In the July issue of HABIBI LIFE, we outlined our current linen favorites for your body and your home. But many people aren’t aware of the distinct differences between linen and your standard cotton product, so we thought we’d dive a little deeper.
Both linen and cotton are durable, breathable fabrics that offer comfort and sustainablity. They are both derived from natural fabrics. But that’s primarily where the differences end. Both cotton and linen offer varying degrees of comfort based breathability and absorbency.
Cotton is a staple fiber produced from the cotton plant. Cotton is a soft and fluffy material that is spun and woven to create a durable fabric. Cotton has more stretch and flexibility than linen, although it is not as durable. Cotton is also smoother in finish, and softer to the touch. But because cotton fibers are softer, cotton products tend to ‘pill’ faster than linen.
Linen is a lightweight fabric that is made from the flax plant. Although linen is a natural fiber, it takes longer to harvest and make into fabric. This is because flax fibers can be difficult to weave. Linen is much more rigid than cotton, but it lasts longer. That’s because linen fibers are traditionally longer and wrapped tighter than cotton yarn, which increases its strength and durability. The downside is, because of its rigidity, linen tends to wrinkle faster.
Both cotton and linen are breathable and provide some water wicking benefits, but linen is the true star when it comes to keeping you dry and comfortable. Both work well in the warmer months, but linen outshines cotton when it comes to keeping you cool. Cotton can keep you cool in the summer months, but also be layered (or used with a thicker weave) to keep you warm and comfortable in cooler temperatures. Linen traditionally does not perform well in cold weather.
Whether you’re choosing fabrics for your body or your surroundings, know that in the end you’re the one who has to be comfortable. Hopefully this gives you a bit more insight to help you make the most informed (and the most comfortable) choice.