talking about "out and about", noticing what other folks are wearing. I, personally, don't own any linen for the same reason you gave - hard to keep it looking good throughout the day.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Mom2Dogs — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:27:11 GMT

I saw a navy blue pair of slacks at Macy's last week. I really wanted them but the wrinkling....I just don't like that wrinkled look but love the fabric!

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

kittymomNC — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:27:18 GMT

Funny you should mention that...I was in line behind a lady just last week at the Costco Pharmacy. She was wearing a khaki colored linen jacket and pants -- I had no doubt that it was linen because it was a wrinkled mess (no offense). I couldn't imagine going out in public like that...it's just impossible to get real linen to stay looking nice especially if you wear it for several hours.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

ChynnaBlue — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:27:53 GMT

I like linen blends, but linen is just too much trouble for me.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

colliegirls — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:29:31 GMT

I love,love,love linen, wrinkles and all!

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

lrmuffin — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:39:14 GMT

On 7/29/2014 colliegirls said:
I love,love,love linen, wrinkles and all!

Me too.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

HAPPY LADY — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:39:46 GMT

As I read your reviews I said to myself, these must be ladies who have grown up with primarily synthetic fibers. Linen is one of the coolest fabrics you will ever wear in the summer. It is a coarser fiber than cotton (although there are different deniers in the fiber threads for both fabrics) and because of the fiber and the fact it was once a living entity it absorbs moisture and swells. Once it dries down, it wrinkles. Have you ever ironed a linen tablecloth? Takes forever and you have to go over several times. Linen is supposed to be soft; not starched and ironed. I wear my very expensive Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher etc linens; wrinkled. I wash and do not iron. By the way, synthetic fibers do not absorb moisture and are hotter, easier to maintain and do not fade. Guess there is a trade off. I love wrinkled linen; good linen is very expensive. I have horribly expensive real linen sheets from Portugal and they are the coolest sheets I have; including silk. When I see wrinkled linen, my mind says, yes, that's the good stuff. Different strokes for different folks!!!

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Colonel Meow — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:45:31 GMT

On 7/29/2014 HAPPY LADY said:
As I read your reviews I said to myself, these must be ladies who have grown up with primarily synthetic fibers. Linen is one of the coolest fabrics you will ever wear in the summer. It is a coarser fiber than cotton (although there are different deniers in the fiber threads for both fabrics) and because of the fiber and the fact it was once a living entity it absorbs moisture and swells. Once it dries down, it wrinkles. Have you ever ironed a linen tablecloth? Takes forever and you have to go over several times. Linen is supposed to be soft; not starched and ironed. I wear my very expensive Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher etc linens; wrinkled. I wash and do not iron. By the way, synthetic fibers do not absorb moisture and are hotter, easier to maintain and do not fade. Guess there is a trade off. I love wrinkled linen; good linen is very expensive. I have horribly expensive real linen sheets from Portugal and they are the coolest sheets I have; including silk. When I see wrinkled linen, my mind says, yes, that's the good stuff. Different strokes for different folks!!!

Oh, I agree that linen feels cool and is a practical choice in summer. All of your points are valid. I just can't get past feeling like a wrinkled mess, you know? Maybe it wouldn't bother me so much on my days off, but I just know that I couldn't wear it on work days and feel put together - does that make sense? lol

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

HAPPY LADY — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:54:35 GMT

On 7/29/2014 HAPPY LADY said:
As I read your reviews I said to myself, these must be ladies who have grown up with primarily synthetic fibers. Linen is one of the coolest fabrics you will ever wear in the summer. It is a coarser fiber than cotton (although there are different deniers in the fiber threads for both fabrics) and because of the fiber and the fact it was once a living entity it absorbs moisture and swells. Once it dries down, it wrinkles. Have you ever ironed a linen tablecloth? Takes forever and you have to go over several times. Linen is supposed to be soft; not starched and ironed. I wear my very expensive Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher etc linens; wrinkled. I wash and do not iron. By the way, synthetic fibers do not absorb moisture and are hotter, easier to maintain and do not fade. Guess there is a trade off. I love wrinkled linen; good linen is very expensive. I have horribly expensive real linen sheets from Portugal and they are the coolest sheets I have; including silk. When I see wrinkled linen, my mind says, yes, that's the good stuff. Different strokes for different folks!!!

I forgot to mention Linea has Linen/Rayon jacket A253575 and pants regular A253580 and pants petite A253589. This fabric is softer because of the rayon and not as wrinkley?? I have all the colors and love this fabric. He just reduced the price because this is a seasonal fabric and broken sizes. Not much left. I also bought extra pants and cut off to make shorts.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Kachina624 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:57:04 GMT

On 7/29/2014 HAPPY LADY said:
As I read your reviews I said to myself, these must be ladies who have grown up with primarily synthetic fibers. Linen is one of the coolest fabrics you will ever wear in the summer. It is a coarser fiber than cotton (although there are different deniers in the fiber threads for both fabrics) and because of the fiber and the fact it was once a living entity it absorbs moisture and swells. Once it dries down, it wrinkles. Have you ever ironed a linen tablecloth? Takes forever and you have to go over several times. Linen is supposed to be soft; not starched and ironed. I wear my very expensive Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher etc linens; wrinkled. I wash and do not iron. By the way, synthetic fibers do not absorb moisture and are hotter, easier to maintain and do not fade. Guess there is a trade off. I love wrinkled linen; good linen is very expensive. I have horribly expensive real linen sheets from Portugal and they are the coolest sheets I have; including silk. When I see wrinkled linen, my mind says, yes, that's the good stuff. Different strokes for different folks!!!

You must be quite a sight to behold.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

FLgardener — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:57:06 GMT

I love good linen and the wrinkling doesn't bother me at all. I read an article about linen in which a linen expert said not to iron it. I agree.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

kittymomNC — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 00:59:14 GMT

On 7/29/2014 HAPPY LADY said:
As I read your reviews I said to myself, these must be ladies who have grown up with primarily synthetic fibers. Linen is one of the coolest fabrics you will ever wear in the summer. It is a coarser fiber than cotton (although there are different deniers in the fiber threads for both fabrics) and because of the fiber and the fact it was once a living entity it absorbs moisture and swells. Once it dries down, it wrinkles. Have you ever ironed a linen tablecloth? Takes forever and you have to go over several times. Linen is supposed to be soft; not starched and ironed. I wear my very expensive Ralph Lauren, Eileen Fisher etc linens; wrinkled. I wash and do not iron. By the way, synthetic fibers do not absorb moisture and are hotter, easier to maintain and do not fade. Guess there is a trade off. I love wrinkled linen; good linen is very expensive. I have horribly expensive real linen sheets from Portugal and they are the coolest sheets I have; including silk. When I see wrinkled linen, my mind says, yes, that's the good stuff. Different strokes for different folks!!!

I appreciate your viewpoint, but I'm what most on here would call an "old lady", and I don't think I had ever heard of synthetics or polyester, etc. when I was young. As a young married working woman, I sewed almost everything I wore and spent hours in fabric shops..maybe there were synthetics and blends, etc., I'm sure there was no polyester. I don't remember some of what I used. But I just can't get past the wrinkled look...it doesn't matter to me how expensive a garment is, I like to look neat, and linen just doesn't do it. But the world would be a boring place if we all liked exactly the same things!

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Danielle46 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 01:03:36 GMT

Linen will always be in fashion. Just because its not offered by QVC doesn't mean its not available. I purchased a few linen tops, a dress and a skirt at JJill and 2 linen dresses at Bloomingdales. I absolutely love linen and it will always be in style. Its probably too expensive for QVC to offer.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

Lucky Charm — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 01:14:51 GMT

I see it all around the beach towns, in 5 star restaurants or people just walking the boards.

I own probably a dozen pieces of linen garments.

Linen is timeless!

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

lianne — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 01:20:04 GMT

Linen is the best! I see it all summer long here in NYC. I only wear linen and cotton blends in the summer for work. No polyester

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

DiAnne — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 01:21:28 GMT

I love linen even if it does take a little extra care!

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

author — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 01:22:36 GMT

I see it worn frequently and I love it and wear it, some of it is un-ironed and some I press and then let it do what it will. It is so cool, in all ways.

Re: Is linen still a popular summer fabric?

sunshine45 — Wed, 30 Jul 2014 01:31:23 GMT

absolutely hate linen now.....i dont care for the way it looks and i dont like all of the wrinkling. i used to wear it years ago, but i have "outgrown" the appeal of it.

j.jill still has quite a few linens and linen blend pieces.