5 Reasons Why Linen is a Luxury

Linen is one of the oldest fabrics in the world. Throughout history, it has been a favorite of those in the higher echelons of power. Priests would use it for their vestments. Egyptian mummies were often found wrapped in linen for its durability and symbolic meaning attached to wealth.

Today, if you book a stay in a five-star hotel, the chances are you’ll be sleeping on pure linen bedding, or if you visit a high-rated restaurant, you might encounter quality table and kitchen linens all around. But what are the main qualities that make linen so luxurious? Here's what we think...

Comfort all year round

Linen is a highly breathable and heat-conductive fabric. In the winter, when wearing linen clothing or sleeping under a linen duvet cover, you'll notice it keeps you nice and warm because linen retains heat from your body.

During the summer, however, linen cools you off. It's because of the natural properties of the flax fiber, which is hollow, thus allowing air to circulate freely and move around moisture that builds up. We've actually found even more reasons to choose linen for summer, especially when going on a vacation, which you can discover in this blog post.

Longevity

Linen is known to be the strongest natural fiber in the world. It is 30% thicker and stronger than cotton, which makes it super durable and contributes the linen items' longevity. Linen fibers are so strong that, in fact, they are used in paper money, and were once woven into armor by ancient Greeks! The natural durability of the material makes linen a smart investment and is the reason why most of us have some sort of linen heirlooms passed down in the family for generations.

Health properties

Linen is famous for its antibacterial properties. Because it wicks moisture and dries out much faster than cotton, it doesn't let bacteria build up. By using linen bedding, linen bath towels, and kitchen items, you can wave goodbye to pesky dust mites and other germs. People who suffer from allergies report feeling relieved when using linen in their surroundings.

Need more convincing? The microscopic breaks in the linen fabric also gently massage your skin, stimulating blood flow and serving up spa-level relaxation in the comfort of your own home.

Eco-friendly and sustainable

The growing awareness of people's negative impact on the environment pushes many of us to choose eco-friendly, sustainable products. The good news is that linen is one of the greenest fabrics around! Linen is made from the resilient flax plant, which can grow happily in poor-quality soil and requires far less water than plants such as cotton.

Not only that, but the flax plant is used in its entirety to make various types of products, from linseed oil to food for livestock, and even wood-finishing products. What's more is that linen is completely biodegradable, so once you decide to finally retire a linen garment, you can be confident you won't be creating long-lasting waste.

Good looking

OK, we might be biased here, but it's pretty hard to argue that linen has its own distinct style that differs from other materials. Because it's so porous, it can be easily dyed in rich colors. Linen washing techniques, like stone washing, then give it a cozy, lived-in feel and hue. And lastly, the natural wrinkliness of linen, which signifies its quality, is unmatched in the textile world.