Cloth In Detail : Our Linen

Linen is a plant-based fabric derived from blue-flowered flax, highly regarded for being diverse, environmentally friendly and sustainable. Linen has long been a favourite for tailoring due to its lightweight, absorbent and breathable characteristics. Naturally linen has coolness when touched, as the flax fibre is a good conductor.

The flax plant grows best in Northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands due to the region’s rich soil and mild North Sea climate, where sun and rain alternate and create an ideal growing climate for high quality flax . The flax fibres we source are rain-fed as opposed to irrigated.

Every year, flax growing in Europe captures 250,000 tonnes of CO2 – saving emissions equivalent to driving a small car around the world 62,000 times.

Flax is fully recyclable and biodegradable; therefore impact on the environment is minimal. Every part of the plant is used, so there is no waste.

95% of natural dyes are not viable for commercial apparel production due to availability and fastness requirements. Our linen is dyed using a cold pad batch method to ensure reduced water usage, as compared to exhaust dyeing techniques.  

Our pure linen across our tailoring is 228gsm , 6.7oz/sq yd and spun by a specialised mill in Ireland. Irish mills infamously weave linen slightly coarser than Italian mills, leading to a denser cloth with a heavier feel and a sharper look. Being a natural fibre, linen has natural imperfections referred to as slub in cloth, adding uniqueness to each garment.

Superior quality linen will become softer and silkier over time, while low quality linen will retain its rigid and rough texture and will lose its shape. The natural imperfections in the fabric add uniqueness to every garment.

With the technical knowledge and expertise of our sourcing partners, we ensure the premium nature and rich colour of our cloth will not fade over time. We believe that allows you to shop more consciously and less frequently.

Pairing our Chela linen jacket and trouser with our Pondicherry shirt, is our favourite way to dress up elegantly.