Linen tees - what's the difference? - YouLookFab Forum

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Linen tees - what's the difference?

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Okay, educate me. I've never worn a linen top so I don't know what to look for. I spied this one for a super price. http://www.amazon.com/Misses-L.....F8&qi

And then this one, still a good price, but 5x as much, even on sale. http://www.amazon.com/Linen-Je.....F8&qi

So my question is, what is the difference between the two, if there is one? And moreover, what should I be looking for in a linen tee for summer? Thx!

Shopping

22 replies

Latest reply was from Catnip

Anonymous

I have had some linen tees shrink by 50% or more when washing them. I can usually stretch them back out, but I think linen knits can be picky.

Chris once put one of mine into the dryer and it came out child-sized. I only ever wash cold and hang to dry.

Diana

Veteran

Well, cheap linen can be scratchy. But that said, I have a forever 21 linen tee that feels great so I'm not sure price is the only determinant. Anyway I look for softness (but remember all linen has a slightly "crispy" feel) and not too see through.

And like Ceit said, they can shrink in the dryer but you can generally rewet them and stretch them back out if that happens.

unfrumped

Veteran

They can feel very nice and drapey and cool--they cling less than cotton--so great for hot weather and don't wrinkle (much) like woven linen. If too thin or not well-made, they will also start looking droopey and stretched-out. Usually not a problem for casual wear. I like some for hot summer work-wear tops and so try to discern (crystal ball, yeah) what may hold its shape better.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Hmm, sounds like a crap shoot of sorts . . . ideally I would be able to touch them first, but alas the online issue prevents that.

ironkurtin

Veteran

It's hard to say from the pics but my guess is that the fabric bad cut will be different. Let us know!

cade

There is a vast difference in qualities of lines just like any other fibre. A good linen shirt can is comfortable and will hold its shape, while a cheap one will make you wonder what the fuss is all about.

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I think cade is right; there are definite differences in quality. Having said that, like Diana, I have a cheaper one that is pretty good. (Mine is from H&M). But it's not as soft and is more see-through than the ones I have purchased from J. Crew, even though they are labeled as "tees" and it was labeled as a "linen sweater."

deb

Veteran

I ordered this one from J Crew in brilliant blue last week and will report back when it arrives.

ironkurtin

Veteran

In general, linen brands I trust are:
- Joie
- Eileen Fisher
- Majestic
- 120% Lino
- CP Shades
- Resho (Spirit Jelly)
- Inhabit

I find J Crew and Madewell linen tees spotty, they are very sheer. But sometimes that's what you want. I have been warned never to put Madewell linen tees in the drier, however.

rabbit

Veteran

Anyone know anything about this brand? WHITE?

http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/ju.....1000003322

Mostly cotton but with some linen.

Em

*If too thin or not well-made, they will also start looking droopey and stretched-out."

Those on the pictures already look that way...

*

Anyone know anything about this brand? WHITE?

http://tjmaxx.tjx.com/store/ju.....1000003322

Mostly cotton but with some linen.*

I don't know anything about it, but it appears surprisingly well-made (particularly for the price) and it's not see-through. I also like the fact that the percentage of cotton is very high and there's only a touch of linen.

Vildy

Veteran

The two Amazon ones look totally off-grain to me.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

Vildy does that mean the line of the threading (I don't know how else to describe it) isn't straight across?
I also had my eye on a cotton/linen mix from Free People. http://www.freepeople.com/we-t.....e1-bf90-10 It cost more but maybe it's a better place to start? It doesn't look as drapey as I'd like, but maybe that comes with washing and wears with linen?

Diana

Veteran

I'll add that when I bought my f21 one I ordered like 4 different styles from them and I only liked the one. All the rest were transparent, or scratchy, or droopy. So maybe you'd have a higher success rate at a higher price point.

Vildy

Veteran

When you place a pattern piece on fabric, for home sewn garments, there is a double headed arrow and that should go on the straight grain of the fabric. If you neglect to do that, then what happens is that parts of the piece (the front, back, sleeve, etc) are going to be somewhat on the bias where they should not be. Bias stretches. The piece will hang, drape, sag funny.

Catnip

Veteran

Like Mo, I also need to be educated. I've had some really beautiful linen garments in the past... linen blazers, trousers and shirts, for example. The dry cleaning bills were astronomical! But I've never a linen tee. What is the advantage over a high quality cotton tee, and why would anyone want a linen tee?

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Vildy, that is fascinating. Thank you! You have such an extensive knowledge of the makings of clothing; it is very helpful.

Catnip, linen tees are more "fluid" than most cotton tees. They drape better. So they are more likely to look effortlessly relaxed in that very 2014 way.

Linen is also generally cooler and does not "stick" as much in the heat and humidity.

Linen also provides a beautiful if subtle textural element (in a knit as well as a woven) that some people love.

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

Yes, to all of the above. Linen does not cling and is cool, which are wonderful qualities, but bad linen totally loses shape in the laundry, or tears, or shrinks.

lyn67

Veteran

IMO there is a relevant difference in texture! I like my linen tees for their special and very dfferent texture compared to the cotton ones. They are not an even color either, I mean they have an uneven alternation of their texture with a somehow shadowed horizontal lines. Cannot explain better similar to the organic cotton, but more pronounced and have a crispier feel! And yes, they don't cling that much so in additioon they usualy drape well and still feel organic and natural.

ironkurtin

Veteran

Catnip, In broiling weather cotton knits absorb sweat and becomes a sodden wad. Linen knits are typically airier and less weighty so they aren't as hot. They're also typically in looser styles because it suits the texture better.

Wovens are a different beast, but I still prefer linen to cotton in the summer if possible.

Mo

(website)

Veteran

I did not go for either Amazon choice, but instead ordered the Free People seamed one. It has more interest, and is a cotton/linen blend.

Catnip

Veteran

OK, I'm sold. I'm off to shop for a high-quality, washable linen tee.