U5 FASHION STUDIO

What is Linen ?

Linen is very strong and absorbent and dries faster thancotton. Because of these properties, linen is comfortable to wear in hot weather and is valued for use in garments. Linen textiles can be made from flax plant fiber, yarn, as well as woven and knitted. Linen also has other distinctive characteristics, such as its tendency to wrinkle.^[1]It takes significantly longer to harvest than a material like cotton although both are natural fibers. It is also more difficult to weave than cotton.^[2]

Linen textiles appear to be some of the oldest in the world; their history goes back many thousands of years. Dyed flax fibers found in a cave in Southeastern Europe (present-dayGeorgia) suggest the use of woven linen fabrics from wild flax may date back over 30,000 years.^[3]Linen was used in ancient civilizations includingMesopotamia^[4]andancient Egypt, and linen is mentioned in theBible. In the 18th century and beyond, the linen industry was important in the economies of several countries in Europe as well as the American colonies.

What is Cotton ?

Cottonis a soft, fluffystaple fiberthat grows in aboll, or protective case, around the seeds of the cotton plants of the genusGossypiumin the mallow familyMalvaceae. The fiber is almost purecellulose, and can contain minor percentages ofwaxes,fats,pectins, andwater. Under natural conditions, the cotton bolls will increase the dispersal of the seeds.

The plant is ashrubnative to tropical and subtropical regions around the world, including the Americas, Africa, Egypt and India. The greatest diversity of wild cotton species is found in Mexico, followed by Australia and Africa.^[1]Cotton was independently domesticated in the Old and New Worlds.^[2]

The fiber is most oftenspunintoyarnor thread and used to make a soft,breathable, and durabletextile. The use of cotton for fabric is known to date to prehistoric times; fragments of cotton fabric dated to the fifth millennium BC have been found in theIndus Valley civilization, as well as fabric remnants dated back to 4200 BC inPeru. Although cultivated since antiquity, it was the invention of thecotton ginthat lowered the cost of production that led to its widespread use, and it is the most widely usednatural fibercloth in clothing today.