There comes a moment when many put a linen garment back: when they see that it creases. The reflex is understandable, yet wrong. Because the crease in linen is not a flaw, but proof that it is real linen.
Linen is made from flax, a fiber with little elasticity. Precisely this property, which causes it to crease, also makes it more breathable and cooler than almost any other fabric. A material that doesn't stick to the body in the heat requires a compromise in another area — and that area is the crease.
Those who want smooth perfection will find it in synthetic fabrics. They look the same in the morning as they do in the evening because nothing moves in them. Linen moves. Every crease is in a different place than the last time it was worn; no two linen pieces look exactly alike. It bears the traces of the day it was worn.
The best part: linen gets softer with every wash. A new linen shirt feels structured, almost stiff. After the tenth wash, it feels as if you've owned it forever. The fabric works its way into your life instead of staying the same.
