Linen is a textile made from the fibers of the flax plant. Flax is grown in many parts of the world, but top quality flax is primarily grown in Western European countries and Ukraine and is cultivated to produce both flax seeds and a fibrous stalk that can be broken down, spun into yarn and woven into a cloth we know as linen.
Long before using it in fashion, linen was the mummification cloth of choice for the ancient Egyptians, and has since, become a staple household and garment textile that has been used by both Western and Eastern civilizations.
The fiber is very absorbent and garments made of linen are valued for their exceptional coolness and freshness in hot weather. Linen fabric feels cool to the touch. It is smooth, making the finished fabric lint-free, and gets softer the more it is washed. Linen fabrics have a high natural luster; their natural color range is between shades of ivory, ecru tan, or grey. When properly prepared, linen fabric has the ability to absorb and lose water rapidly. Linen can absorb a fair amount of moisture without feeling unpleasantly damp to the skin, unlike cotton. Linen is a very durable, strong fabric, and one of the few that are stronger wet than dry. The fibers do not stretch, and are resistant to damage from abrasion.