Linen Dress VS Cotton
Linen dress and pure cotton are two high-quality ways for us to wear them in spring and summer, but their materials and styles vary greatly.
Breath-ability：Linen is higher than cotton
Warmth: Cotton is warmer than Linen
Hypoallergenic: Linen is higher than cotton
Weight: Linen is lighter than cotton
Moisture Wicking: Linen is better than Cotton
Cost: Cotton is cheaper than linen
Keep on reading to know what exactly the differences?
When it comes to fabrics, linen and cotton can be said to be the best of the two fabrics. They are durable, breathable, and soft fabrics made of natural fibers. But there are many differences between them.
However, when comparing these two fabrics, it is necessary to start from different dimensions. Each material flourishes due to different elements, whether it is breathable or absorbent. Although they are both worn in summer, the two fabrics have their own functions, such as linen being more breathable and lightweight, while cotton is more durable and soft.
Regardless of which fabric you want to choose or which fabric to wear, does linen shrink more than cotton? please continue reading. In this article, I will share with you the advantages and disadvantages of the two fabrics and their comparison to help you make better decisions.
What Is Cotton?
Cotton, or cotton fiber, is a seed fiber formed by elongating and thickening the epidermal cells of the fertilized ovule, which is different from ordinary phloem fibers. Its main component is cellulose. Cotton fiber is a seed fiber formed by elongating and thickening the epidermal cells of fertilized ovules, which is different from ordinary phloem fibers. Its main component is cellulose. Cellulose is a natural polymer compound.
Characteristics of cotton type fabrics:
- Strong moisture absorption, large shrinkage, about 4 to 10%.
- Alkali resistant but not acid resistant. Cotton cloth is extremely unstable to inorganic acids, and even very dilute sulfuric acid can damage it, but the effect of organic acids is weak and almost does not have a destructive effect. Cotton cloth is more alkali resistant. Generally, dilute alkali has no effect on cotton cloth at room temperature, but after strong alkali action, the strength of cotton cloth will decrease. “Mercerized” cotton cloth can be obtained by treating cotton cloth with 20% caustic soda solution. “.
- Moderate light resistance and heat resistance. In sunlight and the atmosphere, cotton cloth will slowly be oxidized, reducing its strength. Cotton cloth can be damaged by long-term high-temperature action, but it can withstand short-term high-temperature treatment at 125~150 ℃.
- Microorganisms have a destructive effect on cotton fabrics. It is shown to be resistant to mold.
The world’s cotton producing regions are distributed between 38 ° to 46 ° north latitude and 35 ° south latitude. In 1983, 74 countries in the world produced commercial cotton, including China, the United States, the Soviet Union, and India, which annually produced more than 1 million tons of lint.
What Is Linen?
Flax is the earliest natural plant fiber used by humans, with a history of over 10000 years. Flax is a pure natural fiber, which is increasingly valued by humans due to its remarkable characteristics such as sweat absorption, good breathability, and harmlessness to the human body. At the same time, flax is also an oil crop, flax oil contains a lot of unsaturated fatty acids, so it is used to prevent hyperlipidemia and atherosclerosis.
Flax originated in the Near East and the Mediterranean coast. As early as 5000 years ago in the Neolithic Age, Swiss lake dwellers and ancient Egyptians. “Flax has been cultivated and used for textile clothing, and” mummies “throughout Egypt are also covered with linen.”. Flax likes a cool and humid climate. Flax fiber has the characteristics of strong tensile force, softness, good fineness, weak electrical conductivity, fast water absorption and dispersion, and high expansion rate. It can be used to spin high count yarns and make high-grade clothing materials.
Pros And Cons Of Cotton
Advantages Of Cotton
- Good moisture absorption
The cotton fibers contained in clothes made of pure cotton fabric have excellent moisture absorption and can absorb moisture into the atmosphere, with a moisture content of 8-10%. This ensures that clothing can maintain a soft and comfortable feel when it comes into contact with the skin. In addition, wearing clothes made of pure cotton in summer can better absorb sweat and keep the skin dry
- Good warmth retention
Cotton fibers have a low thermal conductivity and high cellular elasticity, so pure cotton fabrics have good thermal insulation
- Easy to color
Good dyeing performance, soft luster, and natural aesthetic feeling
- Does not irritate the skin
Pure cotton fabrics are made from naturally grown cotton as the raw material, and the cotton fibers in cotton are natural fibers, the main component of which is cellulose. It is very safe and does not cause any irritation after contact with the skin. Therefore, like clothes for infants and young children, pure cotton is the first material.
Disadvantages Of Cotton
- Easy to wrinkle
Pure cotton clothes are very easy to wrinkle after cleaning, and it is difficult to smooth them directly with your hands.
- Easy shrinkage
Pure cotton clothes are easy to shrink after being washed into the water, with a shrinkage rate of about 2% – 5%.
- Easy to deform
Clothes made of pure cotton are not very elastic and can easily deform after cleaning, especially for summer clothes with relatively thin fabric.
- Easy to adhere to wool
Pure cotton clothes can easily adhere to wool when wearing red, making cleaning up more difficult.
Pros And Cons Of Linen
Advantages Of Linen Fabric
The advantages of linen dresses and linen fabric obviously. Linen fabric is a kind of fabric with good moisture absorption and excellent moisture conductivity.
Linen fabric is woven using flax fiber as the main raw material. Therefore, flax fabric and flax fiber have similar characteristics, that is, flax fabric has very good moisture conductivity and absorption. Scientific experiments have proven that linen fabric can absorb more than 20 times its own weight of water. It can be seen that linen fabric has very good temperature regulation performance.
Disadvantages Of Linen Fabric
- Easy to wrinkle
Linen is a natural fiber, which has great toughness but no elasticity. Other fabrics will slowly restore their original shape after deformation, but linen cannot do so. Once deformed, it can only wrinkle.
Then did you know the fact that does linen shrink in length or width？ You can check out the linked article.
- Poor dimensional stability
This is also because it is prone to wrinkles, so it is not easy to measure the size, there will be deviations.
- Wearing close to the body can have a harsh feeling
As we all know, flax is made with natural characteristics, so the processing process will also retain its characteristics first, so it is inevitable that wearing it will have an uncomfortable feeling.
What’s The Difference Between Linen Dress And Cotton?
- Linen VS Cotton
| Properties | Linen | Cotton |
| Breath-ability | Highly-breathable | Less breathable |
| Warmth | Not warm at all | Warmer depending on fabric thickness |
| Hypoallergenic | Highly Hypoallergenic | Less Hypoallergenic |
| Weight | Light-weight | Medium-weight |
Moisture Wicking | Yes | Medium |
| Cost | More expensive than cotton | Cheaper than linen |
| Texture | Very soft after washing | It takes a long time to lift the ball |
| Ease of Care | Can shrink easily, wash in cold water and air dry. | Can shrink easily, washed in cold water and dry on low heat |
The Comparison Of Linen Dress And Cotton
Linen and cotton are durable, breathable, and soft fabrics made from natural fibers.
- In terms of fabrics
Both fabrics have common advantages, such as fast moisture absorption, good air permeability, and good antistatic performance.
- Durability
Clothes made of linen, such as linen skirts, have strong sweat absorption, rapid moisture absorption, good breathability, antibacterial, anti itching, and antistatic properties. The more you wash them, the softer they become. The more you use them, the friendlier they become to the skin. Like a pot of old wine, the longer it lasts, the more mellow it tastes. As far as raw materials are concerned, linen has a small impact on the environment. Cotton is the most heavily used pesticide
- Season
Both fabrics are suitable for wearing in spring and summer, and they are easy to match. Flax is more suitable for spring and summer because it is cooler and lighter, can quickly dissipate moisture, and does not contact the body, making it the first choice for young people. However, clothes made of linen are not suitable for winter wear. In some areas, the weather is relatively cold, and can even reach minus 20 degrees Celsius. Therefore, linen is not suitable for wearing at such low temperatures. The linen material itself is relatively cold, and wearing it in winter can make people feel very cold. Although cotton clothes are almost worn in spring, summer, autumn, and winter, more people choose linen in summer, but in autumn and winter, more people choose cotton clothes.
- Fashion
The simple and elegant temperament of linen is like a pleasant breeze, collecting and interpreting poetic artistic conception with the simplest fashion. People who are fashionable and elegant usually choose to wear linen.
Which Is The Best Choice For You
From the above description, you know the difference between cotton and linen. Which is the better choice? It depends on what type of clothing you want to make or buy, and what characteristics you want to look for in the fabric. Whether you want to wear a whimsical piece or a simple top, there is always a dilemma: which fabric is the most effective. Cotton is lightweight, soft, and affordable.
Unique for
Unique for Linen Dress
Although flax is more expensive, it is durable, strong, and breathable. Linen is a versatile choice. Whether it’s formal or casual attire, you can use linen clothing to create any charming outfit. You can pair linen with pants, jeans, or a dress. It can be worn as an office outfit, as well as for travel and vacation. The pleats on the linen skirt will add some personality and not be so monotonous. And linen is also more durable than cotton. The simple and elegant temperament of linen is like a pleasant breeze, collecting and interpreting poetic artistic conception in the simplest fashion language. For example, the linen skirt in the picture is paired with a crisp feel, so it is always lazy and stylish to wear. The natural wrinkles at the waist retain innocence and playfulness. The mother of pearl shell buttons looming under the cover skirt have an elegant holiday feel, but also appear slim and comfortable. I especially like this simple, textured clothing that can be casually worn out.
Unique for Cotten Dress
If you want to be the most dazzling and elegant woman in summer, want to be more environmentally friendly, make your clothes more breathable, refreshing, timeless, and pursue quality of life, then Long linen dress must be your first choice.
Although cotton is cheap, it is more skin friendly and breathable, suitable for most people.
As shown in the picture, a pure cotton embroidered dress full of texture, with a simple white and a high saturation of ginger yellow, a classic round neck, beautiful and generous, with a 9-quarter sleeve just below the elbow, revealing a beautiful curve of the forearm, and a slightly rounded silhouette that perfectly highlights the body. It is visually more elevated, with pockets at the side seams of the waist for storing things, making it easy to wear. The hem is lightweight and natural, setting off the slender legs, accompanied by a bit of sunset, spread in a leisurely life.
Cotton loses its soft, silky feel after repeated washing. Linen only gets better with age. This is an eternal piece of work, suitable for most occasions. Compared to cotton, linen is more beneficial to nature. Flax plants can thrive without pesticides. Flax also requires less water to grow.
If you want to be more comfortable, more colorful, and be a trendy and lazy trendsetter, then a cotton dress must be your favorite.
Everyone has different pursuits and ideas. I hope this article can help you solve your problems and choose the best outfit for you!
Conclusion
Do you travel with linen clothes or cotton clothes? Linen and cotton have their own advantages, and different people will pursue different styles. Wearing natural materials is becoming an essential thing for many people around the world. You may be a fan of cotton or linen, or you may be interested in both! To sum up, the above introductions have brought you their advantages, disadvantages, differences, and so on. You can select the ones that are more suitable for you based on these introductions. I prefer linen fabric because I like its versatility and advantages. Cotton and linen are highly breathable natural fibers.
PHALAR is a linen brand that has many famous designers, so its clothes are guaranteed to be comfortable and stylish at the same time. And, because it has a very good supply chain, its prices are very advantageous. Come and choose a linen clothes for yourself!
FAQ
Do you need to iron a linen dress?
Yes, you do. Linen fabrics are prone to shrinkage and wrinkling, especially when they are first put into the water after buying, and they become very wrinkled after washing. When the dress is dry until 90%, take off the clothes and fold them neatly, and then use a steam iron. It is best to choose the hanging iron, which is convenient to use and has a better wrinkle removal effect after ironing. Linen dress ironing needs to pay attention to the temperature, the temperature should be controlled between 200 °C ~ 230 °C, and iron when the dress is semi-dry, so that the ironing effect is the best.
Is linen more luxurious than cotton?
Yes, linen fabric is more expensive than cotton. This is due to all the amazing properties of linen that cotton does not have, such as longevity, moisture absorbance and eco-friendliness.
Is linen or cotton better for summer?
And while cotton is globally famous for being summer’s best fabric, linen is actually a much better choice. Not only is it extremely comfortable, but the natural fibre also manages to keep you cool & dry.
Is linen cooler than cotton?
If you compare linen vs cotton sheets in terms of breathability, another major difference emerges — linen will keep you much cooler at night because of its longer fibers and, therefore, looser weave. Air can pass through linen more easily, keeping your body cool.
Why do rich people wear linen?
Bed linen was coveted by the upper classes for its cool and soft feeling against the skin, becoming a mark of wealth and social standing.
Why are linen dresses so expensive?
Linen clothing is expensive because it’s hard to weave and isn’t as readily available as other natural fibers, such as cotton. Its manufacturing is a laborious and timely process. Linen fabric production costs twice as much as cotton production.
What is the rule of wearing linen?
The rule of tucks is pretty simple: long-sleeved linen shirts should be tucked in (with sleeves folded up some), while short-sleeved boxy shirts can be left untucked.
Can a linen dress be formal?
It always depends on the design of the dress, but you can most definitely find yourself wearing a linen dress to a formal event, from fine dining to an art gallery opening.
Is linen dress too casual?
Dress it up or down. The nature of linen means that linen clothing is usually saved for casual occasions, but when worn in the correct mix of fabrics it can also be great for work – or slightly dressy affairs. The smarter linen pieces are a tailored blazer, a-line dress or button down shift dress.
How can you tell if a dress is linen?
So if you want to find out which fabric is linen and which is cotton, wet your finger in clean water and then press it against the fabric. The fabric where the stain will absorb faster and penetrate the other way will be linen. Linen yarn has fewer fibers on the surface than cotton yarn.
Relevant recommendation：