I deep attraction and respect for linen. The more I wear it, the more I fall in love. If my outfit looks like I stepped into southern Spain or southern France, I’m happy.
This past week was muggy, the air was thick.
The boys and I dropped our daughter off at school and took the dog for a walk as we usually do in the morning. I quickly realized my current outfit was not appropriate for the day.
Sweating, I came back home and slipped into a linen dress. Instantly refreshed, instantly calm, instantly regulated.
Once you wear linen, you never go back.
Once you sleep on linen, you really never go back.
Linen breathes life, it moves with you, and it only gets better with time.
Linen meets the demands of the day—it adapts to meet your current needs. Linen keeps you cool in the heat and insulates in the cooler seasons.
Linen naturally wicks away moisture and is naturally anti-bacterial. “Moisture wicking” and athletic style fabrics of modern times rely on chemicals and toxins to create the fabric (another story for another day, we avoid them in our house), but linen does this on its own.
The French word lingerie came from the root linen as original undergarments were made of linen due to the natural antibacterial and breathable properties of the fabric.
Historically, medical bandages were made from linen because it is naturally antibacterial and pathogen-resistant—the fabric wicks away moisture without trapping bacteria. This is why bed linens are called linens because of their historic medicinal use both in ancient times and in more 19th and 20th century hospital settings.
In war settings, volunteers and nurses would sterilize and roll linen to create reusable wound dressings.
The ancient Egyptians used this prized fabric to embalm the dead. Linen is so durable that many of these ancient fabrics are still intact.
In the Bible, linen is mentioned as a prized fabric signify purity, holiness and and honor. “Make the tabernacle with ten curtains of finely twisted linen and blue, purple and scarlet yarn” - Exodus 26
As someone who naturally runs hot, and struggles in the heat, wearing and sleeping on linen has changed my outlook on the draining heat of the summer. When the breeze catches linen on a hot summer day, you feel bliss.
Natural fibers are the foundation of my wardrobe, it’s hard to mess up linen with chemicals (sadly the way many cotton pieces are now-a-days) because the fabric is so pure itself.
Linen is quite durable and resilient, however I always wash lights with lights, and usually pop my linen in the air dryer for 10 minutes then hang dry. The fabric gets softer with time.
This white linen button down from AYR is quite honestly the most beautiful shift I have ever owned. An elevated feel, lightweight and breezy for the summer heat. The loose fit is perfect. It will be a shift I wear all year round, with a sweater in the cooler months.
I’ve owned this linen dress for years and it is a staple in my closet. I purchased it before my 4th baby and wore it before, during and after pregnancy. I love it with a sweater in the cooler months. Super durable and great to dress up or down with sneakers.
I love a good linen t-shirt because they just drape perfectly and always feel elevated with jeans, a nicer skirt or biker shorts. This one is breezy and a bit oversized—cream has the best buttery color. The shirt I reach for on the hottest of days.
I splurged on these linen drawstring pants last summer, about 30 weeks pregnant, and still wear them now. They are on wash and wear on repeat. Truly the most dreamy pant. I actually wear them all year round too.
I have had my eye on this pleated white linen button down skirt for a while. The details are so feminine. I know it would be a staple for years to come. As well as this pointelle linen button down polo—so cute with high waisted jeans. Love all the feminine details.
As someone who lived in Spain for a few years, I adore this Spanish brand Maria Dela Orden. Her styles are so refreshing and unique. Currently eyeing these wide leg ocean blue linen pants as a staple wardrobe edition.
These light pearl pink linen pants with a high waist are equally dreamy with a bit more tailored structure. Her pieces are made with top quality natural fabrics and always wash and wear so well, they really stand the test of time and with 4 kids, I wear my clothes hard.
If Only If has been a recent closet edition. Their pieces are so feminine, slightly oversized and breezy (I usually wear a medium but chose a small). They are sheer but a great house dress and nightie or wear with a slip out and about. Not linen, but my favorite piece is their Clover nightdress.
I have owned this thin blue stripped linen button down for over 6 years now and wear it on repeat. You do have to steam or iron down the area around the buttons as it does wrinkle a bit but it’s honestly my most worn shirt in the closet. I’ve breastfed all 3 boys though this shirt, oh the memories. Their Jameson linen skirt has my heart, because of our own baby Jameson.
This is where my love for linen began.
As a hot sleeper, linen sheets have forever changed my sleep in all the best ways. It breathes with you and regulates your temperature no matter the season. I truly sleep SO much better on linen and notice a big difference when I sleep on other sheets outside my home. Linen sheets get softer after a few washes, and then even more soft with every wash.
We rotate through these, these and these. 2 years for my birthday I got sheets, because king sheets are a heavy price tag. You know you are in your 30s when you happily ask for sheets!
These oatmeal stripped sheets are on our bed and also our guest bed. They are the best price point for linen sheets, I can’t say I love everything about the brand or their clothing, but I have been very happy with the sheets.
I have my eye on these ruffled linen pillow cases because I love having extra pillow cases on hand to swap out every few days to keep things fresh.
We have had this linen duvet cover and shams on our bed for 8 years now and it still looks fabulous. We have it in white, which is so refreshing and crisp—my boys jump on it daily so it hold up. An investment piece that’s worth it.
Currently eyeing these floral linen cotton sheets for my daughter when she needs another set.
View my entire linen edit here… because getting dress and getting into bed should feel fabulous.
xx Caroline
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