2023…the summer of linen? - YouLookFab Forum

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2023…the summer of linen?

Runcarla

Veteran

I was having a chat with a SA in an independent boutique and the conversation turned to linen. She volunteered that she can hardly keep linen garments stocked this summer, and a friend of hers with an independent home decor shop is seeing an increase demand for linen bedding!

I had a bad experience with a pair of linen blend trousers recently, but have 3 100% linen garments that are warm weather favourites. I don’t know if I would fancy linen bedding, though. I’m more of a cotton percale person (crisp and starchy! LOL!)

Linen seems to be a summertime favourite, but is it more popular this year than in others? Possibly a by product of the ‘coastal whatever’ trend? Do you ‘do’ linen? A little or a lot?

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41 replies

Latest reply was from lyn67

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Linen is really having a moment. I hadn't tied it to the coastal grandmother trend of last year but you may well have a point. I think it is popular always in hot climates and, well -- global warming means more of us live in hot climates for part of the year. I know on the west coast there are more linen-worthy days than there might have been a decade ago.

Linen was also very popular in the 90s. Linen and linen-cotton blends featured in my summer wardrobe then in a big way.

I think there are many more linen blends available now as well and although some (as you discovered) are frustrating, others are very nice.

I love linen and for the most part I'm at peace with the crease. I have lots of it in the closet now, as I've deliberately purchased linen and linen blends last year and this in order to stock up while it is trending.

These are my current linen and linen blend items for which I have Finds. There are a few yet to be collected.

Linen Boyfriend Shirt

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WASHED EFFECT LINEN BLEND PANTS

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Marks and Spencer

M&S Collection Pure Linen Floral Long Sleeve Shirt

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Banana Republic

Cruz Linen Utility Top

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Wide Leg Linen Pants

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Style Fan

Veteran

I have always had several pieces of linen in my wardrobe for summer. Linen works well for the hot months.
These are my pieces.

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Wide Leg Linen Trouser

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Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

YES.

SO MUCH LINEN, Carla - just like in the '90s!

Not a fan of linen bedding - but like to wear linen items in Summer! Wore the light blue striped linen shirtdress yesterday.

Here is my linen:

Short Sleeve Linen Shirt

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Wide Leg Linen Trousers

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Becky Full Sleeve Linen Blouse

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Banana Republic

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Marks and Spencer

M&S Collection Linen Rich Striped Midi Shirt Dress

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Sal

Veteran

I agree Carla. I have linen bedding - I do like it - although cotton is also wonderful.

I have linen pyjamas - plus lots of linen. Plus one or two viscose pieces that look like linen.

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LJP

Veteran

I agree it’s the summer of linen . Here it’s offered by every retailer at every piece point and in far more styles than ever before. I like linen home goods like table runners and napkins , I have a few pillow covers too . I’d love a duvet cover - maybe next year . Not a fan of linen sheets though- not a dry enough hand/feel . I have a fair number of linen garments and am trying to focus on collectible , higher -end pieces . My 3 Gap linen shirts look pretty crappy after a day of wearing .

nuancedream

Veteran

It does seem like linen is having its retail moment and I'm happy about it. I added a vintage Jones New York yellow linen shirtdress to my collection last year and a tan vintage British India Traveller linen shirt to my wardrobe just a few days ago. I'm pretty certain the dress is from the 1990s, which is when I wore linen a lot.

Sloper

Veteran

I admit that linen usually disappoints me - the wrinkles, the droopiness. But Poetry has some heavier-woven linens that I liked.

Irina

Veteran

Adding more linen pieces was one of my 2023 goals. I love linen and it’s my fabric of choice for summers. I added 6 pieces of 100% linen this year. And would not mind to find a few HEWIs. I do have some mixed fabrics in my closet but pure linen is my favorite. I tried last year linen bedding and by now almost completely switched to it plus silk pillows cases on my sleeping pillows.

L'Abeille

Veteran

I love the hand feel of linen! I have 2 wide-leg pants (one a blend) that I expect to get a lot of wear this summer. Plus a sleeveless dress and a sleeveless shirt. Would love to add more pieces.

I was gifted a linen duvet cover. It is so comfy, soft and cool. Sheets might be a bit rough though.

My mom has a story about linen bedding. This was back in the old country (Romania, in
the 1930s). Her mother kept having children, so they needed more bedsheets. So they planted a field of flax. After it was harvested, they soaked it in the brook to soften the fibres. All the village women came to the house to help spin it into yarn. Then it was taken to the home of the woman with the loom, who wove it into sheets.

And we can just pop out to Walmart if we need bedding.

SarahD8

Veteran

You know, I swore off 100% linen last year because I was not at peace with the aggressive crease. But then remembering how everybody on YLF raves about European linen helped me rationalize buying an Italian linen dress on Ebay. And wouldn't you know it I'm wearing a linen shirt as a topper as we speak, for the second day in a row -- pretty sure this specimen is vintage, though I'm not sure where it was made. So I guess I am a stealth linen enjoyer -- and as others upthread have mentioned, it's all about the quality.

cat2

Veteran

I don’t really like linen, I find woven linen to be itchy and scratchy. I do have some linen looking tees and knits, but they are all blended with cotton.

Indigoprint

Veteran

LOVE linen. I have pants, tops, jackets, dresses, skirts, aprons, linen kitchen towels, bread bag, shopping bags, napkins and table linens. I am thrifting linen pieces to make a shower curtain. I would love to have linen sheets but they are a bit spendy. I have considered making bed linens. Much of my linen is at least 25 years old and still looks new. I have loved it since I was able to buy my own clothing.

Echo

Veteran

I am generally not a fan of linen, as the wrinkles tend to bother me. However, smaller items - like tank tops or shorts - or tropical prints tend to help mask that issue. I have two linen items at present, a tropical printed linen dress and an orange print pair of shorts. I don't have a pic of the shorts, but the dress is from Loft and a photo is attached.

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ChristelJ

Veteran

Linen appeals to me more and more, partly because of the hotter summers we are having. In my humid climate, it does not cling the way other fabrics do, and it breathes superbly. Linen just feels so good! I have linen pants, tops, dresses and jackets and scarves.

Dee

Veteran

Yep, I’m part of the linen brigade too, I’ve got culottes, various tops, 1 dress and a jacket too. Essential wear on those hottest of days. Love all the patterns and colours that it comes in now.

Bonnie

Veteran

When I lived in the desert I had a lot of linen, mostly shirts, shorts, and dresses. It's a great way to dress when it is hot outside. I don't wear it as much now that I live on the coast but I do have a lovely linen bedspread.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Strangely linen is not very popular here despite our long and hot summers. Coastal whatever is just not a vibe that I see a lot. I like linen but don't have much as I just don't find much around. I remember many years ago a friend visited wearing a very coastal, linen look and stood out as a tourist. I need to look around and figure this out !

Elizabeth P

Veteran

Another linen fan!

I went through a phase a few years ago when I decided it was the best fabric for the heat of the summer, and bought several linen tees (which I didn't know was a thing until then, always thought of linen as woven) and they have become my favourite to wear. I also have several sweaters, pants, dresses, and some tank tops. Linen knits are a great way to avoid the creasing issues! I have one EF knit dress that tends to bag in the bum when sitting, which is always a bit of a disappointment (but I continue to wear it because it's cool (in both ways) and... well... EF!).

Joy

Veteran

I have lots of linen for summer and will probably add more. I find cotton hot. Seersucker is ok. It is constructed so that not as much fabric touches the skin. It can be hard to find but may become popular with global warming. It is less wrinkly than linen.

BlueJay

Veteran

I do have a linen shirt and linen blend pants. We were gifted Irish linen napkins from DH's aunt and uncle when we were married. Linen feels so luxurious, although sometimes the wrinkles annoy me, even though I enjoy ironing. I also really love flax plants (linen source) for their airy blue flowers.

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Allora

I had taken a vow of distance from linen many years ago, primarily because of all the wrinkles. Then I found a lovely (NWT) pair of linen blend trousers at a local consignment store this spring and decided I would try the blend to see if they worked better for me. Plus, they were 50% off so it was a small investment of $10 to see whether they would work or not. I really like them and just bought another pair that are linen blend in another color (new and at full retail... although H&M).

I've been looking for bottoms to wear in the summer that were not jeans so at least for the Summer of 2023, these will be my choice. I am definitely on the linen (blend) bandwagon this summer after many many years off that wagon!

slim cat

Veteran

I started doing linen jackets out of necessity - too hot at work most of the summer. It's not my favorite fabric but it does the job. Rayon, cotton/modal blend - would be nicer on my sensitive skin. Still like my linen pieces but prefer linen/modal, linen/cotton blend.

RobinF

Veteran

I am on the fence about linen. I have some pieces that I love and others that wrinkle so much they drive me crazy. But in general I wear it and love the lightness on hot days. I have a sleeveless button down linen shirt that is actually wearing out on the collar! It is very old and I only wear it on super hot summer days but sometimes it is just the right thing.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I’m not a big linen person — it often is only available in those flax-like colors that don’t suit me, and often feels scratchy to me. I’m also uneasy with feeling like I look creased and rumpled.

However, I’ve warmed to a few pieces. I’m wearing this green linen top (ensemble in finds) today, largely inspired to purchase it because I’ve fallen in love with this color lately. I wasn’t seeking a linen piece but decided to give it a shot. I tend to prefer linen blends for a little more drape and less crease.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Dolman-Sleeve Linen Shirt

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Seychelles Women's Fisherman Sandal

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Gap Brooklyn Plaid Ankle Pant

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Helena

Veteran

Linen is definitely having a moment and I am here for it! Love it in summer ... love being able to cover up without feeling stifled. My collection includes three shirts, one is several years old and the other two are in the last year, and a few pairs of shorts that are a linen blend that are also several years old. I think I'm sorted but wouldn't be opposed to a pair of flowy pants.

Irina

Veteran

I think that this linen popularity led to abundance of cheap, rough linen garments in retail. Finding good quality linen at affordable prices is still a challenge.

Star

Veteran

I have a few thrifted Italian linen pieces that I love. A rust skirt and blazer (not a set) and mocha brown utility pants. They are firmer good quality linen. Not a fan of floppy linen.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

OK, a question for the linen devotees, since I’m a bit of a novice with it:

I wore the green linen shirt yesterday and felt less than amazing in it. It wrinkled under the boobs after I sat in a restaurant to eat lunch, and bagged out in the back. Is this something that laundering will help to soften it and make it more soft and drapey? Or did I make a mistake in purchasing it? It seems to be a quality garment, but I’m not sure about the creasing. I don’t mind a bit of crinkled appearance *throughout* a garment, but the creasing under the chest was really not flattering.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Dolman-Sleeve Linen Shirt

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cat2

Veteran

I must confess I am thrilled to find others with sensitive skin that can’t stand the linen weave scratching and scratching. I thought it was a solo foible!

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