Linen has been coveted for its breathability, strength, and softness for centuries. But with linen clothing gaining popularity, it's now not unusual to see fakes or blended fabrics masquerading as "linen." At LinenWear, we stand for transparency, quality, and assisting our customers to make an educated choice.
So how do you know linen is authentic? In this post, we'll reveal the main indicators to check so you can shop confidently and invest in the real comfort and luxury of genuine linen.
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Table of Content: 1. Check the Label First 2. Feel the Fabric 3. Look for Natural Irregularities 4. Do a Wrinkle Test 5. Check Light Weight with Strength 6. Perform a Burn Test (For Advanced Users) 7. Price and Source |
1. Check the Label First:
Begin with the most obvious step check the fabric label. Real linen will be labeled as:
- 100% Linen
- Pure Linen
- Flax Linen (as linen is produced from flax fibers)
If it says a blend on the label, such as "Linen Cotton" or "Linen Viscose," then it's not 100% linen. Blends do have their uses, though, and won't provide the same advantages as 100% linen.
2. Feel the Fabric:
Real linen's texture is one that you notice immediately. It's:
- Gently rough or crisp to the touch (particularly when fresh out of the box)
- Cool and dry against the skin
- Not too soft like synthetic or cotton blends
With time, true linen naturally softens without losing its distinctive texture. If it feels too silky or slippery initially, it's probably not genuine linen.
3. Look for Natural Irregularities:
Real linen tends to have minute natural slubs minute knots or lifted threads in the weave. Such irregularities are a mark of authentic linen and are caused by the natural flax fibers.
If the material seems too smooth or too perfect, it might be an indicator of a machine-blended or synthetic substitute.
4. Do a Wrinkle Test:
Try lightly scrunching a small area of the material in your hand for a few seconds. If it:
- Creases easily and retains the wrinkle it's probably real linen
- Returns to its original shape it could be a cotton or synthetic blend
These lines belong to what makes linen so laid-back and effortless chic.
5. Check Light Weight with Strength:
Linen is light but strong. It must be breathable but not lightweight. Hold it up to light genuine linen will be mildly translucent but still solid.
If the textile is too thin and fragile or abnormally stiff, it's likely not real.
6. Perform a Burn Test (For Advanced Users):
If you're switching (and only if safe to do so), you can burn a small edge of the fabric to determine its authenticity:
- Authentic linen will smell like burning paper or wood, and produce fine ash.
- Synthetic materials will have a plastic smell and melt instead of burning.
This is not advisable on finished garments. It's better used when you're testing raw fabrics samples.
7. Price and Source:
Real linen is also more expensive to make than cotton or man made materials, because flax takes longer to grow and process. So when you see a "linen" shirt on sale for an awfully low price, beware.
We at LinenWear only use top of the line 100% linen that we source especially for our apparel so you never have to wonder what you're wearing.
Choose Authentic Choose Linen
Real linen is breathable, natural, durable, and luxurious. It’s a timeless fabric that only gets better with age. By learning how to spot the real thing, you’re not just protecting your investment you’re ensuring your wardrobe is filled with clothing that feels as good as it looks.
At LinenWear, we’re proud to offer authentic linen clothing for men and women crafted with care, styled for comfort, and designed to last.
