You already know how much we love linen, and we recently shared our thoughts on the topic in a blog post here.
Today, we want to go even deeper and explore the sustainability aspect of linen.
At Grae Cove, we're all about making better choices when it comes to the fabrics we use in our clothing. We want you to feel good about your purchases, especially when buying new, because second-hand may not always be possible or an option. That's why we chose linen as the first fabric for our collections. It just makes sense for us, and we're proud to be doing our part to be more responsible.
Linen Requires Fewer Water, Chemicals, and Pesticides
Linen comes from the flax plant, known as
Linum usitatissimum, and has a rich history dating back thousands of years. According to Science, linen is more than 36,000 years old. Ancient Egyptians were known to have loved linen so much, they were mummified in it!
Not only is it a part of history, but it's also a sustainable choice. People commonly ask, "Linen vs. cotton, which is more sustainable?" Unlike conventionally grown cotton, the flax plant, from which linen is derived, can be grown without the use of harmful chemicals, pesticides, and irrigation. It also takes less water to grow linen than cotton.
At Grae Cove, we're working hard to source organic linen fabrics at accessible prices, so you can feel confident knowing that the products you're buying are free from harmful pesticides.
It's not just the growing process that's sustainable - nothing goes to waste in linen production. You can read more about how linen is made here. You've probably used or heard about the health benefits of flaxseeds (we can always improve our digestive health, am I right?) Other parts of the plant can be made into make useful products, such as dollar bills (the US dollar bill comprises of 25% linen). Pretty impressive, huh?
Harmful dyes or chemicals can be introduced to produce linen fabric. But, Grae Cove's products are 100% European linen and is certified Oeko-Tex Standard 100. See our certificate from one of our linen sources below:
Consider the Whole Lifecycle of Linen...
Did you know that linen fabric is about 2 or 3 times stronger than cotton? And, what's even more remarkable is that linen gets even stronger when it's wet. As we know, the durability of linen clothing is one factor. We must also take into account how our linen clothing is constructed. Higher quality construction PLUS longer lasting fabric means a product that will last for years to come.
As you are aware, we have our workshops based in China. We believe in being transparent and open about where our products are made. We also understand that ethical labor practices are just as important as sustainability, which is why we go above and beyond to make sure our tailors are compensated fairly for their excellent work.
Our linen fashions are meant to be loved for life.
Unfortunately, all goods things must eventually come to an end, but the beauty of linen is that it biodegrades naturally. Our linen tops, linen dresses, linen pants can be be up-cycled (we've seen some cool DIY projects here) and even recycled into insulation.
We're not perfect. But, we're always striving to make responsible choices.
Last but not least, in addition to our remarkable linen clothing collection, we invite you to explore our latest addition: the exquisite linen bedding collection.
Xx,
Sam