Speaking of linen - YouLookFab Forum

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Speaking of linen

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I have been eyeing this linen sleeveless top — I actually like all three colors (black, white, and blue). I’ve not seen it in person and have never seen any KK linen, so I’m wondering if it’s worth the $100+ price tag. I have realized that I don’t love the style of a lot of linen pieces I see. Many of them are too unstructured and voluminous for my taste — lots of high crew necklines and elbow length sleeves, which are not my best. This one does appeal.

Any experience to share with Karen Kane linen? Anyone seen it in person? It says “dry clean” but I know I’ve done fine with laundering some pieces like that in cold/delicate and hanging to dry — what would make linen a “dry clean” material?

Karen Kane Tie Front Linen Top

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21 replies

Latest reply was from Jonesy

nemosmom

Veteran

I can't vouch for the quality of Karen Kane, but I wash (cold water, gentle soap, delicate cycle, hang dry) my linen shirts and pants and have never had a problem. The only thing I would advise is to test the colorfastness FIRST - I did have one pair of linen joggers fade when I washed them in Tide. YMMV.

DonnaF

Veteran

I have a linen Nordstrom dress and a J. Crew shirt that both faded a lot, so I agree with Nemosmom about fading. It’s also a reason why I am hesitant to buy linen in deep colors in the future.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I hadn’t thought about the issue of deep colors, so thank you for bringing that up! Clearly I do not have much experience with linen, and that explains why, as my color preference definitely leans more towards deep and saturated colors rather than the traditional linen paler tones. I could use a new white summer top, but I don’t know if I want something white that purports to be “dry clean” — I definitely lack Angie’s superpowers and need something I can spray a little Shout on and throw in the washer.

Murph11

Veteran

FWIW, I've had this shift dress --in dark navy-- for 2 summers, made of "washable" linen, and with multiple delicate machine washes, it has not faded. I love it so!

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nemosmom

Veteran

I don't know if all dark linen is doomed to fade if washed at home. I have a dark chocolate brown linen shirt that has been fine - no sign of fading, while my aforementioned joggers are definitely faded. I wonder if it's because the joggers are "printed" with a camo pattern and not an actual dyed thread. Hmm...

cat2

Veteran

I think some fading is to be expected with linen, and you have to find that charming.

Laurie

Veteran

I love that top in the oat color. Awaiting your report on fit and quality!

Irina

Veteran

I think it might also depend on how often the garment is washed. My navy short sleeve shirt faded a bit but not my black long sleeve shirt. I wore the navy one more. But neither is “dry clean” - all recommended to be washed in cold water.

Sal

Veteran

My linen has faded a bit too - but I don’t mind that look. Black will end up a washed black look.

lisaflex

Veteran

I can say I have quite a bit of Karen Kane - no linen though. some things are better quality than others.

I have a khaki linen pants for a few years (cant recall brand) I dry clean and they are still going strong.

I have a j Jill linen top also that I dry clean and it is 2 yrs old and looks brand new.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Hm, interesting. I might just keep an eye on it to see if a sale price pops up. Seems to be happening more lately. That blue is pretty. But I’m really not interested in dry cleaning casual summer tops.

Anonymous

I’m curious about that price . It seems really high for that kind of top . I thought KK was a mid range dept store brand and a quick google to make sure I knew what I was talking about confirms that brand is sold at Walmart too . I don’t get it .

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yeah, Lisa, the price surprised me too. Their stuff is usually very reasonable at full price but a sleeveless top for $108?

Janet

(website)

Veteran

By the way, if anyone has a good recommendation for a good V-neck or interesting linen knit tee that isn’t a tunic or boxy, please let me know. I had a grey one from Sandro that I bought in Paris a million years ago and I can’t find it (may have gotten purged at one point?).

Murph11

Veteran

No stone unturned:

Garnet Hill has some interesting linen:
https://www.garnethill.com/wom.....%3A59TO298

Sundance
https://www.sundancecatalog.co.....&cx=0

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Thanks, Murph! I like the GH cap sleeve tee, and it’s available in a nice teal.

I like the collarless style of this Boden shirt in Finds.

Dolores Linen Shirt

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Murph11

Veteran

I like that collarless shirt as well!

cat2

Veteran

KK is made in the U.S.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Yes, Cat2, I like that about them. Their pricing is usually remarkably good for being made in the US, where I know production costs are generally higher. I just wonder if this particular top being more expensive is a hallmark of quality or just reflecting increased costs.

Anonymous

They might recommend dry cleaning to avoid fading of darker shades but also linen can tighten up after washing.

It can be relaxed with ironing but sometimes that leaves a sheen on the surface which will be that much more noticeable on dark colors.

Jonesy

Veteran

Hmm, I have lots of linen pieces and can't imagine dry cleaning any of them--they get softer and nicer with time. I've never had an issue with fading either, but maybe I've been lucky! I guess that would probably deter me from that KK top, unless it was on deep discount and I felt like gambling with washing/drying it.