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Wear, value and linen tees

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

As I mentioned in this thread, I'm thinking about a spring refresh of some essentials. Last year was the first year I'd heard of linen tees. Anyone have anything to say about how well they wore compared to regular tees of similar brands? Are they worth spending extra for?

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Summer

Veteran

I want to try these, too. I shall be interested to hear what others have to say.

Greyscale

Veteran

Linen is very durable in my experience, but the colors are a little muted so they look faded even if they aren't. For me, that means I don't wear my black linen tees as often. But for someone who wears colors other than black, they're amazing! I'm seeing even more linen than last year so I might buy a few white linen tees this spring.

Zara often has linen tees for only ~$20. I don't know if they're bringing them back this year.

Edit: I checked out your other thread and I should note that Zara tees don't last as long as some others. The fabric itself is fine but the hems etc often have a few loose threads that get worse over time. So if you're looking for real longevity, the extra cost of other brands might be worth it.

ma

Veteran

Also following! I was stalking them at BR but have yet to actually buy. I did thrift a gap sleeveless button down and I really like it, the linen is soft and light...I think it'll be great in the hot Midwest summer.

Diana

Veteran

I think they wear better than cotton of similar thickness. Linen is a much stronger fiber than cotton.

I do find that low quality linen can be scratchy. But I have mid range ones (Gap, ann taylor, etc) that are fine, and even one F21 one that was OK (although very many other F21 ones I tried were sent back). So it's possible to find them at lower price points. They do soften with wear, but when new/just washed they should be stiffer but still not itchy.

A care note though: you cannot put linen knits in the dryer. They will shrink like mad. Machine washing is fine, but you need to block them dry (lay them flat and shape them a little bit while wet). You can drip dry too but they may stretch a bit in length. The good thing is, if you accidentally put it in the dryer, you can rescue it by washing again and stretching it out while it's wet. (ETA: The above refers to linen KNITS only. It's usually fine to machine dry woven linen.)

Rambling Ann

(website)

Veteran

Excellent info, Greyscale, about the black color fade. And Diana too about the care and itch. I definitely don't want itchy!

I wonder if the white ones have fewer issues with lack of opacity.

I think I'll probably try a few on when I get a chance to go up to town. I'm looking for something a little more splendid than the regular old basic white tee, and don't mind spending if it lasts more than my 8 week summer.

Do they need ironing if you line-dry (we line dry everything here in the summer)?

Thistle

Veteran

I am watching with interest, most especially your question on ironing. That has been a main reason I have stayed away

unfrumped

Veteran

Linen knits are working well for me but there is a lot of variation and not always related to price point. I have a Loft linen fine-gauge sweater that is very wrinkle resistant and JCrew that is more delicate and prone to wrinkles, though they seem to fall out after hanging.

Diana

Veteran

I don't iron, period. =P Flat blocking prevents bad wrinkles. I probably wouldn't hang them in a standard way on a hanger to dry because the shoulders might stretch out, but it would be ok to fold them over the hanger bar. That might leave a crease from the fold but it should "melt" away when you wear it and the fabric softens up. It's a RATE look though - you will never get a super crisp look with a linen tee (to greyscale's point about the faded look too).

abc

Veteran

I got a couple a while back from BR and so far I am loving them. They're fluid fit (vs my tshirts that are fitted) and the ones I got ahve a little metallic sheen to them. I'm looking forward to having these be a backbone of my summer style.

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Roxanna

Veteran

I love love them - I got a couple from J crew last year that were good thickness and quality. What I love is the drape - they skim over lumps and bumps and provide a much more polished look to my eye than the tissue- thin cotton we've been seeing for a few seasons.

Aziraphale

Veteran

I LOVE linen tees. Last year they seemed to crop up in abundance everywhere, and I picked up a few as an experiment. I don't think I can go back. Some of the best ones I have are actually linen blends (often linen/cotton) and they seem to wear very well and have excellent drape. All of my linen tees are flattering, whereas cotton and rayon can sometimes cling unflatteringly.

The only thing about linen is that lighter colours work better -- black tends to look faded, even when it's brand new. Oh, and what Diana said: you can't put them in the dryer.

UmmLila (Lisa)

Veteran

Diana is totally right on the care of linen. I love linen knits for their drape, and because I think they look a little dressier than cotton t shirts, but I have inadvertently ruined a couple of items by not paying attention to which laundry pile I had them in.

Eileen Fisher makes very nice linen tees (there is a short sleeve, scoop neck, longish style that seems to come back frequently.) Poetry Fashion does nice linen t shirts also, but theirs are often more transparent and require a camisole underneath. I had good luck with some very light Massimo Dutti linen sweaters that were almost tee weight last year.

Tania

Veteran

Great info in this thread. I just received my first linen knit tank today and have yet to try it on.

Joy

Veteran

I have some EF linen tees and tanks and, about ironing, it depends on the individual piece. I usually iron or at least steam them to restore the size. If you don't mind shrinkage and a puckered texture, line dried can be enough. I have an EF piece that was too big but fits if I don't iron it. Over time and multiple washings the linen often gets softer with less need to iron. My favorite hot weather tees are silk.

annabelle

Veteran

I love my Velvet and Petit Bateau cotton t's for summer. I have a Brochu Walker linen t that has been a workhorse. Linen has a different and more sophisticated texture than in my run of the mill cottons. However, I have a negative report as well. Linen holds its shape so well that it's easy to wreck. I sent back a Splendid linen t that ended up with notable sized dents, from me having pulled on it, say to straighten it out.

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Grey Rainbow

EF linen tees, tanks and tunics are my go-to. I travel a lot and for summer trips in hot, humid climates this brand has proved the most durable as well as comfortable, presentable, and easy to wardrobe. I wash in cold water gentle cycle (hand wash in sink when necessary), and hang to dry. Never iron. If at home, I toss in the dryer on air (no heat) with a couple of dryer balls just to soften. I've never had any EF linen knit wrinkle, including her cardigans.

I find EF white linen sheer, and as Greyscale noted the black looks faded. Marled grey and dark navy are marvelous.

I stopped by Uniqlo and took a look at their new linen tops this evening. The linen 3/4 sweater is very sheer, in white and navy too. Feels more like a tee than a sweater, same weight as EF linen tees. True to size, nice high-low hem not too exaggerated. I would wear this over an EF linen tank or tunic. The linen shirts, both sleeveless long sleeve, also fit true to size. Great colors, soft linen, on inspection seem as well made as EF linen shirts. I didn't see any tees, but I'll be looking there are spring and summer rolls out.

deb

Veteran

I ordered linen tees and sweaters from this site last year an loved all I purchased. I threw them in the washer and dryer and they came out great once I sized up. I ordered one tee first in my size the did the wash and dry thing. It did shrink but fit my daughter beautifully and she loved it.

http://www.poetryfashion.com/index.htm

Anonymous

Another lover and devotee here. I ruined my first one inadvertently with not paying attention to which load of laundry it was in, but once I got that down pat, I favour them over cotton tees - at least for outfits that I want to look pulled together and dressier/sharper. There is nothing like a white linen knit tank for cool drape and ease of wear. I love grey linen too . BR already has some in stock. I saw some on the sale rack at J Crew earlier this week but was decidedly unimpressed given how many members own them here. They looked a little tired - but maybe they were, given they were on the sale rack:)