Linen

Linen is from flax, a bast fiber taken from the stalk of the plant. The luster is from the natural wax content. Creamy white to light tan, this fiber can be easily dyed and the color does not fade when washed. Linen does wrinkle easily but also presses easily.

Linen, like cotton, can also be boiled without damaging the fiber.

Highly absorbent and a good conductor of heat, this fabric is cool in garments.

Linen., we love the look at least when we first put it on. Linen is notorious for wrinkling, and in an odd way, that's part of its charm.

But whether you struggle to keep your linen looking pressed, or embrace the wrinkled look as your own, you still confront the age-old question wash or dry clean?

Linen jackets, suits, and dresses must be dry cleaned to keep their inner construction (facings, lining, shoulder pads, etc.) intact. As a bonus, dry cleaning restores linen's crisp shape and finish.

If you want your linen shirts and shorts to have that same crispness, then have them dry cleaned. However, if you prefer a more relaxed look and feel to your linen, wash them at home.

According to CP Shades Clothing co-owner David Weinstein, casual linen pieces can be washed at home in the washer and dryer and in fact, he prefers this method.

"The more you wash linen, the less wrinkled it gets, because washing makes it softer," he says.

Before you wash linen blends, however, be sure to check the label. Mixes with other fibers such as silk and rayon can dictate the garment is dry cleaned...or head to the rag bag.

Avoid folding linen, and always iron it when it's damp.

 Irish linen is the brand name given to linen produced in Ireland. Linen is made from the flax fiber, which was grown in Ireland for many years before advanced agricultural methods and more suitable climate led to the concentration of quality flax cultivation in northern Europe (Most of the world crop of quality flax is now grown in Northern France, Belgium and the Netherlands). Since about 40 to 50 years ago the flax fiber for Irish Linen yarn has been, almost exclusively, imported from France, Belgium and the Netherlands. It is bought by spinners who produce yarn and this, in turn, is sold to weavers (or knitters) who produce fabric. Irish linen spinning has now virtually ceased, yarns being imported from places such as Eastern Europe and China.

Irish Linen yarn is defined as yarn which is spun in Ireland from 100% flax fibers. Irish Linen fabric is defined as fabric which is woven in Ireland from 100% linen yarns. Some people mistakenly believe, that to be genuine Irish linen, every stage, from the growing of the flax, to the weaving, must take place in Ireland. What constitutes genuine Irish linen has been defined by the Irish Linen Guild. To be Irish linen fabric the yarns do not necessarily have to come from an Irish spinner, and to be Irish linen yarn the flax fiber does not have to be grown in Ireland. However, the skills, craftsmanship, and technology that go into spinning the yarn must be Irish, as is the case with Irish linen fabric, the design and weaving skills must be Irish, and must take place in Ireland.