Linen

• Shirting: highly suitable
• Upholstery & Home: highly suitable
• Casualwear: highly suitable

Linen is derived from the stem fibers of the flax plant through a retting and scutching process that separates the long bast fibers. It is two to three times stronger than cotton and becomes stronger still when wet, making it exceptionally durable. Linen's hollow fiber structure and low fiber crimp allow rapid moisture evaporation, producing the cool hand feel that makes it the preferred shirting and suiting fiber for warm climates. The characteristic tendency to wrinkle is a result of linen's low elasticity — a property that also prevents pilling. Over time, linen softens with repeated washing while retaining its tensile strength.